Office dilemma

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rickryan.com

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Dec 9, 2009
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Hendersonville, TN
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Wife went over to our office on Friday to pick up gear and was notified by the guy we're sub-leasing from that he was going to be leasing all 3 suites to the new tenant, a mortgage company (they moved in a month ago). Since we're on a month-to-month basis, we're out. He did say we could stay thru June and possibly July if needed. As you may remember, we have about 200 sq feet. We use it mostly for meetings, at most a half-dozen times per month. I've enjoyed the space but honestly, when the mortgage guys moved in they wrecked the vibe. Our front room used to be clean and had several gold records hanging on the wall (the guy we rent from). Now they're greeted by a pile of paper from the messy secretary and no more gold records. Incidentally, the guy who holds the lease is kicking himself out as well (kinda weird). When we moved in, month-to-month seemed like a good idea. It gave us the option of bailing if it didn't pan out. We've been there about 2 years. I had no idea that he'd decide to rent it out from under us. Lesson learned.

My initial thought was to go ahead and pay him for another month but this morning I had some clarity and thought, we don't have any meetings lined up and I have no intention on giving him another $500. I'm headed over this evening to clear everything out and will leave the key under the door. I'm thinking I may just setup a downstairs office in our home as a temporary studio/meeting space. We have a nice home, in a nice neighborhood, about 3600 sq feet. My wife is very timid about bring clients to our home, not to mention we have an indoor dog that will need to be put up, whenever someone comes over. Still not sure if I want to rent a new space or not. There are a handful of similar spaces in our town but in light of the new venue in Alabama, I'm not sure it's worth the investment. Overall, I think the studio has been paying for itself but I wouldn't call it overwhelming. Clients do perceive us as more legit when they go to a nice office space. Your comments or thoughts would be appreciated.
 
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Wife went over to our office on Friday to pick up gear and was notified by the guy we're sub-leasing from that he was going to be leasing all 3 suites to the new tenant, a mortgage company (they moved in a month ago). Since we're on a month-to-month basis, we're out. He did say we could stay thru June and possibly July if needed. As you may remember, we have about 200 sq feet. We use it mostly for meetings, at most a half-dozen times per month. I've enjoyed the space but honestly, when the mortgage guys moved in they wrecked the vibe. Our front room used to be clean and had several gold records hanging on the wall (the guy we rent from). Now they're greeted by a pile of paper from the messy secretary and no more gold records. Incidentally, the guy who holds the lease is kicking himself out as well (kinda weird). When we moved in, month-to-month seemed like a good idea. It gave us the option of bailing if it didn't pan out. We've been there about 2 years. I had no idea that he'd decide to rent it out from under us. Lesson learned.

My initial thought was to go ahead and pay him for another month but this morning I had some clarity and thought, we don't have any meetings lined up and I have no intention on giving him another $500. I'm headed over this evening to clear everything out and will leave the key under the door. I'm thinking I may just setup a downstairs office in our home as a temporary studio/meeting space. We have a nice home, in a nice neighborhood, about 3600 sq feet. My wife is very timid about bring clients to our home, not to mention we have an indoor dog that will need to be put up, whenever someone comes over. Still not sure if I want to rent a new space or not. There are a handful of similar spaces in our town but in light of the new venue in Alabama, I'm not sure it's worth the investment. Overall, I think the studio has been paying for itself but I wouldn't call it overwhelming. Clients do perceive us as more legit when they go to a nice office space. Your comments or thoughts would be appreciated.

It’s ALWAYS something... Nothin’s EVER easy. Things CHANGE![emoji1]

A professional office that’s NOT inside your home is nice if you can find one the right size, in a good location, and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. On the other hand, if you only use it for meeting with the occasional client, it might be an unnecessary extravagance. I always meet clients at THEIR preferred location, so an office would make no sense for me. I don’t have as many clients as you though, and I’m a bottom feeder, so there’s that.[emoji1] Not much more to say.
 
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I'm a fan of meeting at Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks ... buy the client(s) a coffee and write off theirs and yours. Maybe you get to $100 in a month.
 
I'm a fan of meeting at Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks ... buy the client(s) a coffee and write off theirs and yours. Maybe you get to $100 in a month.

I've thought about the rent-a-space places, as well as going back to Panera/Sbux, but a big part of our presentation is when they walk in and see that wall full of big prints, along with the TV rolling a slideshow. It works magic on establishing credibility and helps make the sale. I've also heard a couple of clients lately who made mention of our competitors who "don't have a real office." I've also reached out to some friends who bought a mansion property (long-time wedding venue) to see if they have a room we could rent (they have a few buildings on the property). If I could get an agreement with them it would be ideal for cross-promotion purposes. The home office is actually laid out really good but our dog is going to be a big turn-off (and it ain't an option to get rid of him).

I think I'm going to slow down and not rush into anything. We're in dead season for bookings and I don't expect any real volume until November. We have a rental studio available that we can use for any portrait sessions that pop up.
 
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I’m on a month to month now w my new office, and honestly don’t plan on finding a new office should something force me to stop using this one. I only have 1-2 meetings a month there, sometimes none at all. 90% of my meeting are FaceTime or Skype. If a client insists on in person, that means they live relatively close that I can meet at their venue. Times are changing, no one wants to drive to an office... at least not around here with rush hour traffic. Out of 25 events I had for May and June, only 1 opted to meet at the office... and then backed out when she was running late and saw the traffic getting worse... did FaceTime instead
 
I think offices are becoming irrelevant really quick there are far too many other convenient ways. If you aren't staying this month give him the keys don't leave them and get it in writing or you may find yourself in collections. I don't know the laws in Tennessee but even with a month to month here it's 30 days notice
 
I think offices are becoming irrelevant really quick there are far too many other convenient ways. If you aren't staying this month give him the keys don't leave them and get it in writing or you may find yourself in collections. I don't know the laws in Tennessee but even with a month to month here it's 30 days notice

Nothing was ever signed. We made a verbal agreement and I've paid him each month, never late. He would have no leg to stand on and frankly, I'm more than a little pissed that he's thrown away a perfect-paying client.
 
Thanks Taso! If I did face time I'd never get any bookings?!
Why's that? Are all your meetings in person? I just find that millenials... at least around here, are just way too busy with very opposite schedules to be able to schedule a time that they both can get to an office at the same time. At least with facetime, if they want a meeting at 9pm that ends at 11pm and by 1105 they're in bed, they can do that.
 
Why's that? Are all your meetings in person? I just find that millenials... at least around here, are just way too busy with very opposite schedules to be able to schedule a time that they both can get to an office at the same time. At least with facetime, if they want a meeting at 9pm that ends at 11pm and by 1105 they're in bed, they can do that.
He was just implying he has a face for radio, as they say.
 
had a similar situation with the childrens theater i owned...but they did offer me first dibs in the event someone attempted to get the full 5 year lease at a higher price.... i couldnt imagine the weight on my shoulders of having a 5 year lease at double the price we were getting... but it was nice to atleast have the option

As far as the office... some big multi ops make it work...but they sink more into their office decor and rent than most of us make a year....maybe triple...

to me...if youre not able to create a space SO PROFESSIONAL and mind numbingly cool as to sell a customer just on their impression of your space...then you are better suited to take your clients out...like steve said... i would probably spring for a nice lunch tho... a 50 dollar lunch towards a 2500 gig isnt a bad investment... considering itd take 10 lunches to pay the 500 for an office...id say you are ahead of the game...

combine that with Video chat methods for those who refuse to meet or for secondary discussions...and you have a winner

cc
 
Face time works...

It works, but it has drawbacks... NO EARS!!!... I have ears, but the distortion from a webcam makes me look like I have no ears...

f8eb2e20037bffb98b8b5111055fa905.jpg

...Who wants a DJ with NO EARS???[emoji1] If you find you’re not booking clients after a FaceTime meeting, it’s most likely because the prospect thought you didn’t have ears.[emoji1]
 
It's nice to have an office for meetings, but it's really only good for that ONE purpose.
And like others...I let the potential client choose a location.
Usually someplace like Panera.
If/when the new place is a reality...you can use it for client meetings.
 
Nothing was ever signed. We made a verbal agreement and I've paid him each month, never late. He would have no leg to stand on and frankly, I'm more than a little pissed that he's thrown away a perfect-paying client.

Maybe you're right but he could create an annoyance. For the sake of a signature you could avoid drama