This ribbon-cutting took place at Bookmark Ventures, located at 126 No. Addison, with owner Shannon Goodrich (holding scissors) and members of the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ambassadors. Bookmark is a co-working office and business community that allows flexible and remote workers a new office space. In collaboration with FFC Fitness and NovaCare, there will be a workplace fitness workshop held on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
A new business has recently opened, and for those who really need it, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Bookmark Ventures, located at 126 N. Addison, offers professionals and small teams a place to hold meetings, make calls and be productive without the distractions of home or a costly, time-consuming commute. This can be great for those businesses just starting out who need a hub where they are able to get the work done in a professional manner. Starting a business like this that can help others is so important for communities, so their marketing will need to match what they want to put out there, whether that is through the traditional sense with local marketing or through digital marketing where they use something similar to west palm beach SEO, but within their area, so they can get businesses in need to connect with them online and in-person.
Also, whether a company is just starting out (online or off), or has been in operation for decades, it must be aware of its online reputation. People nowadays can learn anything they want by connecting to the Internet. And the majority of them: customers, investors, employees, and others are researching you online before becoming a customer. Businesses market themselves to promote their brand, but there are times when negative comments about the brands or services are made. This is one of the reasons why small businesses may want to correct their negative market image by hiring a reputation management service provider, so that the enterprise does not get harmed by such negative feedback from competitors. To build a positive reputation, an online reputation management company may fill the online space with as much positive information about the business as possible. It could also help a business grow because having a positive image may attract new employees to work with the the firm and build a community that works towards the same goal.
Talking about Bookmark – it is a co-working office and business community that allows flexible and remote workers a new office space. Quite a lot of remote workers tend to make use of this shared workspace away from their homes to get the work done in peace.
Like most offices, Bookmark offers access to a conference room, printer, receptionist and individual desks, as well as space to hold office hours and host guests. The management of such shared workspaces tend to get those office supplies in bulk (by searching for ‘office supplies uk‘, or ‘office supply store near me’ on the internet) which could help them set up the office space. Bookmark also can serve as an office address for business cards and business mail and provide a location for events or regular classes and workshops scheduled far in advance.
It’s a great alternative to a home office in one’s bedroom or basement. You can set up your own dedicated desk, where you can display family photos and come and go as you please.
With a floater/hot desk agreement, you can drop in at any given time and use a table or desk that is not named for you. If your schedule is always changing, a Bookmark Floater subscription allows you to stop by any time, and reservations can be made on the day they are needed with a quick call or email.
In addition, Bookmark offers social media options such as a Facebook page and a blog that offers tips like working in the global marketplace or accessing the best training.
Coming events
This Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Bookmark is helping FFC Fitness host a training workshop, “Workspace Fitness.” Done in conjunction with NovaCare, professional trainers offer a presentation about wellness in the workplace.
Registration is appreciated but walk-ins are welcome. RSVP to Luann at [email protected].
On Thursday, Feb. 27 from 8-9 p.m., Bookmark will sponsor the Monthly Member Breakfast for the Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ECCI). It’s open to members of the ECCI.
More about Bookmark’s inception
“I have been living in Elmhurst about eight years and part of the reason we came here was because my mom lived here,” said owner Shannon Goodrich, who lives in Elmhurst with her husband, John, and her children, who attend Visitation School. “We were looking for a place to live outside the City [of Chicago] and decided it would either be Elmhurst or Downers Grove. I wanted to be near the train, near O’Hare and to have a home office as well.
“The company I was working for at the time was losing its office space. When the company was acquired, we needed an alternative because we were renting the space. By then, we had a newborn and a 3-year-old in the Lakeview [neighborhood of Chicago], so how in the heck and I’m supposed to work from home?!”
Goodrich looked for an outside workspace without much luck.
“I tried to work at places like Panera Bread, then I thought, why don’t I open a shared office space here?” she said. “Well, it took two years … and lots of perseverance, but we got there. Elmhurst is a great location; we have the new FCC [fitness center], the Marke right here. The location had a first floor available and was already an office. I had to figure out how we could develop it into an event space as well as offices.
“It’s been a real collaborative effort. I’ve been able to partner with local companies and businesses.”
About Bookmark
“Everything we’re doing [at Bookmark Ventures] is negotiable for local business. It’s all customizable; people can walk in or schedule time,” Goodrich said. “Sometimes after the gym, when you’re all sweaty, you just want to stop in and check your email or something.
“What I’m trying to bring to the table is not only to work and collaborate, but also to increase discussion about professionalism, better networking and individual contributions. We have leaders and all this brain power. but it’s not being shared and there’s a lot of subject matter experts in Elmhurst. That’s what I’m trying to offer.
“It’s a place where you can build your own brand. It’s a quick commute so you can still coach your kids’ teams, and still keep up your networking contacts.”
Goodrich hopes readers of the Independent will attend on of the upcoming programs offered at Bookmark Ventures or stop by any time for a tour.
