Sheppard's Business Interiors

This Labor Day, we’re celebrating the people behind the work ... US!

Behind every workplace is a team of people who made it happen.

The designer who turned an idea into a vision.

The project manager who kept all the pieces moving.

The warehouse team who receives, organizes and prepares everything to help keep projects on track.

The installer who made the final details come together.

The craftspeople who built the products.

The client who believed in the possibilities.

And the countless people whose hard work often happens behind the scenes.

Workplaces don't build themselves. People do.

This Labor Day, we're grateful for the people who show up, solve problems, lend a hand, create something meaningful and make progress possible ... every single day.

To our SBI team, our partners, our clients and workers everywhere: Thank you for the work you do. And thank you for making a difference.

Wishing you a safe, restful and well-deserved Labor Day.

Friday Workplace Thought 💭

What if the problem isn’t that people don’t want to come into the office… What if the office simply isn’t giving them enough reasons to come? The workplace has to do more than provide a desk and a place to plug in.

According to Steelcase research, people need workplaces that support focus, collaboration, socializing, learning and rejuvenation ... not just one type of work.

Because some days, you need a quiet place to think.

Some days, you need a room where an idea can turn into a breakthrough.

Some days, you need to bump into a colleague, grab a coffee and have the conversation that never would have happened over Teams.

And some days?

You just need to feel like you belong somewhere.

The best workplaces aren't built around desks. They're built around people, purpose and possibility.

So maybe the question isn't “How do we get people back?”

Maybe it's:
“How do we create a place people actually want to be?”

There’s something special about creating a place that truly feels like home.

SBI partnered with BCDM to furnish the Benedictine Mission House in Schuyler, Nebraska, a residence designed to provide comfort, connection, and a welcoming sense of home for the monks who live there.

Thoughtful furnishings bring warmth and purpose to both shared and private spaces, from comfortable living room seating and conference room chairs to custom Zongkers pieces crafted specifically for the residence.

In the dining and prayer spaces, custom tables and chairs create places for gathering, reflection, and daily life ... spaces where community can naturally come together.

It’s more than furnishing a space. It’s about creating an environment that supports the people who call it home.

See how this space came together. Explore the Benedictine Mission House project: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nYcK0

A workplace designed to bring people together.

Olsson’s new Omaha office at The Row at Heartwood Preserve is a modern, sophisticated workplace thoughtfully designed to support collaboration, connection, and the evolving needs of its teams.

SBI was proud to partner with MCL and APMA to help bring the vision for the space to life, providing furniture solutions throughout key areas, from collaborative commons and training spaces to meeting rooms, boardrooms, and welcoming public spaces.

The result is a workplace that balances functionality, comfort, and refined design, creating an environment where people can focus, connect, and collaborate throughout the day.

We love being part of projects that go beyond simply furnishing a space. It’s about creating environments where people feel inspired to do their best work and come together in meaningful ways.

📍 Explore the Olsson project: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nWQb0

Friday Workplace Thought 💭

School is back in session.

And while the backpacks are packed, the pencils are sharpened and the classrooms are buzzing again, there’s something easy to overlook:
The space where learning happens matters.

A classroom is more than four walls, desks and a whiteboard.

It’s where a student raises their hand for the first time.

Where a quiet kid finds their voice.

Where a group of students turns an idea into something bigger.

Where teachers build relationships, spark curiosity and help students believe in what they’re capable of.

New 2026 research continues to explore the connection between learning environments, student engagement, motivation and communication.

Because when we think about education, we shouldn't only ask: “What are students learning?”

We should also ask: “How does the environment help them learn?”

The best learning spaces don't just accommodate education ... They inspire it. ❤️

Here’s to a new school year full of big ideas, brave questions, new friendships and countless moments of discovery.

Thinking about what your learning environment could do differently this year? Let’s start the conversation.

Contact Us (https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nYdt0)

The Future of Learning Is Changing. Are We Ready?

Education is evolving at an incredible pace. AI is reshaping how students learn. Faculty are rethinking curriculum. Institutions are navigating funding challenges. And students continue to value spaces where they can connect, collaborate and belong.

SBI hosted Steelcase’s “Forces Shaping Education: How to Design Learning Environments for What’s Next,” round table, bringing together leaders from UNMC, UNO, University of Nebraska System, Boys Town, Creighton and Metropolitan Community College for a meaningful conversation about what’s ahead.

Our roundtable conversation brought these trends to life. We heard about:
• The challenge of balancing AI with foundational, hands-on learning
• Growing demand for collaborative spaces where students can learn from one another
• The need for adaptable and inclusive environments, including private spaces for students with different needs
• How AI is changing classroom participation, assignments and academic integrity
• The pressure institutions face as public funding declines while the cost of higher education continues to rise

The takeaway? We may not know exactly what learning will look like five or ten years from now, but we can create environments flexible enough to support whatever comes next.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared your experiences. The most meaningful insights often come from sitting around the table and asking, “What shifts are you seeing?”.

💬 Have a topic you’d like to explore at our next roundtable discussion?

📚 Interested in CEU opportunities with SBI and Steelcase?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to the SBI team to start the conversation.
Contact Us (https://na2.hubs.ly/H07st200)

When great design comes together, the details make all the difference.

We’re proud to have played a part in bringing Enterprise Properties’ vision to life ... a modern, sophisticated workplace that feels open, connected, and thoughtfully designed from every angle.

SBI collaborated with RDG, Hawkins, and Quality Glass & Mirror to bring the project together. A major highlight was incorporating Falkbuilt’s architectural solutions, including Kai Glass Fronts with sliding and swing framed doors, along with a Taz Framed Telescoping Glass Wall.

The result is a space that beautifully balances transparency, functionality, and flexibility, proving that architectural solutions can do more than define a space. They can shape how people experience it.

We love seeing a project come together where every partner, product, and detail has a purpose. This is what collaboration looks like.

✨ See the full project: https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nXkM0

&Mirror

Two companies. One building. Two spaces designed with purpose.

Hershey State Bank and C2 Building Company may share a building, but each space was designed to reflect the unique identity and needs of the company within it.

Working alongside our project partner, TACK Architects, SBI helped bring both spaces to life with thoughtful furniture selections and workplace solutions tailored to each company.

For Hershey State Bank, the goal was to create a welcoming, professional environment that makes a strong first impression and builds trust with clients from the moment they walk through the door.

For C2 Building Company, the space brings a modern, functional feel to their workplace while supporting collaboration, productivity and the day-to-day needs of their team.

Two companies. One location. Distinctive spaces.

Explore both projects and see how SBI brought each vision to life.

Our Work (https://na2.hubs.ly/H07nR8N0)

Friday Workplace Thought 💭

Maybe the question isn’t “How do we get people back to the office?”

Maybe it’s “Why would people want to come back?”

New research is giving us an interesting answer: connection matters.

A 2026 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that even occasional time together in the office increased communication, strengthened relationships, and reduced employee turnover. (NBER, 2026 (https://na2.hubs.ly/H07mJKw0))

And according to Gallup’s 2026 workplace research, only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged at work, a reminder that simply being in the same building doesn’t automatically create engagement. (Gallup, 2026 (https://na2.hubs.ly/H07mK2Z0))

Because people don’t come to the office for the office.
- They come for the people.
- The quick conversation that sparks an idea.
- The mentor who takes five minutes to help.
- The teammate you didn’t realize you needed to see.
- The laughter between meetings.
- The feeling that you’re part of something bigger than your to-do list.

The future of work probably isn’t about choosing office vs. remote. It’s about creating workplaces that make connection, collaboration and belonging worth showing up for.

Friday thought: Don’t just design a workplace people have to come to. Design one they want to come to.

A modern space, designed with transparency and flexibility in mind.

Enterprise Properties partnered with SBI to create a sophisticated workplace featuring expansive glass solutions and refined architectural details. Our team worked closely with project partners to bring the vision together from coordination through installation.

The project features Falkbuilt Kai Glass Fronts, including sliding and swing framed glass doors, along with a Taz Framed Telescoping Glass Wall that adds flexibility while maintaining an open, connected feel.

Falkbuilt’s prefabricated solutions offer a smarter approach to construction, helping streamline installation, reduce on-site disruption, and deliver consistent, high-quality results. When paired with SBI’s project expertise and collaborative approach, clients benefit from a seamless process from planning through installation.

With glass provided by Quality Glass and Mirror and collaboration across RDG and Hawkins, the finished space brings together transparency, functionality, and thoughtful design.

Take a closer look at the project → See how Falkbuilt prefab solutions helped bring this space to life.
https://na2.hubs.ly/H07jgyj0