A Five-Year Anniversary Story

By Danielle Verderosa of HR Allies

At the end of 2020, the world was upside down. Restaurants were operating on half capacity. Office buildings sat empty. Everyone was disinfecting their Amazon boxes.  And in the midst of that chaos, I voluntarily left my corporate human resources job to become a consultant and founded HR Allies. 

I knew I needed more than a logo and a laptop — I needed to work in a place that felt like a real business to me and looked like a real business to prospective clients.  That’s when I found Office Evolution – Fairfax.  They had just opened.  The floors were still covered with heavy-duty kraft paper and construction dust.  I was literally their first official member. 

I loved that we were both brand-new and figuring it out together.   

Fred and Danielle chatting at the 3 Year Anniversary Celebration

Office Evolution quickly became more than four walls – it launched me into the world of what solopreneurs need to succeed in business.  Not long after I moved in, Office Evolution hosted a small networking event — the first one I had ever attended as a business owner.  I met people who to this day are client referral partners of mine – and that event brought me my very first client. 

That moment changed my business — and my confidence. 

A month or so later, when that client paid me for the first time, I walked into Office Evolution and checked my mail.  Fred Franke was there.  When I told him “I just got my first client payment” he didn’t just say “congratulations.”  He celebrated with me – high fives and everything.   

Fred and Danielle pictured at the 5 Year Anniversary Networking Event

It’s one thing to rent office space.  It’s another to feel like someone is rooting for you – and that’s what I’ve always had with Fred (Owner), Canden (Community Manager), and the whole community at Office Evolution Fairfax. 

In that office, I built: 

• My first HR service packages 

• My first client proposal 

• The foundation of what HR Allies is today 

Now, through HR Allies, I am an Executive HR Advisor for owner-led businesses with 25–199 employees. I give decisive guidance on high-risk HR decisions — protecting the business from missteps so owners can stay focused on profitability, not HR chaos.

Office Evolution gave me a space to build my business.  HR Allies gives business owners their time, confidence, and sanity back. 

Happy 5 Year Anniversary, Office Evolution Fairfax!  Thank you for creating a community where entrepreneurs feel supported. 

I feel like we grew up together, and I’m endlessly grateful. 

Cheers to five incredible years — and to many more businesses finding their start here.

HR Allies provides HR and Compliance Solutions to Protect Your Business

If you’re a small business owner with HR worries that keep you up at night — hiring challenges, compliance risk, employee drama — HR Allies would love to support you. For more info. visit https://hrallies.com/

To hear more of how Office Evolution Fairfax can support your business, call us at 571-407-2001