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The Office as a Stage

Jesse Cole transformed an abandoned warehouse into an innovative office space for the Savannah Bananas, embodying the team's 'fans first' philosophy. The office serves as a dynamic environment designed to spark creativity and celebrate individual contributions. This transformation illustrates the team's commitment to engaging communities through creative and grassroots efforts.

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By Original Series · B2bBaseballBrandloyaltyBusiness
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Key takeaways

01

Transformation of a warehouse into a creative office space.

02

Use of grassroots tactics to establish a new enterprise.

03

Integration of marketing and personal contributions in office decor.

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In this episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, shares with us that in the heart of a once-abandoned storage building, a remarkable transformation unfolded, birthing what is now a vibrant office space brimming with life and creativity. The journey began in 2015 when a small, determined team—including the company's founders and a notably young president—set out to revitalize a neglected space. With no functioning phone or internet services, the team resorted to grassroots tactics, using their personal cell phones to connect with the community and lay the foundation of their new enterprise.

The office itself is a testament to the culture and ethos of the organization, encapsulating the principle of "fans first, entertain always." This motto is not just a saying but a palpable part of the environment, with the office walls adorned with team members' likenesses and favorite things, celebrating each individual's contribution to the team.

The office walls are adorned with team members' likenesses and favorite things, celebrating each individual's contribution to the team.

Marketing is a core element of their strategy, cleverly integrated through themed decor that chronicles the evolution of the team through movie poster-style artwork, representing each year's highlights and milestones. This approach not only enhances the office ambiance but serves as a constant visual reminder of their journey and growth.

This narrative isn't just about transforming a space—it's about setting a stage where every day is an opportunity to perform and inspire.

This narrative isn't just about transforming a space—it's about setting a stage where every day is an opportunity to perform and inspire.

Video TranscriptExpand ↓

Welcome. This is our office. This is where it all started, from an abandoned storage building to now an office that we call home. And so all of our memories come back to our first few days here working at the ballpark. And as you can see, we've kinda created something special, by ourselves. So this is where it all started. This is the office. This is the abandoned storage building that we first walked into, back in twenty fifteen, myself, my wife, our twenty four year old president, and three twenty two year olds. And this was just a storage building for the professional team. So there was nothing in here. The phone lines were cut. The Internet lines were cut. And it was just completely abandoned. So we actually grabbed a a picnic table out, brought it in here, and grassroots started making calls, Literally picking up our cell phones and just calling people in this community, trying to work with the team. And, obviously, you could see we've now turned it into our own, you know, and I think this is pretty cool that our staff has actually painted this. I mean, we've painted the fans first, entertain always. Our entire team, once they become full time, they go on the wall. So we have our whole team joins up here, joins the team, all their favorites, their favorite likes, etcetera. Here, we're big into everything here as a show. So for the team, it's welcome to the show. It's obviously the great, show we do with Market Scale, but everything's a movie poster. So from the first year to the second year, third year, fourth year, you can see the evolution of the team from the banana mobile to we had a limo second year, different cars the third year, and then obviously in the kilts with the horse for the fourth year. But it really starts telling the story. And, you know, I think for most businesses, it's all about the story. You know, what's your story? And so our story starts right here. Just, some kids trying to figure it out. For us, it's it's bringing people together. So I hate using the word energy, but it's an energy. When we got back together after the virus, we immediately just started jamming, coming together, talking about ideas, started using whiteboards, and collaborating on what's next. And I think, that is hugely important. Again, it's not just a set agenda. Actually, give time for ideas. The best ideas come when you actually have some time to take a step back in JM. And so for us, we're constantly just going with no set agenda. And and for me, our president, Jared, we might not have a full, process of meetings on our schedule. We just think, alright. How can we walk around, meet with our team, inject some energy? The baseball team and the front office, a lot of times in any business, you have clashes between one department and the other department. For us, everything's worked together. And our coach is all in and understanding what our vision is, and it's the fans first experience. It's to create, a fans first experience for everyone. Make it the best summer for the players, the best summer for the staff, the best summer for the fans. And so when we're all together in that vision, we give him the ownership to say, guys, this is what we need to do. With a small space, a small office space, we wanna try to be as intentional as we can with every spot. And even from our first year, we started putting the first stories of the team. So literally when we first came to Savannah, our first stories, hey. Baseball's back. Who are these guys? Savannah's new team. Root for the home team. So even going in the hall, it's the story of how it all started. And I think going back to the purpose and the vision of who you are and getting back to your roots is so important. So even that opening night, that was a crazy disaster, pouring rain. We had no idea how to do all you can eat. The game didn't start till nine o'clock, but literally four thousand fans stayed to the first pitch. It just we'll never forget that night. And so we had that storytelling as we're walking out to the hall to kind of share, you know, where it all happens with the fans. So while I just shared with you the office, you know, our real office is right outside the store, and this is where it all happens. And with four thousand fans ready to come to a ballgame and have fun and see a a ballpark experience they've ever seen before, we know this is our first experience in front of them. So So when we go out the store, we see always on stage, and we gear up. You know? When you play sports, you know, you put on your uniform, you lace up your cleats, and you're ready to rock. For me, I put on this yellow tuxedo, this top hat. Our staff puts on their costumes, and it's showtime. We walk through right here, and it's go time. So this is what we do always on stage. Head out here. It's time to entertain the fans.

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About the Expert

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Original Series

Owner of the Savannah Bananas

Jesse Cole is the owner of the Savannah Bananas, a baseball team known for its innovative approach to engage fans and rejuvenate the love for the sport. Under his leadership, the team has become synonymous with creativity and the 'fans first' experience, inspiring others with their unique business strategies.

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