Why Did I Leave My Studio?

Feb 26

Back on December 31st I left my beloved studio of 7.5 years - even though I didn't want to. Here's why:

When I first moved in the owner of the building was involved in the maintenance and management. He transformed it from an empty mill building to a community of small business owners and had so much love for the building.

When he passed the building was sold to an out-of-town owner who did not have the same…zest.

Watch the Reel!

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For past five and a half years I've been in my studio I've…

• dealt with heating issues every winter. (The record low was 48 degrees and the record high was - not exaggerating - 92…in the winter.)

• experienced dirty bathrooms and common areas.

• was interrupted by barking dogs and screaming children.

• felt like my space wasn't secure towards the end.
and then some.

I watched many neighbors leave, including businesses that had been there longer than I had.

But I held on because I loved my studio and believed in the building and the vision our former owner had for it.

I even dreamt of buying it. I had written a business plan and spoke with investors.

And back in 2018, I shared the story of the building with NH PBS and it was featured on Our Hometown: Littleton.

I held out for so long, until one day I was discussing the latest heating issue with the property manager and a switch flipped within me.

I'd had it.

And even if it doesn't make sense, I always trust my intuition.

I'm grateful that my business could easily transition to working from home. Several of my neighbors are still in the building because they've been unable to find space elsewhere.

And I've heard from other business owners in town that their own landlords raised the rents a ridiculous amount and are having to leave their spaces as well.

Which leads me to this:

Always have a back-up plan. I know this is difficult if your business is location-dependent, but try to find an income source you can expand on if your business had to vacate.

If you're a restaurant, consider selling your homemade sauces to the public or wholesale your desserts to other restaurants. If you're a retail store, make sure to have a strong online presence and easy online shopping experience.