That's a heckuva deal. For 6 grand a year it wouldn't take much extra work to easily pay for itself
Boys, I'd be a darn fool if I didn't jump all over this. In addition to a large office area, which we can setup for shooting portrait sessions, he has a nice waiting area and conference room that we get use of. That conference room alone is worth the rent. The building is located right on main street in the Hazel Path subdivision. Here's a google link:
Google Maps
The building is owned by my former accountant. This past Sunday, they had a waterline break in the upstairs office and so the offices have gotten all new drywall and they're installing wood flooring. We got our choice of room and the painters will use whatever color we choose. The guy is a Christian music industry guy and makes his living doing a syndicated TV show where he sells product. The other tenant is a computer consultant who stays gone most of the time. I'm going to call him tomorrow and tell him we're taking it. Oh yea, he's willing to go month-to-month on the rent. We can try it for a while and if it doesn't pan out, no big loss. BTW, the office we chose is the far-left windows at the front of the building (facing main street).
That's cool Rick. It also appears the office is down the street from a Wendys! If clients want quick drinks or dinner after work, you can grab something for them and have it ready when they arrive LOL! Easy way to get the sale! You found your way into their heart with that Frosty!
...I can't believe you guys can find these office rentals for so cheap in your areas. Maryland is a overpriced area for this stuff. There is an office condo not far from me advertising for $4,568 a month, and it is probably no bigger than the one B SHARP has. I'm not seeing anything for $400 or $500 a month around here.
Just confirmed acceptance on the office space. He says the crew is expecting to be finished by end of next week and we can move in the following Monday. He's even going to let us take down the chair rails and put light gray on the walls (for photography purposes). I'm kinda getting excited about this.
You may like it so much you quit the day job and go full time...Go to your own office everyday...get there around 10 am...11 am if you want...no big deal. Quote on gigs all day. Since you have an office you can easily become a multi op...bring on more DJs. Start booking more events. You would get to the point to where you have 10 or more DJs working every Saturday for you plus your photography work. You could be the big DJ/Photography company in your area.
Or you could do what I do... go to the office when I feel like it and when I have meetings scheduled, otherwise work from home where it's easier to work on my gear and music stuff without disturbing the neighbors. Quote on gigs when they come in, but don't sit around waiting for the phone to ring. Throw out any idea of becoming a multi-op. Instead, focus on being the expert.
I've got friends who own big DJ/Photography companies. They come to me to talk about their problems... LOL.
Any words of advice?
If you really trust your very trusted, long-time friend, walk away quickly. When this guy stops paying his rent and they change the locks on the building, you will also be locked out with all of your stuff locked inside.
It's also entirely possible that this guy's lease prohibits him from sub-leasing the space in the first place. You know what they say - if it sounds too good to be true...
Congrats, Rick. The location looks great - easy for people to find. I think you'll quickly discover the benefits of having dedicated space.
Hey Brendan, help me settle an argument. I'm inclined to put a nice, 4k, 50" TV in the new office. Wifey thinks it's not important to brides and won't impress them as much as nice furniture and printed copies of our work. I have to admit, my intention is to have a nice slideshow running during sales meetings and doubt that I'd be using the monitor much (if any). What do you (or others here) think about it?
Hey Brendan, help me settle an argument. I'm inclined to put a nice, 4k, 50" TV in the new office. Wifey thinks it's not important to brides and won't impress them as much as nice furniture and printed copies of our work. I have to admit, my intention is to have a nice slideshow running during sales meetings and doubt that I'd be using the monitor much (if any). What do you (or others here) think about it?