About the Company

The Office Providers is an online and offline commercial real estate service that assists businesses in finding flexible workspaces. It offers various solutions, including turnkey offices, managed office suites, and coworking spaces. The service is free for occupiers, as fees are paid by the office providers. The company is unique in being regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ensuring a high level of trust and professionalism.

The company caters to a wide range of clients, from small startups to large multinational corporations. All workspaces offered are available on short-term flexible contracts, making it easy for businesses to expand or contract as needed. This model contrasts with traditional leased office spaces, which can be restrictive and require long-term commitments.

External economic conditions have posed challenges, but the company has maintained steady revenue. The shift from leased offices to flexible workspaces has increased demand for their services. Gardener emphasizes that consistent work and patience are key to their success in this unpredictable market.

Idea Behind Company

Mike Gardener's idea for The Office Providers stemmed from his career as a chartered commercial property surveyor specializing in office agency. He noticed a growing demand for flexible office solutions during his work with serviced office providers. Companies increasingly sought shorter-term contracts with managed services to avoid the risks of long-term leases, especially after the Great Recession.

Observing the market's shift, Gardener saw an opportunity to create a business focused on flexible workspace solutions. The rise of companies like WeWork highlighted the potential for this industry, making flexible office spaces more attractive and popular. Gardener realized that this trend would continue and decided to leverage his expertise to meet the growing demand.

Gardener's insight into the market and his connections in the tech sector helped him develop a basic website to test the concept. He committed to the business full-time, validating his idea by securing initial deals and building a foundation for growth.

Creating the Company

Building the first version of The Office Providers' website involved creating content, curating images, and establishing trust signals. Gardener collaborated with friends for graphic design and website setup. He also formed partnerships with office agents across the UK to ensure a comprehensive service offering.

The website was a prototype designed to convey the company's services, highlight its free nature for occupiers, and encourage contact. Gardener also established the company as a regulated firm with RICS, enhancing its credibility. The initial costs were modest, around $2,000, and the website took about six months to build.

Gardener emphasized the importance of maintaining personal health and productivity. He balanced building the business with taking care of his well-being, recognizing that his body and mind were crucial assets for the company's success.

Launching the Business

The launch of The Office Providers' website marked the beginning of a focused effort to increase visibility through search engine optimization (SEO). Gardener and his team added extensive content, including property listings, office space guides, and industry news. This organic approach required patience, as building search engine presence takes time.

Gardener outsourced content creation to freelance writers and utilized platforms like Copify. He also leveraged social media and business directories to enhance online visibility. The company created profiles on relevant platforms, wrote guest posts, and used virtual tour tools to attract and engage potential clients.

During the pandemic, Gardener created directories of office and workspace providers to support the industry. These directories became popular web pages and were repurposed as books and podcast content. The company also used email marketing and social media to nurture client relationships and retain customers.

Earnings

Despite economic challenges, The Office Providers remains profitable with low acquisition costs due to its strong organic search presence. Website traffic has grown post-pandemic, though conversion rates are currently low due to market conditions. The company has a growing email marketing list and a significant social media following.

Gardener's approach focuses on maintaining a lean operation, continuously improving SEO, and adding fresh content. The business's success is attributed to consistent work, patience, and adaptability to market changes. Gardener's experience and strategic decisions have positioned The Office Providers for continued growth and resilience in the flexible office space market.