In 2019 as remote workers newly relocated to Buffalo, Minnesota from Boston, we felt the struggle with blurred work/home boundaries, spotty Wifi, loneliness, major road construction (yes, seriously!), along with the standard basement office fatigue.

I (Amanda) created OutDo Work to help fill the gap for a flexible, inclusive, community-building workspace located in historic downtown Buffalo, Minnesota. I had already created a detailed business plan, a remnant of a business dream I had in Boston (to say goodbye to exclusive feeling co-working spaces) unrealized at the time due to sky high property prices.

Thanks to the accessible commercial property prices, Stephen found the perfect historic 1902 commercial building in Downtown Buffalo, (bonus: it came with a century of great family and business history!). We decided to pair up as Stephen as a local real estate for good developer and me as the green building expert / OutDo Work founder. 

Drawing on my recent Bachelor of Science in Sustainability from Arizona State University, and LEED associate credentialing from the U.S. Green Building Council, I employ knowledge of regenerative development and inclusivity to the OutDo Work building and community. This was a major career pivot after a successful career in marketing consulting for brands like Conde Nast, Book-of-the-Month, Petsmart and more.

This pairing allowed us to create a business with purpose, and focus on sustainable development and accessibility, not just personal profits and bare minimum management that drive many developers. Did we mention Stephen is super handy and did a lot of the building upgrade work, AND built the built the beautiful black walnut tables by hand?

The prevailing idea for OutDo Work? ‘Do More Here,’ so you have more time to ‘Be More There,’ whether that be with family and friends, creative pursuits or just making your favorite dish at home! We are over three years into business and happy to claim women-owned, family-operated! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proven productivity hacks, optimal indoor health practices, and energy saving retrofits that respect our historical building, and have been used to create a better office and meeting experience along with a 'Sense of Place'. 

 

What does that look like?
 

• Easy online scheduling, payments and rescheduling (life comes up!) 

• Air filtration system (MERV 13) at the top end for indoor health for commercial buildings

• Individual room HEPA-grade filters

• Low to 0 VOC emitting furnishing materials

• 0 Formaldehyde products 

• Weekly cleaning with green seal products 

• Upcycled, locally sourced décor 

• Paint colors that mimic those found in nature 

• Plants and lots of natural light

• Recycling, focus on zero-waste facility, (and compost)!

• Future potential projects: community garden, rainwater garden

• Utiliized historical building grants to return the building to it's original design + reinstate windows
   

Combined, these result in a sense of place that offers easier breathing, lowered blood pressure, improved mental health and less sick days!  

Also, we provide community space, allowing for professional connection. Let’s not forget the added benefit of the absence of household members walking in your zoom background inappropriately dressed (we see you WFH’ers!).

Plus, our flexible office, desk and meeting space options that allow you to pay for only the time you use, increasing accessibility for many.
 

This all translates to an environment that makes people feel GOOD! And we think has helped encourage a 90% retention rate since opening in August, 2020.
 

Needless to say we’re still learning, growing, and improving with the help of the regular tenant feedback, and our amazing contractors that have been with us since day 1. In that way the building is living and taking the shape that the OutDo Work community ultimately wants to create, so they should take most of the credit.