Relocating ClearCam during the holiday season
It was near the end of November, 2021 when the decision to relocate was made. With a contract ending on January 10th, 2022, the team had a little over a month to make the move. With the holiday season in full bloom, our team knew it would be a challenge but, just like us, we rallied and made it happen.
First we needed to find a great location.
Our priorities lay in increasing our lab space, moving somewhere central, and having a minimum of three offices plus an expanded open-concept lab space. So we were looking for flex-industrial space. Sure, there were other nice-to-haves but those were our non-negotiables. You may think this seems pretty easy to find but in reality a few things were working against us and made this transition a lot more difficult than anticipated.
Because of COVID, most places were understaffed and slow to respond.
Because we live in Austin, the real-estate prices are exponentially increasing by the day.
Because of the holiday season, we only had the 1st and 2nd week of December for the entire team to be here and make this happen!
After the decision was made to move, and over the next two weeks, I viewed six locations with our contracted realtor, Chris. Some of these locations were over budget, others were too big or too small, and one was a complete disaster. We almost took one location but, in the end, we decided not to lease it as it was proving difficult to get the correct details from the landlord.
In the meantime, the team was working overtime getting the entire office ready for the move. Rajesh, our quality officer, put together the quality plan to keep us compliant. The lab team packed the entire lab and labeled every container. They even separated what the hired movers could take. All the while, every single individual demonstrated the power of teamwork and the magic of a team that cooperates and truly feels like family.
Finally we arrived at 8000 Centre Park Drive. The location? Right off the highway and north central. The suite? Open, lots of light, three offices, one closet, and the lab would have double the square footage. Availability? Immediate move-in. Needless to say it was perfect! Did I mention our very own kitchen!?
December 22nd, so what was left? Signing the lease, getting the keys, and moving in. All before December 29th, when almost all of us leave town, including myself. Easy, right? …Well when you account for the time the lawyers on both sides took to review it, unaccounted for time off, we ended up making that deadline by the skin of our teeth. The day before I left town to go on my Christmas/New Year vacation, I and a couple of teammates, who were luckily staying in town, moved the entire office to the new location. Phew!
Finally, this blog is for whoever chooses to move their office during the holiday season in Austin, TX. If you are one of those brave few souls, here are my key takeaways/tips for you:
Austin is BOOMING, which means more demand than supply of office locations. If you’re planning to go look at locations, make sure you have at least 5 lined up, otherwise you’re wasting your time.
The whole process will be stressful. Will you find yourself anxiously sitting with your phone in your hand waiting for a text or call? Yes, but you’ll get through it! A good realtor is key.
Be sure to double and triple check with everyone involved, and I mean everyone, not just your coworkers, to see when they are off. You’d be surprised with the days employees are off. For example, did you know that the Monday after Christmas is usually taken off?...I didn’t.
Be a squeaky wheel. Seriously, if you don’t hear back from someone, call and text until you do. But be sure to explain your urgency, so they don’t take it personally.
Don’t do it! Give yourself a lot of time and save the stress and heartache.
Hope this helps!
Silvana
