So what exactly do you do anyway? A look at the non-nine-to-fivers
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Common-Market
As a freelancer, I spend my days bopping from coffee shop to market to patio and have been observing a very vibrant existence of the folks who do not fall into the traditional 9 to 5 office schedule.
If you’re like me, or any of the people profiled below, you’ve always wondered I know what I’m doing here, but what exactly do these other people DO?
While most of our city sits in a cube all day, who are these people that get to sit outside on their laptops and how are they sipping Chardonnay before noon on a Tuesday? We aren’t in Paris after all. This week I visited two popular spots for those that don’t have an office to find out. Turns out our little town might not be as corporate as we think it is…
Common Market South End
Tuesday || 10:55 – 11:47 am
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Who: George Dale, 20, Photographer
The Story: Business planning for the launch of his new company GDP + CO.
“My Main offices are here and the Not Just Coffee at the 7th Street Market, they’re just awesome communities to be in.”
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Who: Justin Williams, 21, Graphic Design Student
The Story: Helping out his bud George with business planning.
“It’s my first time here, this place is mad cool.”
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Who: Art Basler, 31, Teacher at CPCC
The Story: Prepping to teach his Freshman Writing Class. Works from CM 4-5 days a week in the mornings and teaches in the afternoons.
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Who: Bethany Deac, 30, Interior Designer, Founder of Vive Collaborative and Bridget Crane, 31, Interior Designer
The Story: Work together at Vive Collaborative and in from New Orleans and Dallas to meet with country clubs.
“We believe that you don’t need an actual office space, instead you should work amongst your community and be inspired by your own environment and surrounding culture.
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Who: Jason Curry, 38, President of a dot com
The Story: Meeting a friend and monitoring work from phone.
“I work 24/7, but I can do it from anywhere.”
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Who: Charles Ovett, 39, Personal Assistant, Visual Artist, Drummer in a noise rock band
The Story: “It’s hard to explain. I’m just happy.”
Not Just Coffee at The 7th Street Market
Wednesday || 10:34 – 10:52 am
Who: Gareth Eckley, 32, Account Executive, LaCoste, New York City
The Story: In town from New York for a meeting with Belk Department Store on Friday and here pulling together a presentation for that meeting.
“A friend told me that was the spot to come.”
Who: Greg Basch, 24, Real Estate Professional
The Story: Has an office but most employees work remotely.
“I’m here working, but mostly hanging with my friend Brian.”
Drink of choice: “Caramel Latte. I know it’s girlie but it’s what I like.”
Who: Brian Schindler, 25, Wedding + Lifestyle Photographer
The Story: Able to work from anywhere; here because he loves the people and the coffee.
“I love being a part of the community here, it keeps my energy up.”
Who: Anna Naphtali, 33, Photographer, Stylist, Design Consultant
The Story: She usually works from her studio in South End but needs to pick her daughter up from a nearby school in a hour, so working from here until then.
Who: Paul Chabai, 26, Associate Campus Director at Elevation Church Uptown
The Story: Needs to be near Uptown campus for meetings, but likes working outside of the office because “the environment gets my creative juices flowing and I like to run into people that attend our church on Sundays.”
On his last name: “It’s Ukrainian but both parents are from Argentina. I love Charlotte, I’ve lived here for 23 years.”