I’ve been married for almost thirteen years. I have a house. Three children. Five cats. Two dogs. I’ve started two companies, and managed the transition of a third.
But I have never, ever signed a lease for any of my businesses. Seriously. I had one in the 90’s, but it was ludicrously unenforceable, because the setup was completely illegal.
Tomorrow, I’m picking up a two-year lease for new office space on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It’s not much. It’s just 500 square feet. Nice windows. Good light.
It scares me more than anything I’ve done, business-wise. I don’t know why.
Love to all. Even you, the guy who admitted lying before it became a risk.
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Oh, my. I work for those property/leasing folks. I can understand your ajita. Two years isn’t forever, though, if it doesn’t work out. Just remember that their job is to make a profit for the building’s owners by getting and KEEPING
Good luck with it!
oy! I’m comment challenged.
I meant to say their job is to get and keep tenants. They’ll want to keep you. Use that.
Commitment is my kryptonite. I don’t know that I’ve ever signed an enforceable 2 year lease. This is probably good for you, like broccoli.
Another memorable phase in your career…good luck with the signing. And a plus that you have good light…good view too? I wish you all the best.
I’m so visiting you.
Huh. A marriage and kids is a far, far bigger commitment than a lease. I wonder what it is that pokes at you so?
Fifth and what?
/Mazel Tov!
I know exactly how you feel. When you sign a lease, it’s almost like you have given someone the right to come in anytime. I mean, it’s still there property, right? It’s not totally yours. But, it does sound nice. I hope we will get some pictures when you have a chance.
It appears there are daily obstacles for you getting into the city. Building collapses, recruiting centers getting bombed…I don’t even want to know what’s next. Yes I do, a good old St. Paddy’s Day Parade!!!
Um, because now failure is not an option.
And neither is backing out.
Commitment is scary. It just is. This will be great, though, really and truly!
Sounds exciting, yet terribly daunting. Though, I must say having a successful marriage is way more important….worst case scenario is a business fails. At least you still have your marriage.
The only down side of a lease? Outgrowing your space! Here’s hoping that there is an “if, then” clause written into the lease.
Meaning, specifically: IF, within the two years your company outgrows its current 500 sf, THEN (THAN? Whatever) said lease is open to additional room/comps at incremental price increases.
Providing the leasing company isn’t run by douchebags.
[because] Then you’d be stuck paying out a lease at an empty space until the expiration date, while leasing (more expensive) space from someone else.
Yes, I have been there.
Thankfully, I had nothing whatsoever to do with signing either lease.