In 2015, Patrick Layne, Valet’s Vice President & General Manager, started on a quest to update two major pieces of equipment in the Valet production facility: our edgebander and our panel saw. Patrick traveled all over the country (and even to Canada) and met with many machinery vendors and end-users (other manufacturing companies) in search of the perfect machines. After many long flights and meals on airplanes, all of his hard work and research paid off. Over the summer of 2016, we successfully installed a new Holzma HPP 300 panel saw and a Holzher Accura 1554 edgebander in our shop. 

The pace of Silicon Valley’s innovative industries’ growth is not slowing down, and neither are your work days. Now that global businesses are commonplace—running on diverse time zones—and instant communication options are boundless, what’s stopping you from working the hours that are most convenient for you and your company’s needs?

Work-life balance is a universal goal, regardless of your occupation, but it can be difficult to mentally separate from one or the other when your work and life compete for your time and—if you ever work from home—when they compete for the same physical space. Some Silicon Valley startups are making a point of paving the way for work-life balance out of the gate. But it’s not too late for you to create a context for balance even if work demands are in full effect and your hours are atypical.

I’ve got a soft spot for modern styling. There’s just something about clean, straight lines that makes modern homes like livable pieces of art. I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago by the Silicon Valley Modern Home Tour, which showcased homes in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Saratoga. Some of these houses were like walking into a late Mondrian painting – breathtaking.