Show up like you're going to court...not the DMV 🕴️

Mindset is everything, right? And without a doubt, your mindset when it comes to finding and negotiating your brick-and-mortar lease is key.

Over the last few years, we’ve observed two different approaches that remind us of two deeply unpleasant bureaucratic experiences. What are these experiences? They’re going to the DMV, and going to court.

We know it sounds a little ridiculous, but go with us here, because you know we love a leasing metaphor, and we think this one works even if you’ve only been to court on TV.

So as we were saying…

In some ways, visits to court and the DMV are very similar:

They both have vending machines
The both require a lot of boring paperwork
They both have someone named Sharon answering the phones who is not interested in your problem

But in very important ways, these two experiences are quite different:

Going to the DMV is a formality. You’re going to accomplish an administrative task, and it happens to be annoying, soul-draining, and, often, smelly. You pack a book, you get a snack, you settle in. Some people wear pajamas. You’re there to get something done, and you’re at the mercy of the people behind the desk. Your goal is to GET 👏 THIS 👏 DONE 👏 asap and get out the door.

When you go to court, you know you’re being judged. Unless you’re there to get married (don’t knock it, I did it) you’re aiming for a specific outcome, and you know that how you show up matters, because you need every ounce of control over the situation you can muster. You put on your best #adulting outfit, you hire an attorney, you practice deep breathing. Will this take an hour? Will this take 3 days? Who knows, but you’re committed for the duration.

If you approach the leasing process like the DMV, passive and annoyed, you not only forfeit your precious opportunities to build a favorable lease deal, but you can end up agreeing to things that may be downright detrimental down the road.

BUT if you approach it like going to court — putting on your best “take me seriously” outfit and showing up with experienced guidance and representation, you can make your best case in front of the judge and jury (your prospective landlord and her team) and steer the outcome your way.

While finding and securing your retail space can be stressful, it’s certainly never boring, and the food is usually better. Choosing to fully invest yourself in the process is the best way to ensure you’ll be happy with the outcome – you just can’t sit on a folding chair doing Sudoku waiting for someone to call your number and say, “congrats, here’s your lease.” You have to dress up, show up, and be prepared to answer some tough questions. And if you’re working with us, you can be sure that even the honorable Judge Judy will be impressed.