Locations

Here is a list of locations that all OfficeKey members have access to:

BLUE ASH

Westlake Center
4555 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 650
Cincinnati, OH 45242
Directions

DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI

Scripps Center
312 Walnut Street, Suite 1600
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Directions

HYDE PARK

Rookwood Tower
3805 Edwards Road, Suite 550
Cincinnati, OH 45209
Directions

NORTHERN KENTUCKY

Turfway Ridge Office Park
7310 Turfway Road, Suite 550
Florence, KY 41042
Directions

WEST CHESTER

Union Centre
9078 Union Centre Blvd,
Suite 350
West Chester, OH 45069
Directions

Clients

"Client Q & A: Meet Scott Jacobs of Queen City Angels"

Queen City Angels Queen City Angels (QCA) is one of the first, if not the first, angel group in the Midwest. Founded in 2000, QCA has funded approximately 90 startup companies, investing nearly $65 million. With over 60 members, QCA supplies “smart capital” to startups. It’s not just about the money. QCA firmly believes that it is their responsibility and obligation to mentor, coach, and guide entrepreneurs to success! Learn more about them and their Executive Director, Scott Jacobs in this month’s Client Q & A. 

Q: What is unique about QCA compared to other angel investment groups or venture capitalists?

A: QCA is so firmly dedicated to education (on angel investing and topics of interest to entrepreneurs) that we formed and recently received approval from the IRS for a 501c3 non-profit focused on education. If you look at the programs QCA with its partner HCDC have administered over the past 18 years (e.g. eKickStart, Morning Mentoring, Entrepreneur Boot Camp), you can clearly see how we’ve supported and helped build the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Q: How does Cincinnati stack up relative to peer cities with regard to development, retention, and support of its startup community?  And what could be improved?

A: Cincinnati stacks quite well with its peer cities. With #StartUpCincy leading the charge through Cintrifuse, Cincinnati has gotten more than its fair share of national press for all that is going on. The cost of doing business here is quite low, and we have so many resources. It is an easy city to navigate. Tech talent is going to cost you a lot less than on the coasts. There is a strong national movement to move toward the Midwest for all it offers, and we are going notice for the higher level of quality startups born here. We could improve by attracting the “boomerangs” back to Cincinnati to raise families, start new businesses, and attract C-level talent into our startups. We need to get more accredited investors off the sidelines and get them engaged in this space. Remember, net job growth in this country comes from small business. Not large corporations!

Q: Are you seeing a particular industry or trend that stands out as something poised for tremendous growth?  

A: Our society has really only scratched the surface on the technological possibilities utilizing blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. My personal opinion is that there is a tremendous upside in our use of these technologies and others. It’s about the data.

Q: What do you like most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

A: The staff is awesome, so kind and accommodating. The flexibility of being able to operate out of numerous locations is a great feature as well.

Q: What was your work experience prior to becoming the executive director of QCA?

I ran a “solo-preneurship,” marketing consulting practice; developing marketing plans for smaller companies and then staying on contract to implement the plans.  

Q: How do you spend time outside of work?

A: Mostly spend time with my family. My wife and I have three little ones, ages 6, 4 and 1.

Q: If you could have dinner with one historical figure (living or dead) who would it be and why?

A: Albert Einstein

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 

A: Tele-transportation – wouldn’t it be cool to see how people lived 100, 200, or 300 years ago. Imagine going to a Mozart performance? How cool would it be to see how life on our planet will be 100, 200, or 300 years from now.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Recent read, Bad Blood

Q: What is your favorite singer or band?

A: Radiohead 

Connect with Scott on Linkedin or check out QCA online! 

 

"A 33-Year Partnership"

On October 31st we celebrated the retirement of long-time OfficeKey client Tim Mara. Mr. Mara started with us back when we were called HQ. His start date was June 10, 1985, and the original term length was 6 months. Incredibly that turned into 33 years!

During his career, Tim has been a prominent advocate for citizens concerned about the future of their communities.  He has also worked with environmental groups and local governments. 

A few years ago Tim stated, “I’ve been with Office Key for thirty years now, and obviously I’m very pleased with their services or I would have gone elsewhere long ago.  What really makes it great for me as a lawyer who is a sole practitioner is that I don’t have to be bothered with hiring staff, getting substitute help when there is sickness or during their vacations.  And the continuity has been great because the turnover of OfficeKey’s staff is minimal.”

33 Years at OfficeKeySometimes people think of flexible workspace as a short-term solution.  Our partnership with Tim and several others like him prove that this is not necessarily the case.  We’re thankful that we have been able to work with Tim for so many years and wish him well.  

"Client Q&A: Steve Schaeffer of Creative Dimensions"

Creative Dimensions Agency in CincinnatiCreative Dimensions is a full-service advertising agency that specializes in strategic planning, advertising, design and branding, digital marketing, and media planning and buying. The company was founded in 1972 by a local advertising legend, Arnold Barnett. Steve Schaeffer purchased the agency in 2012. He has a background in copywriting and broadcast production, and has worked in the Cincinnati advertising market for the past 25 years.

Q: What trends do you see having an impact on the marketing industry in the near future?

A: “Cord cutters”—people switching away from traditional television in favor of internet-driven TV—are growing in number each day. For broadcast advertisers who don’t adjust to this trend and incorporate streaming commercials into their marketing plans, it means losing an opportunity to build brand awareness with an entire generation of increasingly connected consumers. Smart TVs and over-the-top (OTT) devices like Rokus are serving as the new disruptive technology that is driving a massive industry shift. 

Q: What marketing advice would you give to a business that is just starting out and has a limited budget?

There are a few things you can do that cost little or nothing. Begin by developing an “elevator pitch” to describe and sell your business in a minute or less. Networking is also a great way to get your name out there and help build your business. (I have to confess, however, that this is something I myself struggle with.) In terms of paid
marketing, the first thing I would recommend is developing a good website with good content. Once that is up and running, paid Google ads (Search Engine Marketing) can be very effective in driving prospective customers to your site, and you can set manageable limits in how much you would like to spend.

Q: What is the marketing campaign that you are most proud of?

A: We created a campaign for The Gilkey Window Company that features the grandchildren of their president, Mike Gilkey, and it has received a tremendously positive response. People have actually called Gilkey Windows to say how much they love the commercials, even people who aren’t in the market for windows. The Gilkey team has told
us that the “Lego” commercial is the best spot they’ve had produced in their 40-year history. As a result, the campaign has increased sales for Gilkey, which is obviously the most important reason we are proud of this work.

Q: What do you like most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

A: First, the staff at OfficeKey couldn’t be nicer. They are always professional, helpful and flexible, besides that, being able to work and host meetings at multiple locations has also proven to be a great convenience.

Steve Schaeffer, Creative DimensionsQ: How do you spend time outside of work?

A: I have a wife of 18 years and two daughters, 11 and 13, and most of my time outside of work is spent with them. Both daughters cheer for Loveland, so we are very involved in those activities. We have one of the oldest homes in Clermont County, therefore I’m constantly doing some type of home improvement, which I actually do enjoy. One of my other passions is horseracing, and I’ve qualified and competed in the National Handicapping Championship in Las Vegas two times. It’s like the “World Series of Poker for horseracing.”

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 

A: Being a mind reader would be nice (after all, I live with three women).

Q: What is the best vacation you ever took or the place you haven’t been that you would most like to go to?

A: My wife and I try to take vacations alone every couple of years, and some memorable trips were to Aruba, Italy and England. We would like to visit Ireland as well. Our favorite place to vacation as a family is Sanibel Island in Florida. We go there every other Spring break, and it’s always a wonderful trip.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: I have a couple of favorite movies, Goodfellas and Shawshank Redemption, and if I’m channel-surfing and one of them is on, I stop every time.

Visit Creative Dimensions online. Connect with Steve on Linkedin.

"Client Q & A: Adam Gross, Inc."

Adam Gross Incorporated

Adam Gross, Inc. is a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) and Services Provider for business technology focused on designing holistic, future-proof solutions to ensure that our customers are technologically equipped to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence. With a vendor-agnostic approach, outside-the-box thinking, and only the best interests of your organization in mind, we develop unique solutions to help our customers achieve a strategic edge over their competitors and realize a rapid return on investment in technology.

Q: What are the biggest IT challenges that you see small and medium-size businesses facing today?

A: Security, Cloud, and Technology Procurement. It seems that security will continue to be the #1 challenge for businesses of all sizes. AGI has a comprehensive security solution built on the best component solutions on the
market. With the right tech, you can drastically reduce your exposure to security threats. Cloud and Technology Procurement continues to be challenging for the same reasons.

Q: There are so many different options available at so many different price points – which solution is the best for your business?

A: To avoid purchasing the wrong cloud subscription, hardware, software, or technology services for your business, you need an expert advisor that you can trust to help navigate through all of the available options.

Q: Do you have any predictions about technological developments that will have a major impact on businesses over the next several years?

A: Cloud services of all types will continue to be “the big thing” for the foreseeable future, and with good reason. From the perspective of a customer who will consume these services, you can use services via a subscription model – you only pay for what you use. Competing services and technologies of all types have resulted in lower and lower
costs over time, making the cloud the best and simplest way to get what you need without having to purchase hardware and software, hire employees or managed service providers, pay for support, and perform maintenance on your equipment. There are still some very specific circumstances where the cloud may not be the best fit. Having a
trustworthy expert like AGI in your corner, you can be confident in your decision to go to the cloud, keep things on-premise, or go hybrid.

Q: What do you like most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

A: I love having my decked-out office in Florence and access to the conference and day rooms at the other locations throughout the city at an all-inclusive rate. All of the spaces are high quality, and the included services are extremely useful. The OfficeKey folks have been very accommodating and helpful. I’ve had a great experience and feel like
I’m getting consistently great value.

Meet Adam GrossQ: How do you spend time outside of work?

A: I love doing things with my little family. My wife and I have a four-year-old daughter named Rosslyn, with more to come, hopefully. We are members of The Metropolitan Club in Covington, KY. I enjoy a cigar and bourbon when I can.
Even outside of work, I spend a lot of time reading about and learning new technologies. Technology is my day job, my hobby, and one of my passions.

Q: If you could have dinner with one historical figure (living or dead) who would it be and why?

A: For me, it would be a toss-up between Isaac Newton and Nikola Tesla. The greatest minds to have ever existed. I have some very interesting thoughts and questions of my own that I would love to have the opportunity to discuss with either of these great people. I have had a deep and lifelong interest in philosophy, debate, theoretical maths,
and the seven liberal arts and sciences. It would be a life-changing experience I’m sure.

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? 
A: Time travel.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show?

A: Currently, Rick and Morty.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Currently, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.

Q:  What is your favorite singer or band? 

A:  Flatt & Scruggs

To learn more connect with Adam on Linkedin.

"LeRoy Robbins of TruStar Talent Solutions"

TruStar Talent Solutions was a client several years ago and outgrew OfficeKey. As many of their staff members began working remotely, they didn’t need such a big footprint, so they came back to us in March of this year. We are glad to offer flexibility in changing times. We want to thank LeRoy Robbins for taking some time to participate in our Q & A. 

Q: Tell us about TruStar Talent Solutions.

A: TruStar is an innovative talent acquisition problem solver and business partner for organizations wanting to access and hire top passive talent and leverage their talent as a competitive advantage. We build and deliver customized, yet scalable and cost-effective, talent solutions that drive better business results for our clients.

Q: What type of company represents TruStar’s ideal client?

A: We target mid-market and rapidly growing smaller organizations who need our talent acquisition capabilities and struggle to find the top talent they must have to achieve their business goals. We target organizations within 150 miles of us (so we can visit easily & frequently) that need expertise in finding and acquiring: top sales professionals, sales & marketing leaders, customer service, and data analytics, as well as executive leaders in HR, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations.

Q: What industries or position types have a particularly high demand right now and are there others that you expect to be dynamic factors in the years to come?

A: We work with most industries. But we see truly capable leadership in most industries is lagging as baby boomers are leaving the workforce in larger numbers than can be absorbed effectively by most companies on their own. We also see data analytics and the impact of machine learning and AI as huge new talent demands for most organizations.  

Q: TruStar has twice been on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies list.  What did that accomplishment mean to you and your business?

Being on the Inc 500 list is truly a testament to our amazing, ‘can-do’, and fearless TruStar Associates and to our fabulous clients who pull the best from us as we collaboratively solve their toughest talent challenges. It means our clients trusted us, and we’ve delivered success for them. And, consequently, they’ve told their friends about TruStar which has brought us new business.

Q: Prior to your business career you played baseball professionally in the Oakland A’s organization.  Was there anything that you learned from that experience that you apply to running TruStar? I think playing competitive sports taught me the value of teamwork in winning, everyone pulling in the same direction for the same goals. Playing sports, at a very high level, also gave me a mental toughness or grit which allows me to persevere through the hard stuff when others may waver. Playing professional baseball, you essentially play every day from early April (cold) until September. It makes you good at showing up every day, ready to deliver.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

A: We appreciate the flexibility our relationship with OfficeKey gives us. Most of our people work from home and only come to the office once every couple of weeks for teambuilding and sharing best practices. So, we don’t need a big office space we only use sparingly. Plus, the other offices around Cincinnati give us flexibility in meeting with clients in a professional business setting.   

Q: How do you spend time outside of work?

A: Outside of work, I truly have a blessed life. I spend lots of time with my wife, Carol, and our three grown kids and their families who all live close by. We have 12 grandkids ranging from 12 to 1 who keep us young (or exhausted ?). So, we attend lots of grandkids’ games and performances. We also have a wonderful home setting for our family with a pond and a pool and lots of room for playing all sports. Which means I also spend lots of “quiet” time mowing, keeping fishing gear ready and hooks baited and just enjoying watching our wonderful family enjoy life together.

Q: If you could have dinner with one historical figure (living or dead) who would it be and why?

A: John Wooden, the legendary college basketball coach. I aspire and resonate so much with his philosophy and approach to sports and life. He had a very simple but highly effective coaching and leadership style that I have tried to emulate and implement. I think trust is so key to being a good leader. If your people know they can truly trust you, they’ll unleash everything they have in working with you.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

A: Definitely, New Zealand. I am an outdoor dog and love being outside and experiencing nature. New Zealand, from the pictures I’ve seen and the films shot there, has so much diversity in terrain and breathtaking scenery. Plus, it doesn’t seem so commercialized from what I have heard.

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

A: Beaming capable. I would love to be able to beam from one location to another in an instant. Think about it, it would change everything! I would never miss anything truly important to me. We could be there for everyone we care about or who need us in real time.

Q: What is the last book that you read?

A: The Monster at the End of This Book (with a couple of my grandkids). But, I drink deeply from the Bible every day.

Q: What is your favorite movie or tv show? 

Princess Bride is my favorite. So funny, the most quotable movie for our family. It has something for everyone. Also, The Natural (go figure). That movie almost pulled me out of retirement from baseball back in the day.

To learn more about LeRoy and TruStar, visit their website.

"Peg Stookey, The Legacy Center"

Career change happens. You lose a job. Take a package. Decide to leave. Buy a business. Close a business. The Legacy Center helps people take control and make a change on their terms. Peg Stookey is the founder of The Legacy Center and an OfficeKey Client. Get to know Peg in her client spotlight! 

Tell us about The Legacy Center.

  • In its current iteration, The Legacy Center is just me. I help professionals that are employed, unemployed and self-employed to lead their future career/business success by providing career coaching and leadership training. Many of my career clients are in a job change situation so we work on “Change Readiness” and job search confidence.
  • I lead mastermind sessions for solo business owners to help them accelerate their success.
  • Because it’s a necessary tool for all of my clients, I spend considerable time helping them with overall personal branding, LinkedIn, resumes, elevator speeches, networking, etc.
  • The personal branding work has become so integral and enjoyable that I’m in the process of launching a new company, MaxPotential U and rebranding myself as a Personal Brand and Career Strategist. This is truly where my heart is; helping professionals to unleash their unlimited potential in order to create better work, life, relationships, retirements, etc.

Who is your ideal client?

  • Proactive, employed or unemployed professionals who want to go further, faster. Many of my cli
    ents come from P&G because I have a Change Readiness program that qualifies for their retraining benefit which is a huge win-win for them!
  • Solopreneurs who don’t want to be alone on their entrepreneurial journey, want help to lead their success as a business owner and also want to help others do the same. I offer individual strategic leadership training/coaching as well as small group mastermind and accountability sessions which I facilitate.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

  • I’m especially good at helping others see what they can’t: what’s good and right about them AND what they can do with that insight. I LOVE helping people to quickly make a huge turn-around, achieve more than they ever thought possible and learn to embrace change and uncertainty. This is transformational work which is extremely fulfilling.
  • Another aspect that I LOVE is that I work with brilliant people who have very different experiences and knowledge. I’m privileged to get to know them at such a deep level and learn from them.
  • Finally, I’m a StrengthFinder® believer! I’ve created a business model that leverages my top strengths of Futuristic, Strategic, Ideator, Activator and Maximizer. People often will say things like, “Wow! Your strengths really match your work!” It’s actually more strategic than that. I’ve created work that leverages my strengths. With very little effort, my work is joyful because I get to use the best of me nearly every single day!

What is the best career advice you were ever given?

Be authentic. Don’t try to be someone else, even if it seems to be what is demanded or expected of you. I struggled as a franchise consultant with the “good ol’ boys” way of doing the business. Ironically, it was a man who was hired by one of the “boys” to do a session on networking best practices who gave that advice. It transformed my approach and lifted a 5-ton weight from my shoulders. It was then that I started to succeed and then that I realized that I didn’t want to be part of that particular group. My first company, Legacy Connection, LLC was born not long after and I’ve never looked back. Another irony: I LOVE working with men (50%+ of my clients are men) and they sincerely appreciate my approach. I guess it’s both insightful and refreshing for them to have professional, purposeful, heartfelt conversations that help them explore areas that they’ve never traversed before.

What do you enjoy most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

  • I really appreciate that I can present a professional presence without having to invest in a full-time office. I’ve done the Panera/Starbucks approach and even had a dedicated office for several years. In order to do my best work as a coach and strategist, I need a quiet office space. I also need space for groups to meet and to do workshops. The diversity and flexibility really work for me.
  • I LOVE that there are 5 locations so that it’s convenient for me to meet my clients where they are.
  • Finally, the staff rocks!!    

How do you spend time outside of work?

I read a lot and love to cook, garden, play with our dogs and grandkids. I’m especially interested in learning about nutrition and how food acts as medicine when used correctly. It’s been pretty shocking to realize that nearly everything I’ve learned about nutrition is wrong.

What is the last book that you read?

I’m reading Food: What the Heck Should We Eat by Mark Hyman. It’s easily the most comprehensive, credible and life-changing nutrition/wellness book I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot of them).

To learn more about Peg and The Legacy Center, visit her website or join us for her Key Connections Presentation.

"Meet Juha Seppanen of Nordic Industries"

Juha Seppanen of Nordic IndustriesJuha Seppanen, founder & CEO of Nordic Industries, is our client spotlight this month. Nordic Industries is one of our many international clients. They have been with OfficeKey for almost 4 years. 

Q: Tell us about Nordic Industries.

A: Nordic Industries Development Group provides sales channel development and management services to industry leaders globally.

We combine operational consulting with the leading edge smart sales tool, The Rudolf, to enable our clients to be in full control of their sales channels

Q: Who is your ideal client? 

A: Dynamic and fast-growing company, which is looking for international expansion. They have marketing in place, good references and committed sales team

Q: What was it about Cincinnati (or maybe Blue Ash specifically) that helped you choose to establish your North American operation here?   

A: Support of Anne Cappel with her EACC (European-American Chamber of Commerce) network and Neil Hensley’s of Blue Ash. The manufacturing industries in Midwest and this region, in general, are very much similar to that of Scandinavia.

Q: What do you like most about your partnership with OfficeKey?

A: Business made easy. They are reliable, available, efficient and nice.

Q: What is the biggest difference in running a business in the United States versus Finland?

A: In USA there is more of administrative layers and paper filling.  Also to get to speak to right people is hard. In Finland, you do not need an introduction to your network. You just call the person.

Q: What do you most enjoy about living and working in the United States?  

A: People and Midwest weather.

Q: What do you miss most about being away from Finland?  

A: Vibrant SME community and openness to new ideas

Q: How do you spend time outside of work?

A: Kids hobbies, mainly Ice Hockey and dinners with friends

Q: If you could have dinner with one historical figure (living or dead) who would it be and why?

A: Leonardo da Vinci or Churchill.

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Things of the darkness by Harry Thompson. The Story of Admiral Fitzgerald and Darwin in their conquest of South America (before Darwin became famous)

Q: What is your favorite singer or band? 

A: Too many. From Rush to Pat Metheny…

Learn more about Nordic Industries 

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