Return to Virginia Business - March 2003

Everyone wants to appear professional, even when working from a bedroom. For many homebound entrepreneurs, though, presenting a professional office environment to customers is often their biggest problem. For lack of a better option, many end up renting costly office space — which goes unused most of the time, but comes in handy during face-to-face meetings with clients.

Now, thanks to Business Center International of Richmond, the self-employed population of Virginia has another option. The company offers a virtual office. For $225 a month, renters get access to office services including copiers and fax machines, a receptionist to answer the phone and direct calls and mail service. For those eager to convene with clients, the package also includes 16 hours of office meeting time every month at the center’s attractive lakefront office complex in Innsbrook Corporate Center in Henrico County.

Owner Ali Abbasi came up with the concept of a virtual office in response to the growing number of local entrepreneurs. “Because of home employment, there are a lot of people working who really need a professional office environment but not a full-time office,” he says. Abbasi says the idea appeals to people used to working in an office but who can no longer justify renting a full-time space.

So far, about 30 people including lawyers, financial planners and insurance brokers, have signed up for the plan. For those leery of long-term commitments, Abbasi’s package requires only a one-month commitment and a 30-day cancellation notice.

There’s even a plan for people who need a little help, but not the total package. For $125 a month, the Corporate ID plan includes all of the luxuries of the virtual office except the office meeting time and U.S. mail service. If successful, Abbasi plans to begin a 24-hour service, making virtual office space a reality every minute of the day. All we need now is for someone to invent the virtual vacation.

Return to Virginia Business - March 2003