As I sit here typing from my house, I'm a little hyperactive. I just came back from a good meeting with good people, and life doesn't get better than that. Oh the simple things that invigorate me. This week I am working with REACH marketing agency in my hometown of Irving, Texas! From the website:
“[REACH] handles communication, branding, PR, advertising and marketing services for small and mid-sized companies who have ongoing marketing needs but lack a full-time staff to meet them.”
In other words, if you have a business/group/organization, etc. that needs help getting its name out there, REACH agency is the perfect company to help you reach your potential to reach your customer market.
Pretty simple.
REACH is unique in three ways:
- It is a virtual company. A virtual company is one that doesn't have a physical office. These types of businesses have become more popular in recent years because of the flexibility they offer.
- It is small and local. REACH consists of two full-time employees, Ryan Sanders (president), and Jeremy Segars (creative services head), along with a couple of part-time employees. All of REACH's clients are in the Las Colinas-Irving area, which enables REACH to make a good name for itself in the community, and to ultimately forge stable, long-lasting personal relationships with clients.
- It gives back. In addition to giving quality service to its clients, REACH makes it a priority to help others in need by supporting two organizations: Water Is Basic and New Friends/New Life.
One more thing.
REACH is also amazing because it took me on at the last minute. I was originally supposed to travel to another destination for my first week, and the day before I was to leave, the employer backed out. I had less than a week to find my first job! Ryan Sanders, president of REACH, had received word of OWJ through an email, after which he contacted Sean to be an OWJ-Friendly Employer. Although I already had all my jobs lined up at that point, I emailed Sean, telling him that I was so impressed with REACH's mission that I was considering working with them after the Program was officially over. Shortly after I sent that email, I lost my original Week#1 job, called Ryan to ask if I could work with him, and he said “Yes.”
That was within 30 minutes. Everything worked out, and for the best. Stellar stuff.
Today, I joined Ryan and Jeremy in their weekly Monday meeting, during which they discussed the projects they had going on for the week. While I didn't know the specifics of each project, I didn't feel invisible. Both Ryan and Jeremy took time to stop, inform me, and answer my questions about design technique/processes (for branding logos), different types of marketing, and other concepts. We spoke of random things as well. There was a moment where Jeremy suggested that I babysit Ryan's children to get the full effect of the job. It turned out that he was joking. Pressure left my chest.
Ryan and Jeremy are very laid-back, straightforward guys. They each have specific strengths that balance and work well with each other. As I observed them communicating, I could tell they were an effective team. I really enjoyed spending time with them, and it was only for a few hours!
Overall, I felt very comfortable and confident during our get-together, which was at a local church. This is their normal meeting place, and it is a comfortable one. I arrived at the church an hour early so I could get some notes together, and I felt immediately at home. Free Wi-Fi, good coffee (though I don't drink coffee, isn't "good" ANYTHING exciting??), and meeting tables/couches. Tons of room. Church > Starbucks. Yep, I said it. I could get used to working for a virtual company.
After we talked about projects for REACH, we talked about the tasks that I would be doing throughout the week. As an account executive for the week, I'll be helping with more than one project, partially managing Facebook pages and websites, and I'll be writing a few articles to garner more attention for a specific business. Tomorrow, I'll be sitting in on an important client meeting (free food!). Though I'm not fond of dressing up, I'm eager to observe the interaction between Ryan and his clients. It will be very interesting to witness the way a marketing relationship develops.
So what about You?
Would you prefer to work for a virtual company or for a company with a physical, reliable office space? Why?
For me, I would definitely choose the former situation. Being a part of a virtual company gives you more control of when, how, and where you get your work done. That's empowering and is more likely to yield more productivity, efficiency, and work satisfaction. The Internet makes having a virtual company incredibly easy. As long as you are working with trustworthy people who work hard AND are making an effort to get to know them, there should be no issues. In my opinion, your business should work around your life, not the opposite.
Okay my friends, talk to you Wednesday or so. I must get back to work! Well, I'm going to eat some plantain first...because I can do that. Working from home is wonderful!
-M