Business
CEO Katharine Lau Has The Right ‘Stuf’
You wouldn’t necessarily know it if you saw it, but there are many underutilized spaces all across American cities. Natural entrepreneur Katharine Lau certainly noticed.
“I spent my entire career in commercial real estate. And over the years, I’ve become obsessed with underutilized real estate.
“It just seemed wasteful to me that someone built or bought this building and there’s all this space underneath that’s really not being utilized.”
Someone had to do something about these spaces. Why not Lau?
“It wasn’t until I had this spring cleaning and I needed self-storage, and I was trying to rent a unit where I was like, ‘Wow, this sucks.” Like, ‘This is awful. It’s far away. It’s sketchy.’
“There’s all this real estate in my neighborhood around the corner, and people need better storage solutions that are easy to access and just a better experience overall.”
So Lau co-founded Stuf, a next-generation self-storage company. Stuf partners with real estate companies and building owners to take these underutilized spaces and monetize them as tech-enabled storage spaces
A Place To Keep Your ‘Stuf’
Have you seen some of “Big Storage?” Companies like Public Storage and U-Haul have large spaces. No one is saying that self-storage had to be cute, but it can certainly be more inviting and modern.
Stuf makes self-storage ridiculously convenient. You download their app, book your space, drop your “stuf” off, and go about your business.
“We don’t have a single on-site employee. Everything is done through our laptops or our phones.
“Our customers, rather than needing a key, or needing a pin pad, or anything like that, one click on their phone and they’re in the space.
“On the operational side, we have eyes in the space so we know what’s going on. We have sensors, security cameras, access control.
“So, that even though we’re not there, we’re there. We secure items and make sure customers have a good experience.”
Movin’ and Groovin’
Not many people walk by a vacant lot and see its potential. It takes a certain mindset to look at nothing and see something. The “entrepreneurial spirit” has always existed in Lau’s world since childhood.
“I was always curious about [entreprenurship]. I joined large companies – stable, very bureaucratic companies coming out of college. That was a good experience, but it was just so slow-moving, and things didn’t really change day-to-day.
“That was pretty frustrating. It wasn’t until I joined a startup where I was like wow, wow. We can actually move and groove, and get creative, try new ideas.
“That really opened my eyes.”
Lau had found her future and hit the ground running. You can hear her passion in how she describes the work.
“I really like figuring out new things for the first time – finding the vendors, learning how to design it, learning what customers care about. I think that really puts me in a good position as the CEO and founder of a startup to be pioneering those new ideas.”
Of course, as with any new business, there were a couple of humps and bumps here and there. How you handle these challenges shows what kind of leader you are.
“This is the first time that I’ve had to really engage consumers, understand their psychology, understand what they care about when they’re looking for self-storage.
“If we’re now selling to and serving consumers, how is the marketing different? How do we operate differently? How do we set up the legal structure of the business in a way that makes sense? So so many things to account for simply because we’re serving a new stakeholder.”
While a CEO has to wear many hats for many situations, a great CEO knows their best strengths are relying on their team.
“Obviously you’re looking for skill sets, experiences that can really elevate your company, or make you go faster, do more.
“What I really look for when I’m meeting people or interviewing candidates is are they going the extra mile? Do they just answer the questions I ask or did they show not tell. Did they care enough to do a reverse reference check on the company? Is this a big decision for them that they care about? Because it goes both ways.”
“I want to say every team member or every person on our team has gone the extra mile or went the extra mile during the interview process, and so it means they’re going to do more than just their job.”
Stuf has been able to grow, not just under Lau’s leadership, but because of how her leadership has inspired better work from her team.
“There’s one person on our team who is always really, really creative with ideas. So if we’re faced with a delay or something like it’s going over budget, he has five different things, five different ideas. He gets so excited about that.
“I felt like his energy, I wanted to pull that out and bring that to the rest of the team so that they could approach the problem in a similar way.”
Paying It Forward
Given that Lau is an Asian-American woman in a white male-dominated industry (and country), she’s under a specific kind of pressure. She doesn’t just have to succeed because it’s a life requirement, she also has to succeed for the sake of Asian-American women everywhere. It’s an unfair burden, but a burden nonetheless.
“It’s so top of mind for me. Because of that, I don’t take business decisions lightly. I don’t overspend. We run a pretty lean operation, but we can do a lot with very little.
“I think the way I grew up, how I was raised really colors every part of this business operation because it’s so much of who I am.”
Lau doesn’t just take her success and run with it, she gives back.
“I’ve been a mentor. Or I’ve been mentored by many people throughout my career. I think mentorship is really important. I was a mentor for Apex for Youth for three years, and then after that was co-chair of the associate board.
“[Apex] is a mentorship program that serves underprivileged Asian-American, Asian and immigrant youth in New York City. So, I’m giving back to exactly the same cause that affected my parents. They were immigrants and had to learn how to live in America.
“I just think giving back, creating opportunities, having a team myself of two-thirds diverse people, show women or people of color that those are the ways I use my platform to give back and to make a change.”
Lau has been active in Apex for a long time. It’s a mentorship program for Asian-American youth but is open to all immigrants.
“The programs are really about everything from college preparation to how to adapt to and assimilate into American culture and succeed.
“There are a lot of things stacked against immigrant children. The way that standardized test questions are designed, the way that schoolyard communication and bullying can really affect children.
“So, the programs are really about preparing students for all types of situations, both personal and professional.”
Lau also finds the motivation to set a rewarding example in her own personal life.
“I’m seeing that now with my own daughter, how we mold and shape young people. So that’s really rewarding, and I hope I’m offering the same type of mentorship to people on my team, other young women that I know.”
“I hope through actions, I hope through the relationships I’ve cultivated and seeing those around me become successful because of a little bit of help from me, I think that’s what I’m going to be most proud of, or I hope she would be most proud of.”
Sexy Self-Storage
When you imagine the next big CEO you’d likely picture someone developing metaverse tech or artificial intelligence. You would not necessarily expect a woman in self-storage.
“I think self-storage has never received a lot of attention because it’s not sexy or cool. But it serves one in 10 Americans, and it’s a really creative way to extend the boundaries of home and work.”
Lau’s passion for entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and exploring a new industry is so clear in her descriptions of the work.
“I really love hearing the customer feedback, good and bad. Because I feel like initially when you design the business [you think] this offering or this solution serves this type of customer.
“But what you quickly find is maybe what you initially thought in your original hypothesis isn’t true.
“An example of that is I thought Stuff would really serve consumers first and foremost, so people who are moving, who need an extra closet.
“What I quickly learned was that there are tons of small businesses or even large businesses out there who need storage, and we’ve changed the way we’ve operated because of that.”
Katharine Lau and her success with Stuf surely inspire the next generation of CEOs and entrepreneurs.
“My initial advice to a young entrepreneur would really be to get a little bit of experience under your belt before you go out on your own and invest money, invest time, and invest energy.
“I think, at least personally, I’ve gained a lot from the experiences at even larger companies, at startups. And that took time. Had I tried to do this at 22 right out of college, I really don’t think I would be successful.”
Stuf was listed on FastCompany’s 10 Most Innovative Urban Development Companies in 2022. You can expect to see and hear a lot more from Katharine Lau as she passionately and effectively champions the entrepreneurial spirit while giving back to a community that has shared so much with her.
If you need inspiration for getting out and starting your own company, look no further than Katharine Lau. She’s got the right ‘Stuf.”
What was once old is new again: mid century modern is back in style. From architecture to furniture, the postwar look is in, and the hype extends all the way to office chairs.
Do you need a mid century modern office chair in your life? If so, there’s plenty to choose from. Your office chair should be tailored to your style, whether you like luxury, utility, or something in between.
That’s why we’ve put together our 10 favorite places to find your ideal mid century modern office chair.
What is mid century modern design?
After World War II, spirits were high in the US, and new technology was taking the country by storm. Mid century modern refers to the design concepts that came about during this time.
As opposed to the frilly, ornate designs of classical furnishings, mid century modern designs are angular, material, and functional. Wood is a common design element, especially teak. Mid century modern furniture may also have materials like glass, vinyl, and metal. Designs are simple and geometric, with bold accent colors to make them pop.
The mid century modern aesthetic never really went away, but it’s made a noted comeback in recent years. Some have chalked it up to Boomer and Gen X nostalgia, others point to mid-century-set shows like Mad Men and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Why should I buy a mid century modern office chair?
Mid century modern is the perfect fusion of style and utility. If you want to cultivate an office space that commands respect without being ostentatious, mid century modern is the style for you.
When it comes to office chairs, an MCM one is often made with sturdy wood and vinyl. They combine the ergonomics of a modern office chair with old-fashioned grace.
If you’re concerned with utility and utility only, a more bog-standard office chair may suit you. But a mid century modern office chair is great for someone who wants to wow colleagues with a mature, thoughtful business space.
Where can I get a mid century modern office chair?
1) Wayfair
When it comes to furniture, Wayfair offers the best of both worlds. Their goods, including their mid century modern office chairs, are stylish and affordable. You can get a sturdy task chair for less than $100 or a more distinguished seat for less than $350.
MCM office chair examples: Dovray ($126), Bradford ($139), Lithonia ($133)
2) France & Son
Wayfair’s chairs are affordable, but France & Son is the perfect option for luxury shoppers. Their mid century modern office chairs are robust and sleekly designed. If you dress to impress and enjoy the finer things in life, these are the chairs for you.
MCM office chair example: Brooks ($695)
3) Houzz
Started as a community for people to share home decor tips, Houzz has become a great ecommerce platform for finding stylish furniture. They’re more known for home decor than desk chairs, but they have plenty of great, affordable finds if you know where to look.
MCM office chair examples: Arvilla ($173), Rathburn ($259)
4) Laura Davidson
The Laura Davidson collection offers a fairly limited selection of classic office furniture. Still, there’s a reason they’re trusted by big-wigs like Apple, Disney, and Salesforce. Their chairs are sturdy and beautifully designed, reimagining classic Eames and Knoll designs.
MCM office chair examples: Rockefeller ($275), SOHO II Soft Pad ($450)
5) Icons of Manhattan
Icons of Manhattan has a simple philosophy: do one thing, and do it right. Their office chairs are handcrafted from premium materials and tailored to a mid-century modern style. If you want that Mad Men energy in your office (hopefully with a lot less angst), these are the chairs for you.
MCM office chair example: Ribbed Medium ($219)
6) Amazon
Yes, the internet’s premier shopping destination has a robust collection of mid century modern office chairs. Like with most products, their selection of seats is vast and can be hit or miss. Still, they’ve got stunning chairs available for any style, whether you care about comfort, class, or ergonomics.
MCM office chair examples: IDS Home Modern ($219), Art Leon MCM Swivel ($139)
7) AllModern
AllModern’s collection of desk chairs and other furniture truly embodies the mid century modern spirit. Their work is tight, angular, and functional above all. They’re part of the Wayfair family and they traffic in a number of modern styles, but their sleek chairs are perfect for any mid century modern space.
MCM office chair examples: Frederick ($229), Kealey ($349)
8) Overstock
Overstock is known as a one-stop shop for quality home goods at sub-wholesale prices. If you want a spiffy mid century modern office chair that won’t break the bank, they’re the first place to look. While they’re somewhat less reliable than the more upscale platforms on this list, their selection is massive.
MCM office chair example: Joseph Modern ($163)
9) Walmart
Hayneedle’s selection of mid-century modern office chairs falls somewhere between the minimal Laura Davidson and the endless Amazon catalog. Their array of mid-century designs is affordable and versatile, with chairs that match almost any style. While they may be part of the Walmart family, these chairs are anything but second-rate.
MCM office chair example: Waleaf ($97)
10) Target
Why splurge when you can save? As usual, Target is a hidden gem, offering a sturdy selection of mid century modern office chairs for some of the cheapest prices out there. Many of the chairs they offer are from the same designers as these other stores—Christopher Knight, LumiSource, Armen Living, etc.—at reduced prices.
MCM office chair example: Lombardi ($136)
A quality payroll service is one of the most invaluable tools any entrepreneur can have. Whether you’re a small business owner or an HR manager, paying your employees on time is crucial. This makes choosing a service even more weighty, after all, it is a heavy administrative burden. The good thing is, you can outsource this duty to an online payroll processor.
According to statistics, 49% of workers begin a new job search after just two paycheck errors, and with 65% of workers living paycheck to paycheck, it’s more important than ever to ensure an efficient, effective payroll process.
These services can save you precious time and mitigate potential issues. To make it easy for you to choose, we listed the best online payroll services for 2025.
Top 5 Online Payroll Services
Gusto
Gusto is a great option for both new and experienced payroll administrators, boasting an incredibly clean user interface and a first-rate payroll setup. Gusto lets you manage your employee’s time off (vacation and sick pay), company health insurance, and worker’s comp. Gusto offers excellent mobile access, too. This allows employees to manage aspects of their Gusto profiles, view payday insights, and access Gusto Wallet financial tools.
Gusto offers four tiers of membership, the most affordable of which is the Contractor’s Only plan, which offers unlimited U.S.-based and global contractor payments, supporting more than 100 countries, plus 1099 creation and filing at a rate of $6 per person per month with no base price.
The other three are Simple, Plus, and Premium. Here’s a deeper look into each plan:
Simple
Price:
$40/mo + $6/mo per person
Plan details:
- Full-service single-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
- Employee profiles and self-service
- Basic hiring and onboarding tools
- Gusto-brokered health insurance administration
- Employee financial benefits
- Payroll and time-off reports
- Custom admin permissions
- Integrations for accounting, time tracking, expense management, and more
Plus
Price:
$80/mo + $12/mo per person
Plan details:
(All Simple plan features +)
- Full-service multi-state payroll including W-2s and 1099s
- Next-day direct deposit
- Advanced hiring and onboarding tools
- PTO management and policies
- Time tracking and project tracking
- Workforce costing and custom reports
- Team management tools
- Full support
Premium
Price:
Bespoke pricing, reach out for a personalized quote
Plan details:
(All Plus plan features +)
- HR Resource Center
- Compliance alerts
- Access to certified HR experts
- Full-service payroll migration and account setup
- Health insurance broker integration
- R&D tax credit discount
- Waived fees and exclusive pricing
- Performance reviews
- Employee surveys and insights
- Dedicated support
QuickBooks Online Payroll
Founded in 1983, Intuit is a California-based financial software company. Since its inception, Intuit has developed into one of the best-known providers of accounting software. Their online payroll service, QuickBooks, includes the essential features you need to run payroll.
QuickBooks offers three tiers of membership. The least expensive membership covers basic accounting features, such as invoices. For more features, check out the Essentials and Plus memberships. Each plan’s features are as follows:
QuickBooks Simple Start (2025)
- Price: $38/month for 1 user
- Best for: Freelancers and small teams with basic payroll needs
Features:
- Automated bookkeeping
- 5 free ACH bank transfers/mo for bills
QuickBooks Essentials (2025)
- Price: $75/month for 3 users
- Best for: Small businesses needing deeper financial tracking
Features:
- Includes all Simple Start features, plus:
- Recurring invoices
QuickBooks Plus (2025)
- Price: $115/month for 5 users
- Best for: Growing businesses with HR and compliance needs
Features:
- Includes all Essentials features, plus:
- AI-powered profit & loss insights
- Anomaly detection and resolution
- Budgeting
QuickBooks Advanced (2025)
- Price: $275/month for 25 users
- Best for: Established businesses with HR and compliance needs
Features:
- Includes all Plus features, plus:
- Custom user management and permissions
- Custom report builder
- Data sync with Excel
- Revenue recognition
- Forecasting
OnPay
OnPay is a cloud-based full-service payroll processing system capable of running payroll according to a preset schedule, automatically disbursing wages, and calculating and withholding taxes.
OnPay can sync up with several other software your team is already using, making it easy to integrate the service into your team’s system. Another benefit of OnPays model is the simple, transparent pricing structure. No tiers; just one base rate.
Pricing:
$49/mo + $6/mo per employee
SurePayroll
SurePayroll’s award-winning service supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors. Additionally, it handles 401(k) deductions and manages flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA).
SurePayroll also offers a mobile app— available on both Apple and Android devices.
SurePayroll offers live support through its United States-based support team through chat, email, or phone.
Small Business Payroll
- Price: No Tax Filing: $20/month + $4 per employee, Full Service: $29/month + $7 per employee
- Best for: Small businesses and startups
Features:
- We file and deposit your federal and state taxes!
- Run payroll in 3 simple steps
- Schedule payroll to run automatically
- Unlimited payroll runs and free 2-day direct deposit
- Reports and pay stubs are available online 24/7
- Supports W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
Nanny & Household Payroll
- Price: Full-Service Household, $39/month, includes 1 employee, $10 per additional employee
Best for: Homeowners
Features:
- Signature-ready Schedule H
- We file & deposit your federal and state taxes!
- Run payroll in 3 simple steps
- Schedule payroll to run automatically
- Unlimited payroll runs and free 2-day direct deposit
- Reports & paystubs available online 24/7
- Supports W-2 employees & 1099 contractors
Be sure to choose a payroll service that works for your business, and provides you with the peace of mind that comes with a reliable bookkeeping system. Your employees will thank you.
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