Author: barush

4 Traits of a Successful Business Owner in RGV “Do you have what it takes?”

Posted on March 31, 2022 by barush - Entrepreneurs

Starting a business can be difficult. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20 percent of small businesses fail within their first year. And, with 2.7 million small businesses in Texas, the state is both a welcoming place for new businesses, and a space where you will need to overcome stiff competition to survive.

What makes the difference between a successful business owner and one who is forced to close up shop? It often comes down to a few key traits that define your approach to business. Here is a look at 4 of the traits that most successful RGV business owners have in common.

1. Budget-Minded

While managing facts and figures may not be the most exciting part of running a business, sound financial management is central to the success of companies of any size. For small businesses facing tight profit margins, savvy budgeting can be the difference between survival and failure.

That is why budget-minded businesses owners are more likely to succeed. Being financially wise includes being able to do all of the following:

Create budgets
Stick to budgets
Manage cash flow
Reduce expenses
Spend wisely
Conduct financial planning
Free up capital to reach future goals
Conduct financial checkups

Part of making wise financial decisions for your business is finding the right office space. While renting office space can often be extremely expensive, particularly for financially limited small businesses, affordable and professional workspaces can help a business thrive.

Here at Via, we offer affordable, all-inclusive, and diverse workspaces for businesses of all sizes. If you hope to run a financially sound business, exploring these office spaces could help you find the right space at the right price.

2. Resilient

Running a business has its challenges. When difficulties arise, how you handle them can either help or hurt your company. Successful business owners in the RGV consistently demonstrate resilience: The ability to keep going in the face of challenges, and the ability to get up and try again after experiencing a setback.

For example, the COVID-19 pandemic was an unexpected and near-fatal blow to many RGV businesses. In the struggle to stay afloat, those business owners who were able to pivot in order to navigate the turbulent pandemic waters (e.g Taking advantage of small business loans within the Valley, moving business online, etc.) fared much better than those who were not.

Persistence and creativity are key elements in resilience. Business owners who can think outside the box, take necessary risks, and keep going no matter what are far more likely to see their entrepreneurial dreams succeed.

3. Passionate

Passion is the driver of any successful business owner. Because running a business does have many challenges (and long hours), loving what you do is essential in giving you the motivation you need to succeed.

This passion is also an important ingredient in getting others invested in your business as well. Employees who believe in your company’s mission. Customers who keep coming back because they love what you have to offer. Their passion starts with yours – And the stronger you feel about your company and goals, the more excited they will be as well.

4. Goal-Oriented

Running a business involves taking risks, spending money, and making endless decisions. The only way to do all of this successfully is to do so with specific goals in mind.

Successful business owners in the RGV succeed in part because of their ability to envision, set, and pursue specific goals for their business. Perhaps they want to add a satellite office in McAllen. Maybe they want to increase sales in Edinburg. Maybe they need to target a new audience. Maybe they need a fancy suite for their beauty business.

These concrete goals, and the concrete steps necessary to reach them, are what turn a business from an idea into a thriving local company.

Here at Via Executive Suites, we want to help small business owners like you succeed in the Valley. That is why we provide all-inclusive, professional office suites throughout the Rio Grande Valley. With our low prices, and beautiful accommodations, you have everything what it takes to thrive in the Valley.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Workspace in RGV Area

Posted on March 14, 2022 by barush - Office space

One of the biggest concerns small businesses have when it comes to finding office space is the expense – and rightfully so. Renting workspaces can cost businesses tens of thousands of dollars a year (or more). Signing a lease you cannot afford can cause long-term financial problems for your business.

That is why one of the first steps to finding office space for rent is to do your research about the costs in your desired area – and to set a budget that is both realistic and affordable. To help you with this research, we have gathered information on how much workspace for rent costs in the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg area, and factors that can affect the cost, so you can find the right workspace for your needs and your budget.

Overview

The greater McAllen area is a very affordable place to find office space compared to bigger cities, like New York, which can cost $100 per square foot per year, or Atlanta, which costs just under $4,200 per year per employee.

Even when compared to the national average of $8-$23 per square foot per month, McAllen workspaces for rent come in lower. Some spaces cost as little as 90 cents per square foot per month.

However, even in McAllen, you can find spaces that run much more than this low price- Some of the area’s most expensive office spaces cost between $25 and $28 per square foot per month.

Variable Costs

Clearly, small businesses can find a huge variation in rental costs in the greater McAllen area. So how can a business find a space that fits both their budget and their needs?

A number of factors influence just how much a space will cost, and arming yourself with the right information can help you ensure that you get the best value for your dollar when you look for an office lease.

Here is a look at some of the most important factors that influence the price per square foot of leased workspaces in the Greater McAllen area:

Location

McAllen Business Center

Businesses want office space in a visible, populated location where customers will see and easily access their business. As a result, office spaces in downtown areas tend to be in higher demand, and cost more, than offices on the outskirts of town.

For example, office space in Tribeca Square, which is located in central McAllen right off Expressway 83, goes for $26 per square foot per month in McAllen, while the Jackson Building in the eastern part of the city goes for $8/sq. ft../mo.

Building

The type of building in which the office space is located can also influence the cost of the workspace in the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg area. Commercial properties are divided into three classes: A, B, and C. The newest, nicest buildings fall into the Class A category, with Classes B and C referring to gradually less well-kept facilities.

Class A buildings rent for the most money per month, while Class C buildings tend to cost the least amount of money (but you may end up in a building that does not present the professional image you need).

For example, Commerce Center West in McAllen is a Class A building where rents run about $17/sq. ft. Meanwhile, in the Class C McAllen Business Center, rents range from 90 cents to $10.80 per square foot.

Amenities

Often, office spaces for rent in the greater McAllen area include amenities that can make office life easier and more accessible. Amenities you may wish to take advantage of include the following:

Parking
Security
Included utilities
Janitorial services
Kitchenette and refreshments
Break rooms and conference rooms
Office equipment and furnishings
Bilingual staff
Virtual business address

Typically, the more amenities you get with your office space, the more money you will pay every month. Amenities can drive up costs in two ways: 1) They can drive up the rent you pay per square foot, or 2) they may be added on as extra fees to your monthly charges.

The good news for small businesses is that workspace for rent in the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg area is available, and affordable. You do, however, have to enter your search with a clear idea of your needs regarding size, location, amenities, and more.

Here at Via Executive Suites, we offer versatile professional workspaces at an affordable price. Our low prices include a wide variety of amenities, from parking to security, common areas to bilingual front desk staff. Discover why our RGV locations are making work better in the Valley!

5 Benefits of Bilingual Front Desk Staff

Posted on February 25, 2022 by barush - Office space

With about 53 million Spanish speakers in the United States, and almost 7 million Spanish speakers in Texas alone, communicating with people in their preferred language is increasingly important for the health and success of your business. Enter bilingual front desk staff. With the ability to communicate equally well with any customer, they offer a wealth of advantages that can support customer satisfaction, and your business growth.

Bilingual front desk staff break down communication barriers.

Clear, complete communication is important for any relationship. For the relationship between your business and your consumers, it is indispensable. From finding your business, to understanding your products and services, to handling complaints, you and your customers need to understand each other.

Bilingual front desk staff can help by breaking down communication barriers between you and your customers by easily conversing in their preferred language. Here are a few ways a bilingual receptionist can smooth interactions for your business:

Answer questions clearly and completely
Convey a professional and welcoming voice for your business
Reduce customer frustrations
Educate consumers about your business
Guide potential customers directly to your business

When you choose an office space rental for your company, seeking a location that provides you with bilingual front desk staff can give you an affordable way to create smooth and rewarding communications with every customer.

Bilingual front desk staff provide access to new markets.

If your business only communicates in one language, you automatically limit your potential markets to those who speak that language. Limited markets mean limited sales and limited ROI.

Bilingual front desk staff can help. By giving you a way to communicate with customers in their preferred language, these staff members allow you to reach entirely new groups of people. Your English-based business can now communicate with, and sell to, Spanish speakers, for example.

With a broader base to target, your business can grow, earning new sales, new profits, and new ROI. Consider the financial benefits of choosing an office rental space that provides you with bilingual front desk staff.

Bilingual front desk staff give your business a professional image.

Your business needs to compete with others like it throughout the RGV. Impressing potential customers isn’t always easy, especially if you are competing with big businesses or many other companies in the same industry.

Bilingual front desk staff can help by giving your business a professional, and unforgettable, image. Not every business can cater to customers’ preferred languages, but if YOUR business can, you immediately make an impression on your customers.

They will remember the business that was professional enough to serve them in their language, kind enough to put their preferences first, and competent enough to communicate with them clearly. That is an ideal way to stand out from everyone else.

Bilingual front desk staff cultivate customer loyalty.

Loyal customers become repeat customers, and they become word-of-mouth referrals to their friends and family. Stellar customer service is an important way to cultivate this loyalty, and bilingual front desk staff are key to delivering this high level of attention to your consumers.

Bilingual staff are not common, even in the RGV. Customers who discover a friendly, professional receptionist who can communicate in their language are more likely to return to the business that meets their communication needs and send their family and friends your way.

Bilingual front desk staff help your business grow.

Ultimately, front desk staff can contribute to the success of your business. Because they cultivate clear communication, customer satisfaction and loyalty, word-of-mouth referrals, and access to new markets, they make it possible to earn new customers and create repeat business. As your business establishes itself as a welcoming and professional presence in the RGV, you can expect to see your customers, and your ROI, increase, and that makes it easier to reach all of your business goals.

Bilingual front desk staff are a treasure that can make your customers happier and your business more successful. When you pursue office space rental, look for a location, such as Via Executive Suites, that provides this support for your company. Here at Via, all of our locations offer bilingual front desk staff who can smooth communication and impress your customers. Contact us today to learn about all the ways we can make better work possible in the Valley.

How to Find Small Office Space for Rent in McAllen

Posted on January 13, 2022 by barush - Office space

If you are a small business owner who is ready to rent your first office space in McAllen, then you are about to embark on an exciting journey in the growth of your company. A professional space will help you continue to grow by providing a welcoming environment for customers and a distraction-free area for your employees to work.

If the process of finding the right small office space for rent in McAllen feels a little daunting, start with this guide. Determining your needs, using an experienced agent, touring the most promising space, and negotiating a fair lease will get you up and running in your new space in no time.

Determine your square footage needs.

Before you begin looking for office space in McAllen, you need to determine exactly how much square footage you require. That information will help you to set a reasonable budget and evaluate your rental options.

A good rule of thumb is to calculate 150 square feet per employee. Then, you should add about 30 percent more square footage to account for shared areas, such as kitchenettes and conference rooms.

For example, if your small business has 10 employees, you would require 1,500 square feet of space, plus an additional 450 square feet of shared space, for a total of 1,950 square feet of office space.

If you anticipate rapid future growth, you may also want to add in about 10 percent more square footage to ensure that your business can grow comfortably over the next few years without requiring you to break your lease. In our example, then, your business would require about 2,145 square feet of space.

Determine your layout requirements.

In addition to sheer square footage, chances are your business requires a certain layout. For example, your tech company may thrive in an open and collaborative space, while your beauty salon needs stations set up for clients and your doctor’s office needs exam rooms. Make a note of these layout needs in order to narrow down your options to just those offices that will actually serve your business well.

Decide where to locate your small business.

Location is everything when it comes to satisfying employees and clients alike. For example, the downtown Arts District in McAllen will provide much easier access to public transportation, your target audiences, and other professional businesses than an office building on the outskirts of town. When looking for the right location, consider the following factors:

Parking and public transportation availability
Proximity to your employees’ residences
Proximity to your desired clientele
Visibility to pedestrians
Walkability of the area
Desirability and safety of the surrounding area

Just keep in mind that you may have to balance budget and location, so be ready with multiple potential areas of town that could serve your business well.

Establish a budget.

No one wants to tour a beautiful Class A office space only to discover that the only affordable spaces are Class B buildings outside downtown.

Avoid disappointment, and ensure that you get the best possible office space for your money, by setting a budget before you start to look.

First, research the average price per square foot to rent office space in McAllen. Right now, rates vary from about $2 per square foot to $25 per square foot, depending upon the type of office space you want to rent and the area where it is located.

Once you determine an average cost for the square footage, you should add in common area maintenance (CAM) fees. These are fees your landlord will leverage to help pay for the cost of repairing and maintaining common areas, such as stairways and elevators. You should add about 15 percent to your budget to account for these fees.

Finally, you will need to add in a budget for utilities. In McAllen, the average commercial utility rate is 8.16 cents/Kwh, and the average commercial monthly electricity bill in Texas is $668.

With your lease, CAM fees, and utility fees accounted for, you are ready to begin the search for small office space in McAllen.

Hire a real estate broker.

While you can look for commercial rentals on your own, you will benefit from the expertise of a tenant-broker. This professional works on your behalf to help you find, negotiate, and close on a lease that is right for your small business.

The broker can benefit your small business office space search in the following ways:

Identify available properties that meet your requirements
Provide access to pocket listings that are not officially on the market yet
Help you navigate the negotiation process
Offer local knowledge of the best areas, properties, and deals
Save you time on researching properties
Communicate on your behalf with the landlord
Arrange and attend tours with you

Tour potential offices.

Once you know what you need in an office, and you have a tenant-broker to help you search, you can begin touring potential small office spaces in McAllen.

Your agent can help you narrow down your search to properties that meet your requirements (e.g. Location, square footage, layout, etc.) and then arrange tours for you of the most promising spaces.

Before you go on your tour, take note of the following:

Type of building and office space
Promised amenities
Security features
History of the building
Advertised features

On the tour, you will want to take note of the following important aspects of the building that can make or break your decision to lease there:

Other tenants (Do they mesh with your professional brand?)
State of the building (Is it in good repair?)
Parking (Is it ample?)
Proximity to public transportation (Is it convenient for employees?)
Surrounding areas (Is it safe and desirable?)
Amenities and features (Are they as promised?)
Accessibility (Is it ADA-compliant?)

If you have questions or concerns about any part of the building, be sure to communicate with your agent and the landlord. Perhaps repairs can be made to that old elevator, or maybe there is parking in the back you didn’t see. Once you have a clear idea of what every property has to offer, you can decide which one is right for you.

Negotiate the lease.

Once you have THE property for your small business, it is time to negotiate your lease. This process can be a little tricky, depending upon how straightforward the fees are in the lease. For example, a full service lease will include all utilities, repair, and maintenance expenses, while a net lease or gross monthly lease will separate these fees out.

Make sure before you sign that you understand the terms of the lease and what your monthly obligations will be. You should also be aware of terms such as the following:

Rent increases
Additional expenses (e.g. Are any amenities extra?)
Length of the lease

Once you sign your lease, you will get to enjoy having a professional office space where your small business can thrive in McAllen.

Here at Via Executive Suites, we make it easy to find small office space for rent in McAllen by offering 3 office locations in McAllen and one in Edinburg. These versatile, state-of-the-art spaces come with fair leases and endless amenities. From bilingual front desk staff to 24/7 security, these features, and our offices’ ideal locations, make our offices perfect for small businesses looking for a great professional space where they can thrive. Making better work achievable in the Valley-That is Via. Contact us today to learn more!

When to Use a Virtual Business Address vs. A Home Address

Posted on December 28, 2021 by barush - Uncategorized

Home-based small businesses enjoy many advantages, from lower costs to a great commute. However, when it comes to giving clients your business address, working from home can present some problems.

Virtual offices can help. A virtual office is a real address in a real office building. Often, virtual offices also include access to meeting rooms, front-desk services to handle mail and greet clients, and other perks.

With a virtual office in the RGV, you can keep most of your small business operations at home, while enjoying many of the advantages of a professional office space. Here is a look at some of the reasons to choose a virtual office address over a home address for your business.

Use a virtual office address when you want privacy.

Your small business needs to be out there to get attention and earn customers, but that does not mean you want your personal home address available to anyone online.

If you use your home address for your business address, your home address becomes easily Googled by any curious individual. Even keeping your address off the Internet cannot guarantee privacy: Publicly-available business records will require, and include, your business address.

A virtual office address, however, makes it easy to protect your home and family from the prying eyes of the general public. You can legally include that address as your business address on any paperwork, records, or advertising, keeping your home address as your own private information.

Use a virtual office address for a professional appearance.

You want customers to respect your business. That respect becomes harder to earn when your address is located in a residential neighborhood.

Presenting a polished and professional appearance to your customers is easier, however, when you use a virtual office address vs. a home address. Virtual offices are usually located in office buildings in professional areas of town, such as the Arts District in McAllen.

That means that customers who pick up your business card or look you up online see that your business is located in a desirable part of town, and that makes your business appear more trustworthy, professional, and put-together than a business that operates out of a house.

Use a virtual office address for professional meeting space.

Working out of your home may be convenient and cost-effective, but when you need to meet with customers, it may become uncomfortable. Not only do you need to give clients your personal address, but you risk losing their respect, and their business, by welcoming them into a residential home instead of a professional office space.

Using a virtual office address instead of a home address gives you the opportunity to access professional meeting space as well. Many virtual office providers in the RGV, such as Via Executive Suites, include meeting spaces in their virtual office offerings.

Whether you need to reserve the space ahead of time, or get access to space as part of your virtual office package, this ability to meet with clients at a professional location, in a professional space, makes it easier for you to impress investors, put together a great board meeting, or earn more business.

Use a virtual office address to protect your LLC.

Limited liability corporations, called LLCs, offer protection to the small business owner. Business debts and liabilities are, as the name implies, limited, which keeps the business owner from losing their personal property or savings because of their business.

However, by using a home address for your LLC, you risk blurring the lines between your personal life and your professional life. As a result, your LLC protections may not keep you safe from personal liability for business debts.

Using a virtual office address, however, maintains the separation between your personal life and your business. That means that you can enjoy the full advantages of your LLC and protect yourself from financial trouble in the event that your business faces serious debt or other financial issues.

Use a virtual office address to comply with lease and HOA regulations.

Sometimes, running a business out of your home is not allowed according to the terms of your lease or the rules of your HOA.

In these cases, you can avoid landlord conflicts and consequences from your HOA by using a virtual office. With a virtual office address, the headquarters of your business move from your home to a professional office building.

That can bring your business into alignment with relevant regulations and ease your relationships with your landlord or HOA.

Use a virtual office address if you want to avoid moving issues.

If you anticipate moving more frequently than your business, say from Edinburg to McAllen or McAllen to Pharr, you may want a virtual office address. Every time you move, you will need to change the address of your business as well if you are working out of your home.

That makes it more likely that important mail will be left behind at your old location. In addition, you will face the time-consuming inconvenience of updating records, alerting clients, changing business cards, updating your website, and more.

With a virtual business address, you can keep the same address even when you personally relocate. That stability is better for you and for your customers.

If you are looking to improve your company’s professional appearance, and make life easier on yourself, you may want to consider a virtual office with Via Executive Suites. We provide virtual offices across four locations in the RGV. These offices make it easy for small businesses to cost-effectively and conveniently maintain a professional address and amenities while still running their business primarily out of their home.

Top 7 Reasons Why It’s Better to Lease Office Space

Posted on December 15, 2021 by barush - Office space

With 3 million small businesses (PDF) employing almost 5 million people, Texas is an entrepreneurial hub. However, that does not mean finding great office space within your budget is always easy. Rather than spend your precious time and dollars purchasing offices, consider these 7 reasons to consider leasing office space for your RGV enterprise.

1. Lower Costs

Buying office space can be expensive. In McAllen, for example, the purchase price of office space ranges anywhere from $500,000 to more than $5,000,000.

In comparison, leasing office space is often much less costly. For example, upfront costs are lower, because you do not need to provide a down payment or closing costs.

Long-term costs are also lower, because you do not need to budget for maintenance or utilities. Even your taxes are lower, thanks to deductible rent payments.

You can even save money by not paying high real estate prices for offices in the most desirable, and professional, areas of town. Leasing may end up costing you less than a mortgage payment for an office. Those lower costs can make obtaining your ideal office space easy and affordable, even on the traditionally tight small-business budget.

2. Improved Cash Flow

Lower costs create another advantage of leasing office space: Improved cash flow. Instead of sinking business capital into real estate, you can keep it on hand to make investments in other business necessities.

For example, as more and more RGV small businesses move toward online sales, you may need cash on hand to make that move for your own business.

Regardless of what you use it for, having more cash on hand can make responding to market changes, hiring needs, and growth opportunities much faster and easier than if you had spent your money on a large down payment or high annual taxes.

3. Growth Opportunity

The goal of every small business is to grow. Purchasing an office space can make it harder to achieve that goal by locking you into a particular space that does not grow with you.

What if your business suffers a setback and you can no longer afford a large office area? What if your business grows rapidly and you find yourself needing more offices in a year or two?

Leasing makes it possible to change as your business changes. No waiting to build equity in your real estate. No struggling to sell your office. Just change your lease when your needs change and keep growing without restrictions.

4. Desirable Location

Your office location is the very first impression customers have of your company. You want to make a good one with a location that is professional, upscale, and convenient.

Unfortunately, offices in these kinds of locations, such as the Arts District in McAllen or the courthouse area of Edinburg, tend to be very expensive. They may not be affordable for small businesses that are just starting out.

Leasing your office space, however, makes it possible to place your business in the best parts of town without exceeding your budget. You can move into that stylish downtown office more quickly and begin impressing customers with a great location on your website and business cards.

5. Office Amenities

Chances are that your business needs more than just office space. You will likely need other amenities to keep your business secure, attractive, and running smoothly.

Many office spaces for rent provide these amenities free of charge. Consider, for example, all of the benefits you receive when you lease space from Via Executive Suites:

24/7 security
Friendly and bilingual office staff
Ground maintenance
Conference rooms
Mediation rooms
Patio space
Break rooms
Complimentary Starbucks coffee
And more

These amenities not only create a more rewarding work environment. They also save your small business time and money, since you do not have to implement or pay for any of these services as you would have to do if you purchased your office space.

6. Flexibility

Your business needs are, in some ways, unique. Finding office space that can fit your needs and flex with your business is important if you want to thrive.

Purchasing an office space can limit you in some ways. As mentioned above, you may have difficulty moving to a larger or smaller space when your business changes.

In addition, you may find that purchasing your office space reduces your financial flexibility. With a leased office, you can change your office space when your lease is up, allowing you to pursue less expensive options if your budget requires it, but also putting larger spaces within reach if you desire them.

7. Built-In Maintenance

Office spaces often require significant maintenance in order to keep them looking nice. For example, parking lots must be paved, and potholes filled in. Light bulbs must be changed. Landscaping has to be kept up as the seasons change.

When you lease an office space, your landlord handles the maintenance of the building, including all of the following tasks:

Groundskeeping
Parking maintenance
Minor repairs
Major building improvements

In addition, instead of renovating a space to fit your needs (e.g. Turning a space into a hair salon), you may be able to find an office space for rent that is already configured to your business needs.

For example, here at Via, we provide a variety of office spaces that are designed for almost any function your business serves. From executive offices to virtual offices to beauty suites, you can find a space in the RGV that requires minimal restructuring for your business.

Leasing office space is easy and rewarding with Via Executive Suites. Our 4 business centers offer a variety of offices that come with an array of amenities. Make better work achievable for your RGV business, and contact us today about leasing office space through Via.

What Should You Look for in Meeting Rooms in the RGV?

Posted on November 29, 2021 by barush - Conference room

When you have an important meeting, whether that be an employee brainstorming session or a client presentation, you need a dedicated space for a productive get together. You need a meeting room.

Not all meeting rooms are the same, however. Renting the first space you find could leave you with a conference room that simply does not meet your needs. Instead, take the time to find a meeting room in the RGV that has all of the following features:

Professional Design

The environment of a meeting room has a big impact on how a meeting goes. A professional design can reflect well on you and your business, particularly if you are getting together with clients. The right design can also encourage creativity and productivity among team members. Look for an RGV meeting room with design features such as the following:

Light, bright, or soothing colors
A large conference table with space for technology integration
Modern, beautiful furniture
Professional and welcoming front-desk staff
Comfortable and ergonomic seating
Professional and welcoming design
Matching furniture for storage and refreshment
Clutter-free environment

A professional meeting room also makes a strong first impression on attendees. That means that as soon as you enter the room, you should encounter a room that is spacious, welcoming, and beautiful.

Privacy

Many meetings that take place in a conference room in the RGV include sensitive or private information. From trade secrets to client data to business performance stats, these topics need to be discussed in an environment that ensures privacy.

The right meeting room will make privacy a priority in a number of ways. Look for a space that includes the following features:

Soundproofing
Doors
Quiet location
Noninvasive sightlines

With a private space, you can hold even the most sensitive meetings with the confidence that your private information will remain secure.

Collaborative Technology

In the world of remote work, technology that unites team members from around the city, state, or even world is essential in any meeting room in the RGV. Ensure that your conference room is equipped with everything you need to make collaboration easier, for both the people meeting in person and those connecting to the meeting virtually. These technological features can include any of the following:

All-in-one video conferencing
Whiteboards and/or smartboards
Speakers and microphones
High-speed Wi-Fi
Projector
Ample and well-placed outlets and jacks
Printers and copiers

In addition, ensure that the RGV meeting room you choose has a layout that encourages collaboration and video conferencing. For example, the space should be situated so that the background of videos is appropriate and professional and that video attendees get a strong line of sight to important areas of the room, such as the whiteboard or the presentation screen.

Ample Space

The amount of space in your conference room is also important in delivering the appropriate impression to your employees or clients. If your space is too small, you could end up feeling crowded and uncomfortable. If your space is too large, you could end up feeling a little lost around a huge conference table.

Before you choose a meeting room in the RGV, know how many people will be there, and look for a space that will comfortably accommodate everyone.

You may also want to consider the seating arrangement in the space. For example, a classroom layout works for a training session, while a u-shaped layout works for group collaboration and smaller meetings.

The best conference rooms are customizable, which means you can adjust the layout based on your meeting needs. That kind of flexibbility makes it simple to adjust your space to your needs, and can allow you to adapt quickly to any last-minute changes to your meeting, presentation, or atttendees.

On-Site Support

There is nothing that stalls a meeting more quickly than technical difficulties. That is why a meeting room in the RGV should come with on-site support that can quickly resolve any problems that arise during your meeting.

In addition, look for a space that has front-desk services, where guests can go with any questions they have, receive a warm welcome upon arrival, and provide any support you need during the meeting.

The right space can make your meeting more productive and less stressful. When looking for an RGV conference room, seek out a space that boasts a professional design, privacy, collaborative technology, ample space, and on-site support.

Here at Via Executive Suites, we offer some of the most professional, welcoming, and supportive meeting rooms in the RGV so you can prepare for a successful meeting. If you want to learn more about our conference rooms, or our other workspace solutions, contact us today. We want to make better work achievable for you!

Why Rent a Fully Furnished Office Space?

Posted on November 18, 2021 by barush - Uncategorized

When it comes to office rentals, you have the opportunity to choose between furnished and unfurnished spaces. While unfurnished spaces may come with less expensive leases, a fully furnished office space has many advantages that make the higher lease more than worth it. Here is a look at some of the biggest reasons to choose a furnished office for your first rental.

Fully furnished office spaces save you money.

Businesses that rent unfurnished offices have to provide their own tables, chairs, decor, and office equipment. In addition, they often have to hire an interior designer to ensure a professional, appealing, and effective layout for the space. That can quickly add up to thousands of dollars in additional expenses for businesses that often have to manage with tight budgets.

Renting a fully furnished office space, on the other hand, means that you save thousands of dollars on furnishing and designing your new office space. These spaces come already designed and outfitted with quality furniture. Those cost savings can more than make up for any differences in lease prices, while making your transition far more convenient.

Fully furnished office spaces save you time.

Furnishing your own office space requires days or weeks of effort. You have to choose beautiful, matching furniture and suitable decor, and then take the time to install it all in a professional and appealing manner.

When you rent a fully furnished office space, you rent an office you can move into immediately. That means you can get to work in your new space as soon as you can move your belongings into your new location, no shopping, installing, or waiting around required.

Fully furnished office spaces look professional.

One of the reasons many businesses choose to rent an office space is because they want a way to impress clients and employees. A fully furnished office space helps you to achieve this goal with offices that are professionally designed and beautifully put together.

Anytime clients or employees enter your office, your business gains credibility from a space that is designed with professional furniture in an appealing way. Add in an office space that resides in a desirable location, and you will set your business up to earn the respect and trust it requires from your customers (and your employees).

Fully furnished office spaces create greater productivity.

The environment in which you work can have a significant impact on your work performance. Many studies have found that the design of a workspace can affect employees’ satisfaction and their productivity.

Fully furnished office spaces are typically designed to maximize productivity and give workers a sense of calm and relaxation, thanks to a professional design and high-quality furniture.

When you choose one of these offices, you choose a location that makes productive work and happy employees much easier to achieve, without the expense and stress of having to create that environment yourself.

Fully furnished office spaces make better work achievable by lowering your expenses and increasing your credibility and your productivity. Here at Via Executive Suites, we provide 4 locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley that offer furnished offices and endless amenities. Contact us today to find out how our desirable locations, amenities such as 24/7 security and front-desk services, and professionally-furnished spaces can make better work achievable for you.

Pros and Cons of Home Office vs. Executive Office Rentals

Posted on October 22, 2021 by barush - Executive Suites

As a small business, convenient and cost-effective offices are a priority, which often means choosing between a home office and an executive office rental. Both provide impressive advantages that can make managing a small business easier, and more affordable. Here is a look at the pros and the cons of each, along with some factors to consider as you seek the right location for your RGV business.

Home Offices

Home offices have become extremely popular over the last few years, thanks to the pandemic-fueled surge in remote work throughout the United States. A home office refers to any dedicated space within a residence that is used for work

Pros

No Commute

With an average commute time of 26 minutes each way, the drive to and from work can be long. A home office, however, requires no commute, leading to lower wear and tear on your vehicle, less stress, fewer fuel costs and, perhaps most important of all, an extra hour or more every day to devote to home or work.

Lower Costs

Using a home office is also one of the most affordable options for running your small business. You do not need to undertake an expensive lease, for example, or pay for utilities for a large space. The only costs you incur are your own utility and equipment costs, which are likely to be tax-deductible and lower than paying for these expenses in an executive office rental.

Environmental Benefits

Finally, a home office can be good for the environment. Not only are you commuting less, which means fewer carbon emissions, but you are also using less space and therefore less electricity and fewer natural resources.

Cons

Distractions

A home office comes with inherent distractions that can make productivity difficult. For example, barking dogs, crying children, or even the presence of unfinished household tasks can interrupt meetings or focus. That can make productivity hard to achieve.

Lack of Professionalism

If you run a client-facing small business, you may want an atmosphere that is more professional than what your home office can offer. When you give out your business address, you may want it to be in a location that people recognize and respect. If a home office does not give the right impression to your clients, you may need to look for an executive office rental.

Team Communication

While remote teams and virtual communication have become much more the norm than was possible just a few years ago, it can still be difficult to run your business smoothly when you and your team all work from remote locations. Sometimes, face-to-face communication and in-person collaboration lead to greater productivity and a more successful business.

Lack of Space

Most homes do not have the space to house an entire business, or even just a small team of employees. That means that you may run into space issues, particularly as your business grows.

Executive Office Rentals

An executive office rental is a professional office space that you lease within a corporate building. These spaces often include additional areas, such as break rooms or reception areas, and can include a number of amenities designed with businesses in mind.

Pros

Amenities

Executive office rentals come with many amenities that can make productivity easier for your small business. For example, here at Via Executive Suites, we provide endless benefits with your lease, including

Common areas
Break rooms
Complimentary Starbucks coffee
Front-desk services
Parking
24/7 security
And more

When you choose an office rental with these amenities, you not only save money over providing them yourself, but you create a more welcoming and professional work environment where productivity can thrive.

Improved Productivity

Executive office rentals can make it easier to be productive. Not only do you have fewer distractions than a home office provides, but you also have amenities that make it easier to work. For example, front-desk services can help you manage appointments, while conference rooms give you a place to have meetings whenever the need arises. That improved productivity can be just what your small business needs to grow.

Ample Space

When you choose an executive office rental, you enjoy access to all the space your business needs. Whether you need one office for yourself, a suite of offices for your employees, or even room for your service-based business (e.g. Salon), you can find it here at Via.

Flexible Leases

One of the biggest advantages of an executive office rental is access to flexible leases that make it possible to expand your space as your business grows. Here at Via, for example, you have access to any of our four locations, allowing you to rent more space when you need it, or cut back on your rentals if times get a little bit tight.

Work-Life Balance

An office space that is separate from your home makes a reasonable work/life balance easier to achieve. You can more easily leave work at the office and go home to enjoy your down time. Such distinction can be harder in a home office, where your work is always just a few steps away.

Professionalism

Executive office rentals are often in desirable locations designed to impress clients. When you rent one of these office spaces, you can give your business card away with pride, confident in the fact that anyone who stops by your office will receive a professional welcome in a beautiful location.

Cons

Shared Spaces

Executive office suites often include shared spaces, such as break rooms and conference rooms. Sometimes, you may find it challenging to make sure these rooms are available when you want them.

Higher Costs

Leasing an office instead of working from home means paying a monthly rent. Those costs may exceed your current budget. However, in light of the services, amenities, and space you enjoy as part of your lease, you may find that these costs make sense for your business.

Despite these drawbacks, executive office rentals, such as those here at Via, offer exciting opportunities to conveniently and cost-effectively grow your business. If you are interested in learning more about how executive office rentals compare to home offices, contact us today. We look forward to showing you how we make better work possible in the Valley.