"Our philosophy is happy is good for business. If you take care of your people first, they will then take care of the clients, which is good for business. Most companies flip it." - Joey LoSurdo, Embark Chief Operating Officer
On the east side of Deep Ellum, an old industrial warehouse has been turned into an office that feels more like a hotel.
A bar with both cold-brew coffee and beer on tap stretches nearly the length of the ground-level floor. Cozy desks and modern furniture beckon, and a "hoteling" setup means there are no assigned seats. A foosball table, shuffleboard and other amenities are there for those who need a quick break from work.
The sense of hospitality is purposeful for Embark, an accounting and management consulting firm. It's intended both to encourage workers to come in and to give it a show-stopping place to welcome clients.
Built in 1926, the property was once an office for Nordstrom's now-defunct Trunk Club. Embark moved into the building in 2022. For its latest tenant, the 32,382-square-foot commercial building was given a modern makeover, with lots of warm wood and sleek accents. But its industrial past still shines, from a freight elevator to the exposed high ceilings.
More recently, a separate annex was constructed that's connected to the main building by a small paseo. The annex is dedicated to amenities and hosting events, and it has two TrackMan golf simulators that see lots of use, as well as a pingpong table and more coolers stashed with drinks for alcoholic and nonalcoholic.
Embark does not have an official policy for when workers have to come into the office, Chief Operating Officer Joey LoSurdo said. Consultants make up more than 80% of its workforce of about 620, so they're often on site with clients anyway.
Instead, the office is intended to be a welcoming gathering spot and the cultural heart of the company. The Deep Ellum headquarters can host trainings, board meetings and company happy hours. A weekly video is produced from the upper floors that keeps everyone up to date on the latest priorities and wins, and "Embarkers" can pick up the latest company-branded swag in a merchandise shop.
The hospitality found in this office extends beyond its walls, as well. For example, customized gifts may be sent to clients or employees for personal milestones, like a pair of customized Embark baby sneakers when a new child is born, LoSurdo said. In that way, the physical HQ serves as a physical example of a wider cultural pillar, one that this firm's leaders think set it apart in a town swimming with consultants.
