Tailgating is an awesome way to ramp up the excitement of the fall football season and celebrate your favorite team with like-minded friends (and strangers!). Whether you’re rooting for the Volunteers, the Commodores, the Tennessee Titans, or getting behind any SEC team that’s playing, we’ve got some tips to make it a tailgate to remember.

Getting Ready for a Football Tailgate: Tips to Make it Epic

1.      Plan it!

Following pandemic restrictions of the last couple of years, it pays to think ahead. Be sure to check and see if tailgating is allowed at the stadium and if there are any open flame policies you need to heed. Don’t forget to have a peek at the weather too—there’s nothing worse than trying to grill in the rain! If you’re still game, pack some umbrellas and rain gear.

2.      Time it!

Once you arrive and find a spot, the first thing you need to do is start up the grill. Charcoal takes a little longer, so be sure to bring appropriate lighting gear, like a chimney and barbeque lighters. Organize it so you have plenty of time to get the grill going, cook the food, eat, and put your stuff away—or else you’ll miss the kickoff! Your grill will need some time to cool down, too, so factor that in, plus the time you’ll need to get to your seats.

3.      Beverages!

Fill your cooler with all your favorite drinks, including non-alcoholic beverages and water. Bring plastic cups or choose drinks in aluminum cans—glass can break, and you don’t want to spend your time cleaning up. If you decide to bring cocktails, like Bloody Mary’s, think about pre-mixing them so you can just pour and enjoy. And don’t forget the ice! You’ll need clean ice to cool your drinks as well as ice in the cooler itself, best to keep them separate for hygiene’s sake.

4.      Encourage Team Spirit!

Ask anyone who’ll be joining you to bring a food item to share. This will reduce the amount of work you have to do and ensure lots of variety for everyone. If you want to make sure there are no duplicates, ask your friends to post what they’re bringing on your Facebook page or get a group chat going to share ideas.

5.      It’s The Little Things That Matter!

Here is a list of items you can’t forget to bring:

• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Folding chairs
• Paper napkins
• Paper towels
• Tupperware container for utensils
• A tub for dirty dishware (to keep the mess out of your car)
• Trash bags
• A metal bucket for cooling your spent coals
• A separate cooler for raw meat
• Blankets or warm clothing

6.      Decorations!

Get in the mood and show your team spirit by decking out your vehicle with your team’s merchandise. And don’t forget to get your game face on—make sure your outfit matches your team’s colors so other fans can identify you easily!

Are you ready for the fall football season? While you’re enjoying your tailgate, the team at Green Hills Office Suites will be holding it down on the home field. Now that’s teamwork!

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There’s no shortage of success stories among members of Green Hills Office Suites. It’s a community of different industries and members at different stages of their careers. The stories are always interesting, and the paths are never the same.

One of those members is Katie Stauffer, a personal family attorney and owner of Estate House Law in Nashville. Stauffer is dedicated to helping you keep your family and assets out of court, and out of conflict.

She does everything from wills, trusts, pet plans, and naming guardians. She will create a plan that suits each client’s needs. But her clients will never be just a stack of papers to her.  After experiencing more than one failed estate plan after the passing of a loved one, she is determined to keep others from going through the same horrible experience.  That’s why she takes this personally and enjoys building relationships. Your family becomes her family.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Stauffer is the youngest of three girls.  “My parents got it right on the third try,” Stauffer jokes.

Stauffer, a former soccer player for the University of Arkansas, also loves to play sports which now includes tennis. She loves the Nashville food scene and has become a big fan of The Optimist and Martin’s Bar-B-Que, two of the most popular restaurants in the city. As an avid animal lover, it’s no surprise that her two dogs and one cat are her favorite companions and are always near when she’s working on her other passion—writing songs.

Her passion pours out in her lyrics and when she talks about being an advocate for her clients and their families. Her family.

For more information on Katie Stauffer and Estate House of Law, click here.

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Even before the pandemic, many small businesses started turning to virtual offices to maximize efficiency and lower costs. Virtual offices are gaining greater importance as work continues to shift and evolve, enabling remote and distributed workforces, digital nomads, freelancers, startups, entrepreneurs, and downsized companies.

So let’s talk about virtual offices, what they are, and why they are more critical than ever in the post-pandemic world.

What Are Virtual Offices?

A virtual office offers the same services and amenities as a traditional, full-service corporate office. The most significant difference is that you don’t have physical office space to maintain.

At the most basic level, a virtual office package includes a professional business address, phone number, and mail handling. Depending on your needs, you can add more services, such as a live receptionist, live call answering services, voicemail to email, and meeting room space.

Despite its “virtual” nature, you can also access a physical office when needed. If you need to meet clients or use the space to work now and then, you can do that too. You can design a virtual office package that suits your precise needs for a predictable monthly fee. Even when you choose a premium package, the cost is a fraction of the cost of a traditional office lease.

Why Virtual Offices Are the Future of Work

Here are a few reasons why small businesses and entrepreneurs embrace virtual offices.

1.      Reduce costs

Virtual offices provide a corporate environment’s perks without the massive overhead. Virtual office packages are pennies on the dollar compared to a traditional office lease.

2.      Reduce health risks

With growing concern and awareness of health risks posed by exposure to Covid-19, a remote environment is often a worker preference. Virtual offices eliminate unnecessary direct contact without compromising efficiency.

3.      Expand globally

If you’re entering new markets, you want to ensure your offices are up and running 24/7. A virtual office provides phone and mail services that address the need to be available when your customers need you.

4.      Enable work-from-anywhere

Whether you run a business with subcontractors or field workers or you are a freelancer embracing the nomad lifestyle, a virtual office helps you cut the tethers that bind you to a physical place. Whether it’s about embracing your wanderlust or taking on remote workers in global locations, a virtual office ties it all together conveniently and affordably.

5.      Reduced carbon footprint

We are all concerned with our environmental impact, as are our customers. Virtual offices reduce e-waste, keep vehicles off the road, and minimize energy and paper waste, keeping our world greener every day.

6.      Maintain a professional business image

Running a business from home isn’t always the best look for a growing company. A virtual office provides professional amenities like a commercial address, phone number, and call answering to give your business a professional sheen.

Are you still contemplating a virtual office? Talk to us about it today! We’d love to answer all your questions and help you choose the right plan for your needs.

Cover Photo by Shutterstock

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Meet our newest Member, Dr. Rodney Morris Junior. With a couple of years of experience under his belt, he has decided to start his own private practice, Straighten Up Chiropractic, right here at GHOS. His father, Dr. Rodney Morris, is also a chiropractor and inspired him and his career path from a young age.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Wheeling West Virginia but was raised in Killeen, Texas with my 5 sisters. Outside of work, I love exercising and I’m currently training for a half-Ironman. 

What is your favorite meal or restaurant here in Nashville?

My favorite meal would have to be good old southern food – greens, cornbread, mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and fried chicken.

Who are your biggest influences?

My first influence would be Jesus Christ for dying on the cross for my sins so that I may have eternal life. Jesus also teaches me how to love others. Also, I look up to my father who was a family physician for almost 40 years. He really cared for others in the humblest way.

What are some things you’d like people to know about your company?

I want people to realize that my company, Straighten Up Chiropractic, is all about health, wellness, and healing. I believe that everybody can benefit from chiropractic. A lot of people make the mistake of waiting until they are having pain in their lower back or neck region. However, you don’t have to wait until you are in pain to get treatment. Everyone has the chance to stay healthy to live and function at their highest level.

I first started Straighten Up Chiropractic with home visitations. Helping patients in their homes helped me to really understand the patient’s condition because the patients’ surroundings can influence their health and how well they function.

What advice would you give someone looking to get into your industry?

If someone is considering being a chiropractor, ask yourself do you love using your hands to help people? Do you love listening and talking with people? If the answer is yes, then maybe being a chiropractic physician would be something that you would enjoy doing. My advice in choosing a career is that you must love what you do!

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There’s no question—we’ve all been challenged in many ways this year. But despite the adversity, there are many things to be thankful for. As we head into the holiday season, let’s challenge ourselves to spread a little cheer to those who need it most. We think about giving as something monetary, but it doesn’t always have to be. Sometimes a helping hand, the gift of your time, and willingness to reach out are all it takes to make a difference.  

Ways to Give Back During the Holidays

The festive season is a joyful time, but many people, families, and children won’t have that experience. Families, in particular, can be challenged to give their kids what they need—never mind what they want. Clothing, toys, books, and food are things we take for granted, but you can make a difference.

Many organizations in the Nashville area are dedicated to helping kids and families—and not just during the holidays. These non-profits are committed to making lives better every day, and they make it easy for you to get involved:

Hands On Nashville connects people and businesses with volunteer opportunities throughout the region. They work with more than 200 non-profit and community organizations that need your help.

Second Harvest Food Bank not only provides food to people but they are also working toward finding solutions to hunger. You can donate time, money, or food, and it all goes exactly where it’s needed.

Room in the Inn helps to put rooves over people’s heads, finding transitional or permanent housing for Nashville’s unhoused within their network of 200 local congregations. They need volunteers and financial support and accept donations of everyday items that can be put to immediate use.

The Store is a free grocery store founded by Kimberley and Brad Paisley. They work with agencies and others to solve food insecurity for seniors, families, and individuals, but they can’t do it alone. Volunteer hours are paid as wages that go back into the program. They also accept group volunteers so you can maximize the good you do. What a great team-building idea!

These are just a few ideas, but we hope they inspire you to seek a cause that speaks to your heart.

Ways to Donate

It’s not unusual for people to think, “Hey, I’m just one person. How much good can I possibly do?” Feeling like your contribution is just a drop in the bucket is a bit overwhelming, but there are ways to extend your donations and maximize the benefits.

Once you’ve chosen a cause, mobilize your employees to join in. Set a period of time when the campaign will run and have everyone canvas for and collect donations of toys, food, goods, or money. Tell your customers what you’re doing and encourage them to donate too. Doing the work together is a great way to spread the cheer, and it feels so good to know you’re making lives better.

Here at Green Hills Office Suites, we choose Toys for Tots. We’ve been supporting them for several years, and we’re always so thrilled to be able to bring hundreds of new toys to kids that would not otherwise have them during the holidays.

Need office support while you’re volunteering? Don’t forget that the team at Green Hills Office Suites is here to help. Reach out today; we’d love to be a part of your success story.

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Growing up in Lexington, Rachel Whitaker attended college at the University of Kentucky. Nashville, however, became her new home in 2010 when she moved to the Music City with her husband and two sons. In addition to Rachels devotion to her business, Oak Leaf Real Estate, she loves to go antiquing and spending time at some of her favorite hot spots which include The Ryman and The Listening Room Café. Continue reading to hear how Rachel got started and what advice she has for other businesses.

Who are your biggest influences?

People who I’ve looked up to don’t just define success by the dollars they make. If you’ve talked with me at all about my job as a realtor, I’ve told you that I see myself as a helper – not a salesperson. Whatever goals my clients have, I help them reach those! For my clients to be happy on closing day and for them to benefit from my hard work – that’s what I call success!

What are some things you’d like people to know about your company?

Oak Leaf Real Estate was founded by Kim Rowland, Broker. Kim has been in the Tennessee real estate business for decades and has successfully overseen multiple real estate offices, large and small.  Oak Leaf Real Estate is an intentionally small, boutique real estate firm focusing on taking great care of our clients, through life transitions that involve real estate. Upsizing, Relocating, Downsizing, Investing, Land Purchasing. We are here to help!  

How did you get started?

Since 2014, I have worked as a relator in Nashville and Middle Tennessee. I pride myself on taking exceptional care of my clients and always going above and beyond. Selling/purchasing a piece of real estate is one of the most important decisions we can make in our lifetime. I love using my experience, knowledge, and expertise to take as much stress as possible off the shoulders of my clients. There have been a lot of real estate market fluctuations in Middle Tennessee, and we’ve experienced some extremes just this year. Navigating the market is what I do best and I absolutely love that no two days are alike in my job.

What advice would you give someone looking to get into your industry?

Real Estate is not for the faint of heart. The highs are high, but the lows are low. Chat with a current Real Estate Agent about their experience and ask them everything. Be ready to never stop learning, as the market is ever-changing. Be tenacious yet flexible. Don’t be afraid to answer a question with “I don’t know” then seek the answers.   

Reach out to Rachel for your real estate needs, if you have any questions or would like to chat about what is going on in the market today! She would love to meet you.  Follow her on Instagram and Search Tennessee Properties.

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So many workers have switched to full-time work-from-home (WFH) schedules since the pandemic. It’s flexible, convenient, and without the commute, it’s an excellent way to get more hours back in your day.

But holiday times are a different beast altogether. Friends, family, and festive activities abound—none particularly conducive to work productivity. Unfortunately, just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean there are no deadlines. Things still need to get done!

When the excitement meter is on high and distractions surround you, a coworking day pass is a perfect solution. Day passes can be purchased as needed without the need to commit. Plus, you’ll have access to all the peace and quiet, professional office amenities, and helpful staff you need to produce quality work.

Why Use a Coworking Day Pass?

Aside from escaping the holiday craziness, there are lots of reasons why you might need a coworking day pass from time to time. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen many offices switch to a hybrid or fully remote model, which has helped maintain business continuity but may not be ideal in every circumstance.

For example, data published by Pew Research shows that while 44% of people working from home find it more convenient, 60% feel disconnected from company culture. Having others working around you infuses the work environment with energy, but you don’t have that when you’re not going into the office.

A coworking day pass helps you tap into that vibe and infuses your work with fresh impetus. If you need further rationale, here are a few more benefits of a day pass:

• Free yourself from distractions. Working from home isn’t always productive. Whether you’ve got kids, roommates, pets, or hyper-social neighbors that like to drop by unannounced, a coworking day pass gives you an easy out. For just a few dollars a day—and only when you need it—you can block out distractions and get more done.

• Keep everyone happy. Say you’ve given up your home office space to a visiting relative, or perhaps the family uses it to wrap gifts and do holiday stuff. Where are you going to go? Although it’s disruptive, you don’t want to spoil the festive mood, so slipping out to get some work done is a way to satisfy everyone.

• Level up your professional image. Day passes are also great for freelancers that need a more professional environment to take a meeting or do a Zoom call. A noisy café is often just as hectic as home during the holidays, and a quiet space with good internet helps you focus and make a good impression.

• Commitment-free. Day passes can be purchased in bulk (some coworking spaces will give you a deal if you buy several at once), and you can use them anytime. You won’t have to stress about paying for services you’re not using. Simply keep your day passes handy and use them when you need to. It’s all about options!

There’s no place like home for the holidays—except when there’s work to be done! Purchase a coworking day pass at Green Hills Office Suites, and you can have it all.

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If you think you’re the only one with challenges keeping their new year’s resolutions, we have some news for you. According to recent data, about 60% of all people in the US make resolutions at or around the new year. Of that number, only 9% actually accomplish them. 23% quit within the first week, and 43% make it to mid-February.

So if you feel like making new year’s resolutions is a recipe for failure, welcome to the club! But as a species, we tend to be optimistic. We’re constantly searching for actionable solutions to our biggest problems and willing to put the work in to try and try again.

That being said, there are a few tricks you can follow that work for some people—and we’ve got ‘em right here!

How to Make Resolutions that Stick

For a new year’s resolution to have staying power, they need to have these qualities:

1.      They need to be specific

Instead of saying, I want to lose weight, set a specific goal. Instead, say you want to lose 10 pounds. Ideally, you’ll also want to put a timeline on it. Timelines make your progress measurable, giving you something to gauge progress. Progress is motivating!

2.      They must be achievable

Don’t set goals that are too lofty. There is nothing wrong with thinking big, but the problem is that you will give up when you can’t reach your goal. For example, if you’ve never run a marathon and that’s your goal, it will take a while to train and get your endurance up. Let’s say, instead, “I resolve to become an avid runner.” Then all your training and progress counts for something. Maybe next year, you’ll do a quarter-marathon, and then? Who knows where you’ll go!

3.      They should matter

Your resolutions should have meaning to you—and not just because of any sense of self-doubt or feelings of responsibility to what others expect of you. Think about what matters to you, how you can change yourself for the better, and who you can invite into your life to support your efforts. Now that’s a resolution worth the effort!

How Incremental Changes Make Big Impacts

When we make new year’s resolutions, much of the thought is based on transformation on some level. Whether it’s about improving your health, making more time for the people you love, or quitting a bad habit, small steps eventually add up to massive strides.

Think about making smaller, bite-sized resolutions and resolve to put it on a loop. For example, let’s say you’re trying to get fit, but you’ve never exercised before. Try starting with a brisk five-minute walk every day and bump it up a couple of minutes each week. By the end of the year, you’ll be stronger, more energetic, and happier, and you won’t have had to spend money on a gym membership or a personal trainer to achieve your goals. It’s all in the way you frame it.

When you need support to help you achieve your business goals, the Green Hills Office Suites Team has your back. Let’s do this!

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Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, you can work when and how you want, and there are no long commutes or noisy office environments to deal with.

However, the distractions of being at home can sometimes be too much for even the most focused person. Fortunately, there are some ways to minimize these distractions so you can be productive and get your work done.

Top Distractions When Working from Home

In our media and technology-rich world, distractions come in many forms. Here are some of the top distractions people face when working from home:

1. Family Members. Whether it’s your kids or your spouse, it might seem fair game if you’re under the same roof.
2. Social Media and Other Forms of Entertainment. It’s easy to get distracted when your phone is blowing up all day or someone in the house has the TV on.
3. Housework/Stuff Around the House. If you’re distracted by clutter and mess, seeing something that needs to be done can gnaw at your brain until you do something about it!

How Coworking Helps

One of the best solutions to eliminating home distractions is joining a coworking center. Coworking centers are shared office spaces where independent professionals, freelancers, and remote workers come together and work in a comfortable, well-appointed, and distraction-free area.

Your coworking membership gives you access to all the amenities of a professional office environment, from high-speed internet and comfortable furniture to high-tech office equipment, professional staff, and meeting rooms when needed—without the high costs of renting a traditional office.

Coworking centers also offer an opportunity to network with other professionals and connect with the local business community. Many members find coworking a great way to get feedback, network with other local businesses, find new clients, and even collaborate on projects. Many coworking centers also offer community-building activities like lectures and workshops, providing opportunities for professional development.

So, if home distractions prevent you from being productive, consider joining a coworking space. You might find it’s the perfect solution for staying focused and getting your work done.

Get in touch with the Green Hills Office Suites staff for a tour, and let’s get to work!

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Working from home might once have seemed to be a dream come true. But for some, the isolation and disconnection can be a nightmare.

Working from home can severely affect your mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other issues. Here are some things remote workers should consider.

Lack of Social Interaction

Being alone is one of the most significant downsides of working from home. Loneliness and disconnection can lead to depression and anxiety, adversely affecting productivity. Coworking spaces are an excellent solution as they unite like-minded individuals and provide a stimulating environment to work, collaborate, and network.

Hard to Stay Productive and Organized

Traditional offices provide clear boundaries between work and home. However, when home is your office, these lines are blurred, making it hard to focus. Coworking offers designated workspaces so you can work with fewer distractions, increase your productivity, and lower your stress level.

Distraction

When you’re at home, there are so many distractions—kids, pets, household chores, television, neighbors… the list goes on! It might be hard to stay focused on your work when you have dishes in the sink or a dog that needs walking. Coworking spaces help you eliminate distractions, promoting greater productivity and making you feel more in control.

Anxiety and Depression

One of the most significant issues when working from home is isolation. This is a critical mental health concern that can quickly impact productivity. Combat these feelings by staying connected with others, like work colleagues, friends, and family. A coworking space provides a sense of community, camaraderie, and support that will help lift your spirits.

How a Coworking Space Helps

Joining a coworking space is an excellent way to ease the adverse effects of working from home. Joining one can provide you with connections and collaboration opportunities. You can get inspired, bounce ideas with others, and build strong work relationships with like-minded people. Additionally, coworking spaces offer resources that will make you feel like you’re working in a traditional office space, with services like fully furnished office space, board rooms, kitchen facilities, and professional meeting rooms.

In conclusion, working from home may sound like a dream come true, but it also comes with myriad mental health concerns, and you need to take that seriously! If you’re feeling isolated, unproductive, anxious, depressed, or distracted, just know you’re not alone—and you certainly don’t have to stay that way!

Coworking is the ideal solution to address these concerns; doing so helps alleviate mental health issues by providing a supportive environment designed to promote productivity, creativity, and connection.

Plus, coworking offers the best of both worlds. You can work from home when you need to be present for your family, but when you need a more structured work environment, you have access to a professional office environment dedicated to helping you stay productive and feel accomplished.

Book a tour today; we’d love to show you how we work!

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