Office Hunting: Something Like the Hunger Games

We've been on a little shopping adventure here at WindsorTurner. And despite being a team of professionals and helping countless nonprofits (and a few other organizations) find the right space, shopping for your own office puts an entirely different twist on the experience. 

So, for anyone else in the middle of an office search, here are a few lessons we've learned the hard way: 

First, a little background. 

I've mentioned before how much we love HANSA. Honestly, there are so many reasons. From the professional (but still genuinely fun) team that keeps the place running every day—forgot your keys? No problem—to the beautifully appointed meeting rooms; it's easy to see why they were recently featured in The Wall Street Journal. So why leave? 

Well, our team falls squarely into the "we work in the office" category. We collaborate. We brainstorm. We occasionally interrupt one another with stories about teenagers, fresh-baked bread, and the latest piece of real estate gossip. As we've grown, we've realized we need a little more room to spread out, focus, and let our neighbors enjoy a little peace and quiet too. So... off we went. 

Takeaway #1: It Will Take Longer Than You Think 

I can say this with almost complete confidence. 

We searched…

and searched…

and searched some more…

Then we found the perfect place. We negotiated. Then negotiated a little more. We started imagining where everyone's desks would go. And then...the building sold. So here we are. Searching again. Today is July 28. Our plan was to move on August 1. Needless to say, we didn't exactly follow our own advice about giving yourself plenty of time. 

Takeaway #2: Compromise... But Don't Compromise 

As a small business owner, it's easy to get hung up on the little things. Paint colors. The closest coffee shop. The bike lanes. It's also easy to fall in love with a beautiful space and forget the things that actually matter. For us, our non-negotiables are simple: three private offices, enough room for our team to grow, and a location within a very specific three-mile radius. (Back to biking, again.) You can compromise on finishes. 

You probably shouldn't compromise on the things that make your team productive every single day. 

Takeaway #3: It's a Grind 

I've been known to tell clients, "I love shopping for real estate." Apparently, I meant your real estate. Shopping for my own office has been an entirely different experience. Countless phone calls. Walking downtown in 90-degree weather. Emails. More emails. Attorneys. More attorneys. I'm starting to dream in LoopNet listings. And here's the humbling part—I'm a licensed real estate professional. If I think this process is exhausting, I have a whole new appreciation for what our clients experience. 

This month's post is a little shorter than usual because my afternoon is filled with office tours. So, I'm grabbing my checklist, another cup of coffee, and hoping to walk into a space that just feels right. 

Or something close. 

And if you happen to know of an available 2,000-square-foot office in downtown Buffalo with three private offices and a bike rack...we've got three days left.