Forget 9 Clouds. From this day forward, our company shall henceforth be known as 3 Sarahs.

Kidding, of course. But since I started with 9 Clouds on Tuesday, the crew now includes three different people named Sara(h). That’s 50 percent of our full-time staff! To make matters even stranger, all three Sara(h)s own Chevy Impalas, and two of us have blonde curly hair–and she and I happened to be wearing practically the same shirt yesterday.

It’s starting to get a little freaky.

Actually, these similarities are just the start of the things I seem to have in common with my new coworkers. I’m only four days in, and already I feel as though we’ve all been friends for years. The team has done a fantastic job of making me feel not only welcome, but also like I truly fit in.

(I suppose with a name like Sarah, fitting in was only inevitable.)

Office Space

Before coming to 9 Clouds, I was a freelance writer with a few part-time jobs on the side, so I was a tiny bit concerned about whether it would be tough to adjust to a full-time position. But after a week of watching the office door swing open and closed as people come and go, I now know I had nothing to worry about.

I’m not saying that there aren’t parameters to meet or that the staff isn’t hard working–completely the opposite. From what I can tell, each employee is highly committed to their craft, often logging long hours to make sure their work gets done, and done well.

Still, there’s definitely an air of freedom here at 9 Clouds. Team members are lent some flexibility in both location and schedule in order to maximize their time and make work fun. Every Friday, for instance, the staff meets at a nearby bakery to enjoy a change of pace (and a delicious latte).

But being in the actual office is just as awesome. Not only is the space itself amazing–great view, cool loft, desks that allow you to either sit or stand–but everyone here is both friendly and laid back, always eager to help one another out. It’s especially nice for a newbie like me!

I can already tell that the office culture at 9 Clouds is the perfect blend of casual and diligent, fostering an environment in which employees are actually excited to go to work.

What more could I ask for?

Online Overload

The other unusual thing I’ve noticed about 9 Clouds is that everything–and I mean everything–is online.

I suppose this makes sense, given that we are a digital marketing agency. If we’re to have any credibility with our clients, we’d better practice what we preach, right?

Still, it’s a little crazy how computerized this place is. All information is kept in cloud-based technologies, and even much of our internal communication is done via Gmail or Skype. The only items on my coworkers’ desks–other than laptops–are plants, picture frames, and the occasional pen. My first day here, I had to walk down the hall to find a printer (and even that was about as humble as something you’d find in a typical home office).

While all this takes some getting used to, the mess-maker in me is overjoyed that I won’t be able to lose any files or forget where I put something. With our world becoming increasingly more digital, 9 Clouds is constantly keeping one step ahead of the rest. It’s a lot to learn, yes, but it’s also a lot to love.

Looking Forward

Overall, this has been a phenomenal first week at 3 Sarahs 9 Clouds. From morning meetings over coffee to happy hour with the Lemonly crew, my first few days here have been nothing but fun. (And, okay, a whole lot of research. I’m telling you, there are a lot of websites to learn!)

It’s only been four days, but already I feel so comfortable here at 9 Clouds. I feel unbelievably fortunate not only to have found work that I love, but also to be able to do that work with people who are as passionate about their relationships as they are about their jobs. They’ve taught me so much already, and I know they’ll continue to be great mentors–and friends–in the weeks and months to come.

Cheers to our staff of Sarahs!