How a Virtual Office Works Best for Your Business

Are you considering a virtual office? Merris Business Center in Brentwood, TN, would like to explain to you exactly how a virtual office works. But first things first. 

Definition of a Virtual Office

A virtual office is not a bricks and mortar office that you work in. It’s an address of a bricks and mortar building. Sometimes the building is just a store in a strip shopping center that has a lot of post office boxes in it. Basically, you are just renting a P.O. box and not much else. 

Your address will look like this: 

Your Business Name
101 Main St., Box 15
City, ST Zip

That address is a dead giveaway, and that’s a problem.  

Getting a Better Looking Address

If you rent a virtual office at Merris Business Center, your address will look like this:

Your Business Name
5115 Maryland Way
Brentwood, TN 37027

This is a perfectly normal looking business address. No one would think it is a virtual office address. You can confidently use this address on your website, Facebook page, business cards, in advertising, etc. 

How a Virtual Office Works at Merris Business Center

 Here’s the good news. At Merris Business Center, when you rent a virtual office from us, you aren’t just renting a P.O. box. If an interested client came to our address to find you, the client would see your business name listed in our building directory. When you receive a phone call, we project the image as your personal receptionist (without over stepping). The process is seamless between us, the caller, and you. It is as if you’re sitting in the office down the hall.

Our virtual office rental plans can provide all of the following and more:

• Your own telephone number with voicemail included
• A live, professional receptionist to greet clients, and answer calls in your company name, and can handle them however you like.
• Access to meeting rooms and day offices if you want to meet with clients, or if you just need a room for yourself
• Access to all our a la carte services: Notary service. Metering of mail, print/scan copy options, word processing backup support, FedEx, etc.
• Receipt of mail and packages including those that require a signature
• Mail forwarding

We Invite You to Visit Us in Person to See How a Virtual Office Works

Find a Local Workspace Near You at Merris Business Center

If you are looking for a local workspace near you, consider Merris Business Center. We’ve been helping businesses like yours with their workspace needs for over eight years. Our business center is a three story building in the heart of Brentwood, TN – a prestigious address to be sure. 

Our Local Workspace Near You Has Much to Offer

We offer move-in ready workspaces and professional support services: 

• Furnished and unfurnished office suites available on short term lease
• Meeting rooms, for rent by the day or hour
• Day offices for rent by the day or hour
• Virtual Offices
• A receptionist  to greet clients
• Customized telephone answering service*
• Mail services
• Professional shredding service

*Note: We never represent ourselves to your callers as an answering service. We represent your company as your own employee would. Based on information that you give us, we can even answer questions from callers on your behalf. 

Our Clients Are Many and Varied

Over the years, we have had clients from quite a variety of business categories: individual attorneys, law firms, and CPA’s. We’ve rented to financial advisors and managers, title and mortgage companies, private lending companies, and insurance companies. Additionally, we have tenants who are IT recruiters, property managers, and residential/commercial real estate companies, and much more. Many of our clients begin with virtual offices and then grow into their own private office. Some client never leave, while others grow into multiple offices until it eventually makes sense to lease a building of their own.

What Our Clients Say about Us

Our clients often express their appreciation for the environment that we create for them at Merris Business Center. The design and layout of our workspace inspires creativity, productivity, and innovation. Our clients describe it as a “porfessional, warm, and inviting environment” that they enjoy coming to. They also appreciate the opportunities to network with our other clients.

Take a Tour of This Local Workspace Near You

We invite you to take a tour so you can experience this workspace yourself. While you are here, we’ll be glad to discuss how we can customize our space and service for you individual needs.

A Better Office Makes for a Better Business

We believe that a better business begins with a better office.  And that is exactly what we offer at Merris Business Center. We have office space with a variety of meeting and flexible work spaces to choose from. This allows us to tailor your space to meet your specific needs as to size and services.

A Prime Location

The Merris Business Center is conveniently located on Overlook Boulevard, near the intersection of I-65 and Old Hickory Boulevard in the Overlook Business Park. 

Our center is surrounded by shopping, retail, restaurants, and hotels. So it’s a pivotal commercial hub filled with all the amenities businesses might need. 

We are just six miles from Cool Springs Galleria, ten miles from downtown Nashville, and 14 miles from the Nashville International Airport (BNA).

A Better Office with a Better Price

Our complete technology package and administrative support allows you to enjoy a corporate setting without the usual corporate price tag.  You can choose your own furnished, dedicated executive suite and then reserve our meeting rooms as needed.

 You also can take advantage of any of the many professional services we offer to grow your businesses, including professional receptionist services. Our business packages are also perfect for corporate satellite offices, remote workers, small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed.

For a Better Solution, Visit Merris Business Center

Come and see for yourself that we deliver the best solution for furnished office space in Greater Nashville. Our prime location in the heart of Brentwood’s Maryland Farms is a quiet, professional place to work. Also we offer a beautifully appointed reception area, state-of-the-art connectivity, professional staff that provide as-needed support services, and short term office lease. 

We also offer virtual office packages. Price range depends on the services that you need. Call us today for more information. 

Business Start-Up Cost Compared to Office Space at Merris Business Center

Spoiler alert! You know that the cost of starting a business and leasing a traditional office space  will be far more than the cost of office space at Merris Business Center. But let’s just look at the numbers anyway. They are quite impressive.

The Scenario

Let’s consider a small business for our example, and let’s say it’s going to be you, an assistant, and a receptionist to start. You’ll need two offices, a reception area, and a conference room. 

Start-up Expenses for Traditional Office Space

A recent search of loopnet.com found a 946 square foot office space in Franklin, TN, for $36 per square foot. The space is a “shell,” so you would have to build it out to your specific needs. Let’s look at your start-up expenses.

Start-up Expenses for Office Space at Merris Business Center

If you lease from Merris Business Center, your cost to walk in the door is zero. You have the reception area with a receptionist and a phone system, your two offices, and a conference room. You just bring your own computer, and you are ready to open for business. An added savings for you is the fact that the offices, reception area, and conference room are already tastefully decorated, plus you have access to a high definition printer, copier, and fax machine (a la carte).

Annual Expense Comparison

Now let’s look at a comparison of the annual expenses.

Annual Expenses for Franklin TN Office

Annual Expenses for Merris Business Center Offices

So your annual savings with Merris Business Center is an impressive $56,056! But don’t forget about the start-up expenses you save in the first year. That makes a total saving of $75,506 when you lease your space from Merris. The comparison speaks for itself.

Merris Business Center – Office Space, Executive Office Suites, and Virtual Office in Brentwood

Renting an Executive Office in Brentwood, TN

Are you tired of working on public, unsecure Wi-Fi at local restaurants? Are you dissatisfied with working from home where there is too much noise and too many distractions? Do you need to meet high profile clients in an upscale and professional-looking office? If you answered yes to any of these questions, look no farther than Merris Business Center in the heart of Brentwood’s Maryland Farms. Merris Business Center is known for renting an executive office suites in Brentwood, TN and virtual offices in Nashville that is the perfect size for any executive’s needs.

The Advantages of Renting an Executive Office

One of the biggest advantages of renting from Merris Business Center is the term of the lease. Our terms are flexible, so you don’t need a long term lease. Just select the size you want and move in. You won’t need to buy furniture or decorate the office, unless you want to. Everything you need can be there, or you can rent an unfurnished office. You’ll love the

• secure, high-speed, fiber-optic Wi-Fi
• ample free parking
• meeting rooms
• professional and well-appointed waiting areas
• unlimited, free coffee service

You won’t need to bring an admin assistant with you because all the following support services are also available:

• Professional Receptionist
• Administrative Support
• Prestigious Mailing Address
• Overnight Shipping / Mail Services
• Your own Phone, Voicemail, and Confidential FAX Line

Schedule a Tour

Come and see what the Merris Business Center offers. Call us today to schedule a tour.

Not Quite Ready for a Full Time Office?

Merris Business Center offers two other options: day offices and virtual offices. Both can provide the professional image you want without the commitment to a full time office. With a day office or a virtual office, you’ll save money, and you can still take advantage of full support services. Merris Business Center has flexible plans that can meet your needs.

Should You Rent a Virtual Office?

Are you wondering what a virtual office is and if you should rent a virtual office? Wikipedia gives a very good answer for the question “What is a virtual office?” It says, “A virtual office is part of the flexible workspace industry that provides businesses with any combination of services, space, and/or technology, without those businesses bearing the capital expenses of owning or leasing a traditional office.”

Benefits of a Virtual Office

A virtual office is not for everyone. But if it’s right for you, and you rent a virtual office, you can reap the following benefits:

• Establish a presence immediately
• Have an address in a respected area
• Decrease overhead expenses
• Reduce commute time
• Establish credibility quickly

How Does a Virtual Office Work?

Not all virtual offices are the same, but at Merris Business Center, our virtual offices in Brentwood, TN have the following services and more:

• A professional business address for your business name.
• Incoming and outgoing mail
• Mail forwarding
• An assigned telephone number with a voicemail box.
• Receptionist to answer your calls and greet clients
• Access to meeting rooms, day offices ,and all a la carte services
• Hands-free VOIP speaker phone, internet connectivity, and WIFI
• Ample parking
• Free coffee

View all the services you can choose from in our Virtual Identity Program. The cost of the program depends on the services you want to include. The price range is $69 – $250 per month. Merris Business Center specializes in tailoring our services to meet your needs.

Executive Offices and Day Offices Also Available

At Merris Business Center we also have “real,” furnished or unfurnished offices that you can rent by the day or on a short-term lease. Offices are move-in ready and include:

• Secure Wi-Fi
• High Speed Fiber Optic Internet
• Ample Free Parking
• Professional Receptionist
• Administrative Support
• Prestigious Mailing Address
• 24 Hour Secure Access
• Overnight Shipping / Mail Services
• Phone, Voicemail, Confidential FAX Line

Contact us today to learn more about our virtual office solutions.

Should You Rent a Conference Room for Important Business Meetings in Brentwood, TN?

Many businesses today have a workforce that includes many who work from home at least part of the time. There will be times when everyone needs to get together to discuss goals or resolve issues. Businesses who have downsized office space probably don’t have room for large meetings. For those businesses and others, the answer to the question, “Should you rent a conference room” is yes! If you are looking to rent a conference room in Brentwood, TN look no further than Merris Business Center.

What to Expect When You Rent a Conference Room at Our Brentwood, TN Location

If you need to rent a conference room, here are some things you should expect:

• State-of-the-art Equipment. Everything should be up-to-date and working.
• Video Conferencing. The room should have a rapid internet connection that is capable of video conferencing.
• Congenial Atmosphere. The conference room should be centrally located making it easy for all to attend. The room should be large enough and comfortable so the meeting is a positive experience.

Key Benefits of Renting a Conference Room

A business can save a large amount of money by renting a conference room. There’s no need to  have the yearly rent and upkeep for large rooms when they are only needed occasionally. These are some of the other key benefits of renting a conference room:

• Sensitive information will stay private. No need to worry about an unsecured or public location.
• Ready to Use. Upon arrival the room will meet all your requests. Tables and chairs will be arranged to meet your needs. Catering services usually can be made available if needed.
• Working with peers with no distractions will increase productivity. Deadlines can be met as collaboration takes place.

Merris Business Center Has Conference Room Rentals in Brentwood TN

Merris Business Center, located in Brentwood, Tennessee, has just the space you need. Our conference rooms are available by the hour or by the day. We also offer other services, such as a Brentwood TN virtual office with full support. Give us a call today.

Trends in Virtual Offices

If there was ever any question, trends in virtual offices in Nashville indicate that they are here to stay. They’ve been gaining even more popularity since the COVID pandemic.

What Is a Virtual Office?

A virtual office does away with all the physical aspects of a regular office. It has no walls, floors, windows, or furniture. So, it saves money by eliminating the cost of running a physical office.

Merris Business Center

Merris Business Center, located on Maryland Way, offers virtual offices in Brentwood, TN. Its prestigious address lends instant credibility to a virtual office at its location.

Merris’ VIP services include:

• Incoming/Outgoing mail
• A professional receptionist to answer calls
• An assigned telephone number
• A professional business address
• Receipt of mail requiring a signature

Additionally, they offer access to meeting rooms, day offices and al la carte services. So, call us today if you want more information or pricing.

Who Uses Virtual Offices?

Virtual offices are very popular among entrepreneurs, small enterprises, and web-based businesses. Studies show that remote working and virtual offices will continue to grow in popularity. A “Freelancing in America” report predicts that the majority of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers by 2027. Almost half of Millennials (47%) are freelancing today. So, we are already half way to 2027.

According to surveys, some of the most common small business types using virtual offices are in these categories:

• Legal
• Consulting
• Finance
• Technology
• Healthcare
• Real Estate

Users of virtual offices, break down in these age brackets:

• 33% of users are 35-44
• 26% are 45-54
• 23% are 25-34.

Interestingly, more than 70% of the virtual office users are male.

What Do the Trends in Virtual Offices Mean for You?

With virtual offices becoming more popular, people who want one may have more difficulty finding one. However, as virtual offices become more popular, more services may open to accommodate the demand. But we’ll just have to see what the future holds.

Renting a Training Room in Brentwood

Many entrepreneurs in the Brentwood, TN area have caught on to the trick of renting short-term space at Merris Business Center. Renting a training room in Brentwood at the Merris Business is not, however, contingent on renting an office there. And that’s great news for small businesses that do not have adequate training rooms.

Disadvantages of an Inadequate Training Space

For companies that do not have adequate space for training, the negative effects of a poor training room can outweigh the usefulness of the training. These are some of the problems with a poor training space:

• Outdated or lack of necessary technology. It is expensive to keep up with the changes in technology today. If the training room is not equipped with the technology you need for your training, the training may not be as useful to your employees.
• Unprofessional training rooms. If you are using the training room for potential clients or partners, an unprofessional space might make them choose another company.
• Poor conditions. A room that is cramped, noisy, or poorly furnished can be a distraction to your attendees. The training will not be as effective as you had hoped.

Merris Business Center – The Best Option for Renting a Training Room in Brentwood

At Merris Business Center, we have training rooms to rent that can enhance your attendees’ experience. Our training rooms come in different sizes to meet your varying needs. The furnishings, lighting and design will be top-notch so that you have nothing to worry about. We also provide additional amenities. For example, if you need a live receptionist or other administrative help, we can provide that. Your clients or employees will also have access to kitchens and lounges.

Training is important for any company. We at Merris Business Center can provide a training space that will be effective for your employees and hassle-free for you. We also have virtual offices in Brentwood. Call us for more information.

Do You Need a Virtual Address?

Have you ever had this experience? You visit a website with a product or service that you really want. You search, but you can’t find a physical address. Are you a little worried or suspicious that the company might not be legit? That’s a common reaction. If you are a digital marketer of any kind, that’s not the reaction you want from potential clients. A virtual address could be just what you need.

It’s much better than using no address or your home address. Using your home address for your business is not a good practice for a couple of reasons:

1. A residential address is just not professional
2. You are sharing private information about yourself to strangers on the Internet.

What Is a Virtual Address and What are the Benefits?

A virtual address is an address at a commercial brick and mortar location where you rent a virtual office. Merris Business Center is just such a place, located in Bentwood TN.

Having your mail delivered to a virtual office address provides these benefits:

• credibility for your business
• privacy
• safety
• convenience

Other benefits available at Merris Business Center, include:

• a prestigious address in Brentwood TN
• phone answering service
• a virtual receptionist
• short-term office space
• meeting rooms, and more.

And think of all the things in your business that a mailing address of this kind benefits: websites, business cards, collaboration and agreements. And, of course, it’s a secure place to receive products and mail.

Merris Business Center Has It All

Give us a call at 615-933-5100 to learn more about the virtual office Brentwood digital marketers use in Middle Tennessee.  Short-term rental contracts and lower costs make our virtual office programs particularly attractive to start-ups. Prices vary depending on the level of service that you need.