The Before Pictures

After a week of ordering everything from waiting room chairs to lab tools, harassing city officials for permits, getting insurance, setting up payroll, preparing insurance provider paperwork, buying and setting up server/computer/phone/credit card systems, creating a website, and who knows what else...we are well on the way to getting Del Bianco Prosthetics and Orthotics going. I thought I'd take some pics of how crazy it all is at the beginning.There will be a sign above the door area eventually but apparently it is a two week process (paperwork, estimates, approval by the committee, and then taking forever to do the work). This is just one example of how things take forever!! So for now we just have this little paper. The website http://www.delbiancopo.com/ went live last week and appears bug free although it has needs editing and more additions by Jim (we'll get to that soon, but at least it's searchable). We actually had a sales rep for prosthetics/orthotics come by the office last week when she found us online!My brother Daniel came out last Saturday and will be working with Jim for the next 8 weeks. As hard as I try, there was really only so much I can do to help with three kids. Daniel put together all 10 chairs for the waiting and patient rooms (could you imagine me trying to put them together with "little helpers" running amok?) and has been working like a whirlwind to get things in shape.The magazine rack was also put together by Daniel. The real question is which of those magazines would you pick up? I'm considering finding a nice silk tree on craigslist to go in that empty corner next to the reception window.We have some pretty cool artwork coming and I can't wait to take some pics and show you. For now it looks pretty barren, but is workable.Jim got some little frame from joining the Apex Chamber of Commerce so he put it there but it will probably be moved later. Apex has a business expo tomorrow so Jim signed up and will get his name out there a little. Jim has been moving at 100 miles an hour to get all of this done.Our computers will be set up by the IT guy tonight but Daniel got everything unpacked so we're not paying ridiculous rates for someone to unwrap a keyboard.The office area (actually the whole office) is the perfect size and setup for Jim as the business grows. The workstations are set up really well and after dusting everything out it's looking better and better. One of the best things about this office is it has a break room- something that makes a big difference for employees (not fun to eat at your desk) and that most offices we looked at didn't have. I didn't take a picture of the different patient rooms- they are good-sized and have a few of those black chairs in them. We have artwork coming and need to order doctor office tables. Another hallway view (that is the kitchen on the right, mop closet straight ahead, and two bathrooms on the left).

The server cave! Servers are expensive, complicated, and generally troublesome.

The major construction job that is going on is transforming this long, carpeted room with a divider (which is secured to the ceiling way too well and will require the implementation of dangerous tools to remove) into a lab for Jim. Daniel will have to remove the carpet, get rid of all that nasty yellow carpet glue, smooth and clean the surface, and put gloop on it to make it look nice. THEN we can get the huge oven and many other lab tools as well as make the work tables and stuff. This is the longest and craziest process and I don't know what we would do without Daniel. He barely took any lunch today and went right back to work. The first day of work he had plumbers and electricians giving estimates and was whipping everything into shape. We are really enjoying him being here-Nicole ran to HIM instead of Jim yesterday when they got home from work, it was hilarious. Poor Daniel has to sleep on the couch for the next two weeks until we move. We're also very glad Daniel will be here to help us pack. So overall, it's just a crazy wonderful time and we are so grateful we have the opportunity to pursue this dream!