Author: Ron Costello

I am an Indoff Partner and the owner of RC Interiors and Installation.
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Unlikely Alliances: Lessons from Basic Training That Shape My Business Today

Military life brings people together who would probably never cross paths in the civilian world. That couldn’t have been truer for me back in Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

When I think back to those grueling weeks with Charlie Company, 1-3, two names immediately jump out: Cotton and Drumwright. Together, we were a force to be reckoned with.

The Gentle Giant: Cotton

Cotton, hailing from South Carolina, was my true friend from day one. In a place designed to break you down, Cotton was the steady anchor. Standing tall—a literal gentle giant—he had a calm demeanor that made the chaotic days at “Fort Lost in the Woods” a little easier to manage.
He had a heart as big as his frame, and having him in my corner made all the difference when the days felt endless.

The Terror of the Barracks: Drumwright

Then there was Drumwright, straight out of Philly.

If Cotton was the calm, Drumwright was the storm. To put it bluntly: Drumwright was mean as hell. He didn’t just dislike a few people—he pretty much hated everyone. He had zero patience, an edge sharp enough to cut glass, and a total disdain for almost every face he saw.

But here’s the thing about Drumwright: he was our friend. As tough and cynical as he was to the rest of the world, if you were in his circle, he had your back completely. His fiery attitude taught me about intense loyalty, relentless drive, and using pure grit to push through any obstacle.

26 Mile Road March, C-Rations, and Taking Over

On paper, the three of us made zero sense:

The steady, kind-hearted giant. The short-fused, anti-social fireball. And me, right in the middle. But when it came time to execute? We dominated.

You don’t truly know someone until you’ve eaten C-rations in the dirt together or pushed through a grueling 26-mile road march. Under the weight of a heavy pack, full gear, and an M-16—with bleeding feet and burning shoulders—trust isn’t just given; it’s forged in the sweat and exhaustion.

Above us, our Drill Sergeant pushed us past our limits every single day. He taught me what true leadership really means: how to stay steady under extreme pressure and how to carry yourself with unshakeable confidence.

Cotton brought the steady strength, Drumwright brought the aggressive fire, and with the leadership drilled into us, we crushed everything the Army threw at us.

Carrying the Mission to Indoff

Basic training isn’t designed to be survived alone, and neither is business. The lessons I forged alongside Cotton and Drumwright, and the confidence instills by our Drill Sergeant in Army Basic Training—along with my time in United States Navy Recruit Training—aren’t just old memories. I carry them into my work as an Indoff Partner each and every day.

In business, you meet all kinds of personalities. You face tough challenges, tight deadlines, and moments where you have to carry a heavy load. But my military background taught me how to lead, stay calm under pressure, build unbreakable trust, and stay disciplined no matter how tough the march gets.

Whether on the field or in business, success comes down to steady leadership, team loyalty, and getting the job done right.

Charlie, Charlie 1-3 with Pride, Drill Sergeant!

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Project Recap: Open Plan Razor Installation in Lincoln, NE

What a day! As an Indoff Commercial Interiors Partner, I love turning blank spaces into functional work environments. Yesterday’s installation in Lincoln was a perfect example of great teamwork overcoming a few wild unexpected twists.

Here is how the day went down:

A Heroic Freight Run: Our semi-truck driver ran into a slight delay, but for good reason—he drove through a derecho all the way from Richmond, Virginia to get the materials to us safely!

Top-Tier Crew: Huge shoutout to Firefighters on the Move. They assisted with the offload, staging and the installation. Working tirelessly and delivering complete professionalism from dock to the end result.

The Final Reveal: We wrapped up the Open Plan Razor workstation installation by the end of the day. The space looks incredible, functions perfectly, and our client is absolutely delighted with their new setup.

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Project Spotlight: Blending Herman Miller AO2 with Open Plan OPS Workstations

At Indoff, we help businesses update their office layouts by combining existing inventory with fresh solutions. Here is a look at a recent project where we reconfigured workstations, blended new and used furniture, and solved on-site challenges to get the job done right.

Design & Sourcing

The client needed a new layout based on an initial drawing. After reviewing available inventory, I presented two systems furniture options:

Haworth Premise (N-Series)

Herman Miller AO2

The client selected Herman Miller AO2. To keep costs down while delivering a updated look, I designed a blended solution: combining their existing AO2 frames with new Open Plan OPS panels and worksurfaces. Everything arrived on time and passed a full inspection before install.

Day 1: Solo Workstation Reconfiguration

On day one, I handled the installation on my own. I reconfigured three existing AO2 workstations by moving the doorways from one side to the other, instantly turning the area into a more open, collaborative workspace.

Day 2: Installation & On-Site Problem Solving

Day two was focused on assembling the blended workstations:

Assembly Crew: I brought in Firefighters on the Move to assemble the new and existing components.

Cable Routing: While the crew assembled, I set up a 12′ ladder to pull and reroute excess Cat 6 cabling. It was a tight fit, but we managed to get just enough slack to reach the newly positioned workstations.

Clearing Space for the Kids: We also cleared out a tall stack of cardboard left over from a previous installation. The client shares space with a church, and moving that pile freed up room so the church kids had a safe area to play.

Day 3: Final Delivery & Client Walkthrough

To finish the project, I sourced three Meridian steel cushioned mobile pedestals from storage and delivered them to the site.

I completed the final walkthrough with the client, and he was very pleased with the result.

Planning an Office Layout Change?

Whether you need to reconfigure existing workstations or blend new and used office furniture, we handle the process from start to finish.

Contact Me Today to Discuss Your Project.

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Say YES to Comfort: Why the OM Seating Yes Task Chair is Your Ultimate Ergonomic Upgrade

If you spend long hours behind a computer—whether drafting in AutoCAD, managing spreadsheets, or running a business—you know that a bad chair can ruin your productivity (and your back).

Enter the OM Seating Yes Task Chair: a timeless, high-performance mesh-back chair engineered to adapt to your body, keep your blood flowing, and deliver what can only be described as sigh-producing comfort.

Here is why the Yes chair is quickly becoming the go-to choice for creative professionals, healthcare personnel, and modern office spaces alike.

Ergonomic Excellence Built for Real Work

A truly great task chair doesn’t just look good—it actively supports healthy posture throughout your workday. The OM Seating Yes chair hits every ergonomic sweet spot:

Mild Saddle-Contour Cushion: Designed to keep you firmly in place while you adjust your controls.

Weight-to-Floor Posture: By keeping your feet flat on the floor (with standard clearance behind your knees) and slightly pitching the seat cushion forward, the Yes chair transfers body weight effectively to the floor.

Optimized Circulation: Positioning your torso at slightly more than a 90-degree angle promotes optimal blood circulation—essential for staying sharp through long work sessions.

Total Spine & Shoulder Support: Built to eliminate lower back fatigue and upper body strain during intense screen time.

Standard Adjustable Seat Depth: Tailor the seat depth on any model to fit your leg length perfectly.

Ergonomic Tip: Even with an incredible chair, body movement is crucial! We always recommend taking a quick break to stand, stretch, or walk every 30 minutes to keep your energy and circulation high.

Customization That Meets Your Workstyle

No two bodies or workflows are identical. OM Seating offers a full suite of customizable mechanisms and arm choices to match your exact needs:

1. Tailored Armrest Options

Choose from a wide variety of arm configurations, including the popular orbiting arms or the fan-favorite KR200 Height-Adjustable Arms. Featuring a soft-touch surface, the KR200 arms provide the perfect landing pad to rest your arms and shoulders between typing sessions.

2. Supportive Headrest Choices

For designers, architects, and CAD operators who lean back to brainstorm and analyze complex drawings, adding a headrest provides indispensable cervical support during creative breaks.

3. A Fit for Every Body & Space

Weight Capacity: Heavy-duty performance rated at 275 lbs. and 300 lbs.

Versatile Sizing: A wide range of frame sizes ensures a tailored fit for any height or build.

Style Meets Function: The Neighborhood Mesh Collection

Who says ergonomic support has to look industrial? The Yes chair features a classic black mesh back, but you can effortlessly customize its aesthetic with Knit Jackets from the Neighborhood Collection.

Available in 9 distinct colors, these knit jackets instantly “warm up” the mesh back, allowing you to match your office decor or express your personal style without sacrificing airflow or support. Proven in Healthcare, Perfect for Your Office.

There’s a reason healthcare professionals and corporate administrators consistently say YES to this seating line. It brings a “can-do” spirit to express-yourself work environments, pairing proven durability with an accessible price point.

Contact me today to set up an OM Seating presentation and explore several models firsthand!

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Meet the OM5 Evolved: Intuitive Comfort for the Modern Workspace

Discover the OM5 Evolved Midback Polyflex by OM Seating—designed by Francisco Romero with Body-Activated Motion and a 350 lbs capacity.

Smart Comfort, Zero Knobs

In modern offices—from task desks to executive boardrooms—seating should adapt to you, not the other way around. Designed by Francisco Romero of Phidesign, the OM5 Evolved Midback Polyflex delivers intuitive ergonomic support without complex controls.

Why You’ll Love It

Body-Activated Motion: Automatically adjusts to your body weight—no cumbersome tension knobs required.

Built Tough: Engineered for long-term reliability with an impressive 350 lbs. weight capacity.

Proprietary Comfort: Features Virtual Pause feedback, Variable Back Response, and a Waterfall Flex front to keep blood flowing during long sessions.

Smart Maintenance: Includes a depth-adjustable, field-removable seat and optional arms to tailor the fit to your space.

Peace of Mind: Backed by OM Seating’s Lifetime Limited Warranty.

Whether upgrading a single workspace or outfitting an entire suite, the OM5 Evolved proves that high-performance ergonomics can be entirely effortless.

Interested in Bringing OM Seating to Your Office?

As an Indoff Partner supporting Lincoln, NE, I represent this line and can help you select, sample, or specify the perfect OM5 Evolved configuration for your workspace. Reach out today to discuss options or request a quote!

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Why CEDARS Hits Close to Home for Me—And How Lincoln Can Help Today

Watching the channel 10/11 news coverage this morning about CEDARS Youth Services woke up something deep inside me. It brought back a lot of memories, and it reminded me of why we must protect the most vulnerable members of our community: our children.

Being raised by two combat veterans, I know firsthand what it feels like to navigate a quiet, isolating world. I know the distinct loneliness of a young person trying to deal with poverty, trying to fit into a world where you feel entirely alone, and carrying weight that no child should have to bear. Through my life and work, individuals have shared their stories with me—stories of abuse and trauma that I will never repeat out of deep respect for their privacy. It is a heartbreak and a shame that young people in our city have to face these realities.

No child should ever feel invisible or unsafe. For nearly 80 years, CEDARS has been standing in the gap right here in Lincoln, acting as a vital safety net by providing emergency shelter, foster care support, and a safe haven for kids who have nowhere else to turn.

As an Indoff Partner supporting the Lincoln area, my business is about building functional spaces, but my heart is in building a stronger community. Today is Give to Lincoln Day, and the safety net for these kids relies heavily on us. I am reaching out to ask the public, my clients, and my neighbors to join me in supporting CEDARS.

Let’s show these young people that they are not alone, that they fit into our community, and that we are willing to stand up for them.

 

Click here to support CEDARS for Give to Lincoln Day

CEDARS | Lincoln NE