Consistency: Against The Odds

In the middle of the largest economic shift of my lifetime, we find ourselves searching for consistency. When everything feels like it’s changing, those things that stay the same remind us that it’s not all going to be different, and somethings will eventually get back to normal.

In 2017 I started consulting for a few companies in place of full-time work, after six months (and growth I wasn’t prepared for) my kitchen counter no longer cut it, and Industrious announced it was opening up an office space next door. I think I was one of the first to move in. It was pouring rain, and I bought a gigantic monitor without knowing what the desk measurements would be. I’m sure Industrious shared this information with me, but I was more excited about screen space than practicality.

I rent a small single office in the back left corner of the space, facing the Boston skyline from the Seaport District. The only thing that’s changed about my space since I’ve moved here, is the position of my desk - I turned it 90 degrees so I could face the skyline full-time.

Since joining Industrious we’ve launched a handful of new products (three failed, one’s working out alright), launched two new businesses, helped raise several million dollars in venture funding for a number of companies we support, and built a wonderful work routine here in Seaport.

When COVID-19 reached the USA, small businesses like mine were likely the first to feel the shock: no one wanted to spend, payment was late across the board, team members grew uncertain, we couldn’t hold meetings anymore and didn’t know if we’d have somewhere to work.

The Industrious team didn’t change a thing: rather escalated communication with all of us - letting us know the office space would be available and stocked, but not staffed. They kept us up to date on guidelines with a special emphasis on safety. And, they kept the weekly programming going - they send out emails once a week letting us know about events that are happening. Pivoting to virtual was seamless.

My monitor is still too big for my desk. I still face the Boston Skyline. And we’re still at Industrious. Having this consistency, and sustained access to at least part of what as “normal life” has been a critical part of sustaining momentum throughout such uncertain times. I’m optimistic about the future, and the warm weather that’s making it’s way to Boston hopefully arrives in time with somewhat of a return to normalcy. We’re in the most beautiful part of my favorite city, and this has become one of my favorite places to be.  

I’m very grateful to the entire Industrious team for keeping us going. This has become home. Thanks for letting us keep it. We hope to stick around for a long, long time.