What does it take for a building to stand tall? For an organization to succeed? The secret to longevity, of any kind, starts with a base capable of supporting the whole…no matter how far into the sky it reaches. For those of you who have not heard the exciting news, Eight Eleven Group has officially completed construction on our national headquarters in the Broad Ripple Village of Indianapolis, IN. This new home marks the beginning of the next chapter in our story. The same story etched into the glass along our timeline wall on the first floor. As I look at each milestone, I can’t help myself from reminiscing on everything that has gone into getting this building completed, let alone the last 22 years leading up to this moment. The lessons we’ve learned, the hardships we’ve overcome, and most importantly, those who have joined us along the way! We’ve experienced a lot in 22 years, and in many ways that is what this piece is about. I plan to highlight some of the amazing features of our new building, I mean who doesn’t like to show off their latest accomplishment? However, if you take anything away from this story, let it be the lessons and reasoning behind each decision, and not the features themselves.

“Building From the Ground Up”

Even if you have never built a building before – we most certainly have not - it is safe to assume that it does not just happen overnight. In fact, all the features don’t even get built at the same time. Instead, elements are added in stages with the longest and most important phase being the creation of the foundation. We started building the foundation of who we are as an organization at 811 Broad Ripple Avenue in the year 2000. With less than 5 employees, our team of forward-thinking entrepreneurs was determined to find a better way to connect the best and brightest talent with companies looking for future leaders. Our focus areas may have evolved, but our dedication to this philosophy and our core values has remained the same. When it came to deciding where to build our new HQ, there was no doubt that we’d be returning to the village of Broad Ripple. What better way to serve as a constant reminder of our humble beginnings? Staying true to our core values of Family, Opportunity, Innovation, Passion, Grit, and Service is what led to our success for these past two decades. By continuing this dedication, and never forgetting where it all began, we will only continue to grow bigger than we could ever imagine.

“Relationships Are at the Center of What We Do”

As the second employee to be hired by Eight Eleven and work in our first office, I am thrilled to be back under one roof again. It’s hard to explain just how much I grew in those early days. We truly were a team; we learned from each other’s mistakes, collaborated to meet our challenges, and became bonded through it all. I understand that it may sound a little cliché, but the relationships that were formed in that small office have sincerely grown into some of my most cherished connections. Here at Eight Eleven, we have a saying that goes “relationships are at the center of what we do.” This not only applies to our work with our clients and consultants, but also the culture we create for our own employees. Humans are inherently social creatures; we need these relationships to thrive! I need these relationships to thrive!

“Across All Divisions, Our Business Is People.”

The open-office concept of the building will allow our employees to see their peers in action. For those in similar roles, this is a chance to learn which tactics work the best as well as identify areas for improvement. I have always believed that new ideas can come from any level of an organization. Even as an experienced sales rep, I found myself adapting to new strategies that I had picked up from observing others in the pit. For those in different departments, nothing creates silos quite like a lack of understanding. By seeing the hard work that each department puts into our operations, our employees will not only gain a better insight into the business, but also a better appreciation for some of our more “behind the scenes” roles. We have included plenty of breakout rooms scattered throughout the office to foster the same type of collaboration that I benefited from in my early days. As you walk through the halls of the new HQ and take note of all the little details, it becomes clear that this building was designed with our Eight Eleven family in mind. We listened to the needs of our employees and created a space that truly meets them. From sustainable beverage stations to wellness rooms, LED lighting, and even sophisticated sound-masking technology, we focused on cultivating an environment where all our employees, regardless of background, can feel comfortable and empowered!

“New Beginnings Come in Many Forms”

From the moment I walked through the front doors of the new HQ, I immediately felt a similar sensation to my first days at 811 Broad Ripple Ave. I was split between the nostalgia of all that has led up to this moment and my excitement for everything that will proceed it. This building is the next chapter in my story here at Eight Eleven, but for many, walking through those doors, it will be the beginning of theirs. Throughout my experiences, I have come to understand that new beginnings come in many forms. Change is one of the few guarantees that life has to offer. Therefore, we wanted to create a space capable of not just accommodating change but propelling it. One aspect that best illustrates this lesson is Eight Eleven University, a state-of-the-art training center located on the first floor of the building. Designed to host our New-Hire orientation, Sales Boot Camp, Leadership Development, DEI Trainings, and all the other amazing professional development that we invest in our employees. Professional growth directly ties back to our core value of Opportunity, and thus we do all that we can to support it. Each time someone walks through the doors of Eight Eleven University, it will mark a new beginning in their professional life. However, one’s professional development is only part of the equation when it comes to creating new beginnings here at Eight Eleven as we want to see our employees grow both professionally as well as in their personal lives.

When I said that I have experienced a lot during my time at Eight Eleven…I meant it. Two of the greatest events that have happened since starting here in 2001 were the births of my children, Meryn and Gage. Nothing changes your perspective on life quite like having a child. When I became a mother, the concept of “Me” turned into “We.” My needs, my plans for the future, my work-life balance, all got shaken up and I quickly realized just how much my world began to revolve around my children. As a working mother, I finally understood just how challenging it can be to balance a career and a family. Luckily, I happened to work for such an amazing company that supported me as I became acquainted with this new reality. I have been fortunate enough to witness the creation of many families here at Eight Eleven. It’s by far one of my favorite things about my job…watching people grow their personal worlds from the foundation that was built here. When we say Family is a core value of ours, we are not just talking about our work family. We understand that the experiences in your personal life will also have an impact on your professional one – it’d be crazy to think otherwise. In addition to our dedication to work-life balance, we have included wellness rooms on each floor of the new building. These wellness rooms will serve as a lifeline for all who need a quiet and private space to tend to their personal wellness activities during the workday. Accommodations like this is what sets apart good companies from great ones. By accounting for ALL the needs of our employees, not just the ones related to their work, we have built a strong foundation for them to grow.

“Built To Grow”

Earlier this year, “Built to Grow” was the tagline and theme of our annual recruiting and delivery conference, Evolve. Although we have always had a theme for our conferences in the past, I honestly think this was our best one yet. (My husband would tell you that is my sentiment after every conference!) I just feel the message of this particular theme resonated so well with what we strive to do here at Eight Eleven Group. When it comes to our clients, our consultants, the professional development of our employees, or even the impact we have in the communities we serve, we are always working to nurture growth. This is the same reason that we have been able to keep so many employees, including myself, with the organization throughout these years. Retention is king!

If this blog post was a tour, then I suppose it would naturally end at the Legacy Lounge, our building’s rooftop terrace dedicated to all the employees who have been with Eight Eleven for 20 years. Where else can you go once you have reached the top? All too often we find ourselves fixated on living life as if it’s a race to the top with some imaginary finish line that we need to reach as fast as possible. We’ll make sacrifices, push limits, and change our lives just to better our chances of “reaching the top.” I know that’s originally how I viewed my own life, but as I sit in the Legacy Lounge and reflect on my time at Eight Eleven, I finally understand that that the journey of getting there is the best part. Truth be told, what the “top” represents will change and develop alongside your own growth. 22 years ago, the idea of us owning an office building, a national headquarters, would have seemed like the top. Yet here we are, and we have no intention of stopping! Whether this office is the next chapter in your Eight Eleven story, or just the beginning, I look forward to continuing to grow alongside you.

Welcome Home, Eight Eleven!