Twenty-five years ago, my wife and I were riding our mountain bikes in the country when we stumbled across a gorgeous log building tucked away in a corner of the Niagara Escarpment – the world’s first United Nations Biosphere. It sat perched like an eagle’s nest on the lip of a 400-foot cliff which dropped into 800 breathtaking acres of unspoiled and uninhabited forests, rivers and mountains. It was stunning. We boldly asked the owner if she would sell it to us and before long, we became the new owners of this jewel. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them).
We moved in and lived and worked in this oasis, inviting one other employee to join us. Our business took off and soon there were people working in every nook and cranny. The stream of trucks delivering and collecting products and urgent items grew so intense we had to pave the drive. We added wings to the building but these spaces too, were soon filled with people, technology and skids of books, DVDs and CDs. Eventually we surrendered, giving over the entire building to the business. We added more facilities, technology and office equipment and made it one of the most inspiring corporate locations on the planet. Our employees sometimes brought their cameras to work so they could take pictures of the workspace beauty to show their envious friends. The mothers on our team gave birth to five babies over the years, making our soulspace their daycare center. Dogs were always welcome at the office too. And some team members even lived there while transitioning their lives.
Then gas prices increased and technology improved and most of us were spending more time away from the office than we were in it. We soon began asking whether we needed an office at all in this day and age. When we discussed this with our team they became both enthusiastic about working from their homes (most of our faculty and coaches already do) as well as sad at the thought of leaving this glorious place.
And so we decided that it was time for someone else to steward our treasure -and it was snapped up in three weeks. As we pack up a quarter of a century of history, the memories and milestones are making this a very emotional experience, and on August 16th, 2008 we will be holding an Auction in Caledon.
So thank you and goodbye dear soulspace, where so many ideas have been birthed, books written, clients inspired and careers launched. It will become a home of a different sort and a continuing inspiration and source of joy for a lucky couple. It’s progress I know, but my heart is being tugged nevertheless. Thanks to all of you who have visited us, brainstormed in the pool, heartstormed on the Morning Deck, been comforted by the wonder dog Spirit, shared Spirit@Work Cards with us daily, helped clients define their ONE Dream® and helped us to change the world. We are all still there, as powerful a team as ever, but just in different places!
Lance and team
You will miss this wonderful workplace. I hope to see you in Copper this year.
Cheers.
Debbie McGrath