Incorporated in 2004, Vargas Associates started out with its employees working from home. That was a way to keep overhead low during its early days.

Business has taken off over the past five years, and the firm moved into its new location at 40 Humboldt Street in early November.

Vargas Associates helps businesses deal with mergers and consolidations, growth plans and increasing work space capacity. Even though business has slowed a bit during the holiday season, the company's president says this has been a good year.

"We've actually had some hires this year and I think that's a testimony to the fact that we've gone out there and done some great work for some wonderful organizations who have not only reciprocated by continuing to ask us to do more but strong referrals to other organizations who need help," said Vargas Associates President Christine Vargas.

Vargas has seven employees. Clients come to them seeking help with renovations, relocation and inventory management.

The idea is to help businesses that may be going through a transition to get through it as smoothly as possible.

"We go through up front budgeting, scheduling to give you a feel as to how long it's going to take, and what it may cost you to get through the initiative. If you have internal suppliers we can certainly work with them, if you have suppliers you prefer to work with we work with everybody," said Vargas.

Vargas Associates also has an interior design department and believes it is important these days with top level management sometimes spending more time at the office than at home.

The goal is to make work conditions comfortable and inviting. Wegmans, Xerox, the University of Rochester Medical Center and City of Rochester are just some of Vargas's long running clients.

Vargas Associates