There comes a time when many of us need to move on, do something different, take a chance -- you know, all those cliches.

So it was with me after 20 years with the Gannett company, the last 12 at the News-Press in Fort Myers, where I was the assistant managing editor for business and sports.

The opportunity came to team up again with Otis Wragg, an old newspaper friend from Lakeland, who had gone on to put together the state¹s largest independent public relations firm, Wragg & Casas.

When Otis, and his partner, Ramon Casas, asked if I would be interested in opening their West Coast office in Fort Myers, the opportunity was far too great to turn aside. So, in early March, we made a deal, and a month later I had my own office. Little did I realize what would go into establishing a new business.

Many of you, I'm sure, knew exactly how to set up your office. But if you're about to do it or know someone who is, let me tell you some of the things that helped me get through the process.

The first objective was finding an office. And since I would be by myself in the beginning, we agreed that an office suite would be the most logical. That way I would have someone answering the phone, taking messages and greeting clients.

Our company wanted the office to be centrally located, with easy access to the business community. It had to have easy access and plenty of parking. And it needed a central switchboard since I would be working out of the office alone for the first few months.

We settled on the Renaissance, a refurbished former shopping center that Tom Cronin has turned into a snazzy executive suite center at College Parkway and Winkler Road in Fort Myers.

We assembled a checklist of what needed to be accomplished, and then drew up a timeline.

In the month between signing the office lease and actually opening the door for business, there was a mountain of things to get finished. If you are opening a new company or have just done so, you can relate to this. For instance:

* Lee County Occupancy license. We had to show proof of business. The Lee County zoning department had to sign off on it. We had to prove to them we would not be dealing in hazardous waste. With all that accomplished, it was off to the Lee tax collector's office and a half-hour wait in line to get the license.

* Outfitting the office. Just how much furniture will fit comfortably into a 212-square foot room? After some measuring and general eye balling, it was off to buy a couple of desks (we're planning for the future), a bookcase, four chairs and a file cabinet.

* Telephones. Order them as quickly as possible. Sprint will assign numbers before service actually begins. Make certain you have enough phone lines to handle all of your equipment. For instance: You can share your computer line with the fax line, but if you are on the Internet a fair amount of time, this won't work. Spring for the extra line and dedicate one for the fax and one for the computer. Those are in addition to the regular phone line you'll need.

*Online service: Sign up with an online provider and get your email address before you open your doors.

*Business cards and stationery: You¹ll want to order these early and you'll need a phone number, address and email address for them. These are important business tools, make certain you set this task as a priority.

*Party. In marketing your new business, hosting a reception is one of the best ways to showcase both you and your product. It's not cheap, but is worth the money. You can invite a select group of people to the party, you get their sole attention, and they see you in a relaxed atmosphere.

* Announcements. Tell everyone you're in business. Send out cards to all your friends, business contacts, neighbors, family. You've got the picture. Shout to the world where you are and who you are.

*Party. In marketing your new business, hosting a reception is one of the best ways to showcase both you and your product. It's not cheap, but is worth the money. You can invite a select group of people to the party, you get their sole attention, and they see you in a relaxed atmosphere.

* Equipment: Determine what kind of computer and technical equipment you need. Bare essentials: computer with enough power to navigate the World Wide Web, printer, and fax machine.

* Office resources. These are little things, but if you don't have them, it will drive you crazy: up to date telephone book, dictionary, pens, paper, rolodex, paper clips, file folders, scissors, legal pads, post-it notes, and calendar. These items will get you started.

* Answering service: This is an important item. Neither you nor your staff will be 24-7ers so you must have someone taking your calls when you're not there. Some options: hire an answering service, set up a service through Sprint or get an answering machine. Regardless which one you choose, make certain you can retrieve your messages remotely.

Bob Rathgeber, formerly the assistant managing editor for business and sports at the News-Press in Fort Myers, is now the Managing Director, Southwest Region, for Wragg & Casas Public Relations Inc.