A distance-based design approach has made an impact at Vari. Pictured is VariSpace Las Colinas. Image by Vari.
Bob Fox – Tell us about Vari and what kind of work you guys are doing.
Jason McCann – We started our journey about seven years ago, creating one of the most popular sit-stand desks in the world – the VariDesk. That original product has well over 2 million fans and in over 130 different countries. As our journey evolved, we started to dream about the office of the future.
In the last few years, we have created about 200 different products that are in the market today – from conference tables to lights to storage to movable walls. We have another 300 or so product ideas that are in the pipeline. As we went through this process, we realized that while everyone recognizes a VariDesk, our name was a touch limiting. People just think “desks.” So we underwent a multi-million dollar rebrand in February to become “Vari.” As Vari, we have the freedom to expand our line of innovative workspace solutions. We haven’t abandoned VariDesk, we kept the VariDesk name for our line of height adjustable desktop risers, the product that started it all.
Bob – I understand that now you are not only making office products, but you are now in the real estate business as well?
Jason – Yes, it has been an incredible journey. Clients from all over the world come visit us our headquarters right in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. When they walk into the space, they experience our culture, energy, and people – it’s a living, breathing showroom for our products. Clients started to tell us that they loved the products, and that they wanted the same energy in their own space.
At the same time, flexibility is driving a structural shift in the leasing market. JLL predicts that by 2030 flexible workspaces will comprise 30 percent of the commercial office market. Tenants are seeking flexibility; they want shorter lease terms and space that can adapt to their changing needs. Flight to Quality is showing us how much workspace matters for recruitment and retention. Demand for Class A spaces is increasing steadily.
We saw the trend. We bought our first building at the end of 2018, the former Zales headquarters in Las Colinas, Texas, and we reimagined and redesigned the building as our first VariSpace location. VariSpace brings together first-class amenities and flexible space solutions in a multi-tenant campus ideal for enterprise-level tenants. We now have two 400,000 plus SF buildings, both 15 minutes from our headquarters.
Plants and partitions to help achieve distance. Image by Vari.
Bob – How many employees do you have?
Jason – We’ve gone from two of us to over 350 employees now. Even now, we have more than 20 open positions.
Bob – Well, that’s some exciting growth! How long have you been in business?
Jason – The original product idea was started in 2012. We became an official business in 2013 and we’ve been growing like crazy ever since.
Bob – One of the things that WDM is particularly interested in is how people are getting value out of their workplace. Since you’re at the heart of creating and furnishing these environments, I’m curious to know where you think you are getting the most value and how your clients are using their environments to their benefit?
Jason – One of our greatest differentiators has always been flexibility. We created a full suite of office furniture solutions that are not only easy to install, but easy to move.
When you consider all the uncertainty we’re facing today, flexibility becomes even more important. The return to the office will happen in phases, and we already know that many office floor plans won’t work as they are. However, within a few days, weeks, or months of returning to the workspace, office design will inevitably need to flex and change… and then change again. And we know there will always be new challenges, even when we’re through this pandemic. The flexibility of the workspace solutions that Vari provides allows our clients to get the most out of these environments.
Bob – In your position as CEO, how do you use your space to communicate your core values and your mission to drive your objectives forward?
Jason – Your people create your culture. As you hire people who embody the company’s core values, they add to the DNA and fabric of the culture of the business.
We designed our space in a way that aligns with our values. It’s not just about having the words on the walls (though we do that), it’s about demonstrating the principles. For example, one of our values is “Be Authentic.” The importance of transparency is physically evident throughout our building – our C-Suite offices have no doors and are built using clear walls.
We also share our core values in conversations with our customers. These conversations are happening all the time since we started on a journey to help create happier, healthier, more productive workspaces. Over time we have recognized that we’re elevating people and transforming cultures through workspaces, so we changed our vision of the business.