Beautiful Inside & Out
Designing BIO Girls’ New Home for Growth
A Growing Mission, A New Challenge
BIO Girls began as a small passion project and has grown into a multi-state nonprofit impacting thousands of girls each year. Their mission — to improve the mental health of adolescent girls through empowerment of self and connection with others — is evident in every program they lead. But as their reach expanded, so did their operational needs.
After multiple moves and office set ups, BIO Girls founder and executive director Missy Heilman secured a new space in Fargo designed to support their growing staff, volunteers, and community presence. This new location came with a new challenge: transforming an empty floor into a flexible, welcoming space that reflected BIO Girls’ values, while staying mindful of budget and making the most of existing furniture they had collected along the way.
Guidance Through Growth
That’s where InterOffice designer Sophie Scraper came in. From the beginning, Sophie approached the project not as someone dictating decisions, but as a guide helping BIO Girls shape their own vision. “Plans change throughout the process,” Sophie explained. “Our job is to listen, ask the right questions, and make suggestions that help clients make informed decisions.”
Missy echoes that sentiment: “Sophie was so responsive from the start. She listened to our needs and ideas, and really helped us create a vision that fit our budget and mission.”
For BIO Girls, that kind of guidance proved essential. With the new location being slightly smaller, they knew being intentional with the floorplan was key. The team needed a space that could evolve with them — one that included modular volunteer training areas, comfortable gathering spaces for donors and board members, and focused workstations for staff. At the same time, their brand identity centered on a vibrant pink, a color rarely seen in commercial spaces. Rather than shy away from it, Sophie embraced the challenge, finding ways to weave pink accents into a palette of muted neutrals so the office felt professional yet unmistakably BIO Girls.
Setting Volunteers Up For Success
One of the most important parts of the new office was the volunteer training room, a space designed for organization and efficiency. BIO Girls’ extensive curriculum supplies — stored in over 130 rotating totes — needed a home that was both accessible and aesthetically cohesive with the rest of the space. InterOffice selected the OFS Mile Marker Storage, a solution offering shelving that keeps everything easy to find while complementing the overall office vibe.
Missy points out, “Volunteers are the heart of our organization. Having a space that supports their work and keeps supplies visible and accessible makes a huge difference.” The design creates a balance between function and style, ensuring volunteers feel valued and equipped for success.
Workspaces Built for Growth
BIO Girls’ staff have grown rapidly, so creating workspaces that could change with future needs was key. InterOffice introduced workstations that provide ergonomic, adaptable desks for staff members.
Sophie explains, “We wanted to make sure the workspaces were comfortable and functional.” The workstations were carefully chosen to blend with the organization’s pink-infused palette while offering practical features – such as adjustable height and ergonomics – that keep productivity high.
Missy adds, “It was important to have a space that supports our team’s wellbeing and allows room for growth. This setup does exactly that.”
Cup of Joy Coffee Lounge
Another highlight of the new space is the Cup of Joy Coffee Lounge, a casual gathering area designed to replace frequent offsite coffee meetings. Named after one of BIO Girls’ core values, this lounge invites staff, volunteers, and donors to connect in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Lounge seating creates an atmosphere that feels approachable yet professional, perfect for casual conversations or small group meetings. Missy shares, “We wanted a place that felt like more than just a conference room — a space where people feel comfortable and connected.”
Collaboration in Action
The design process itself mirrored the collaborative spirit of BIO Girls’ mission. Inspiration boards, renderings, and frequent check-ins ensured everyone stayed aligned as the plans evolved.
Missy appreciates that flexibility: “Choosing furniture felt overwhelming at times, but Sophie was patient and creative. She made sure what we ended up with wasn’t just functional but felt like us.”
What began as an empty floorplan now feels intentional and alive, with every element serving a clear purpose.
A Space That Feels Like Home
Since moving in, the impact has been immediate. Staff efficiency has improved, volunteers navigate the space with ease, and donors walking through the door are instantly immersed in BIO Girls’ mission. Most importantly, the team feels at home. The space doesn’t just house their work — it reflects their values of faith, gratitude, passion, connection, and joy in ways that can be seen and felt.
Missy sums it up simply: “This space finally feels like BIO Girls’ home.”
Your Space, Your Story
For InterOffice, this project embodies their philosophy: every space tells a story, and their role is to help bring that story to life. By listening first, guiding thoughtfully, and embracing creative solutions, Sophie and the InterOffice team created more than an office for BIO Girls — they created a home base for a mission that continues to grow.
