A flexible work environment has been a hallmark of Bellmont Partners’ culture since its inception. When it came time to plan out our upcoming office space refresh, we spent more time than ever determining just how to adapt it to best fit our team and agency culture. To do that, we also took a trip down memory lane to revisit each incarnation of BP’s office space.
Working From Home 24/7
Back in the very early days, we were WFH all the time – especially since we didn’t have a traditional office. If our schedule permitted, we could even dip for an afternoon and catch a movie. Our families thought we had some space-age jobs. They couldn’t quite understand what we did or how we did it, and our ability to continue to support ourselves – while also answering their calls any time of the day – never ceased to amaze them. We heard “If that was me, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from just watching Oprah all day” more than once. We had a handful of small, nimble clients who never even wondered why our carefully sketched proposals had mysterious “quiet periods” built into them in December 2006 and April 2010 (right around the time each of our children were born). Bless our first partner, Shelli Lissick, and our current VP, Kathleen Hennessy, for covering for us during those times.
The One-Room Workout Studio in Prior Lake
Our partner, Maureen Cahill, was with another organization in 2011 and would regularly tap us to lend an extra hand on some of her projects. Come get an office space, she told us. It’ll be fun, she told us. Cut to us pushing a squirming infant around in a stroller as we toured all the empty office spaces in her building. She was right: the now-vacant workout studio was the best. We hit Ikea, grabbed some desks and bookcases and were off to the races.
Bellmont Partners Opts for Cake
After three lightning-fast years in the workout studio (and absolutely zero pounds lost), our team had grown to nine full-time staff with absolutely nowhere to sit — except on top of each other. We were taking conference calls in our cars because the one-room space offered no privacy whatsoever. It was fun while it lasted – but overhearing everyone’s calls wasn’t viable long-term and the commute to Prior Lake wasn’t ideal for the far-flung members of our growing team. We set sail for the welcoming shores of Edina.
Break Free to the Other Side
After three-plus years in our expansive new digs in Edinborough Corporate Center, our landlord approached us about annexing a small, recently vacated space next door. While we didn’t truly need it at the time, the promise of a rebuild that would make it possible for us to create more office spaces – not to mention add a better fridge – was too good to pass up. We reshuffled our team of 12 into new spaces just after Minneapolis hosted the Super Bowl for what will surely be the only time in history.
Modern-Day Living
And now – we made it to 2024! Bellmont Partners will be turning 28 this August, with a team of 28. After 10 years in our current space (give or take, with all of us working back at home during the pandemic), it was time for an epic refresh. This time, we assembled a crack team of aesthetically inclined co-workers to review all the finish options, weigh in on how we can use our space better and give extra thought to what kind of new technology and amenities could work best. We brought in a talented consultant to help manage the whole process so that we can continue providing top-notch client service to agency projects during construction. We’ve surveyed the team about how they work best and are considering everyone’s specific needs as we fine-tune a new layout. We tapped accessibility specialists for advice about how to ensure that our space is welcoming to people of all abilities. Here’s a sneak peek at the work-in-progress. Stay tuned for an HGTV-style reveal later this spring!
