80 East 11th Street, Compass Yoga's new home
“The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” ~ Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher
Tucked away on a quiet section of East 11th Street, there’s literally a tower of healing. Formerly the St. Denis Hotel, 80 East 11th Street is home to private practice wellness practitioners, now including Compass Yoga. I’ll be teaching yoga private clients and very small group classes at this address.
I learned about the building through an ad on Craig’s List. That ad led me to one place that wasn’t exactly right for me, though that place led me to connect with the building’s Facebook page where I posted a message and got a number of responses. Today I picked up the keys to a space I’ll be renting on an hourly basis, and took a look at a few additional space so that I can have a network of options for added flexibility in my client scheduling. I took the advice of my dear friend, Lon, and celebrated this big yesterday evening. Today, I’m rolling up my sleeves and getting down to work on my business development plans. Time to build a client base!
Breaking the chicken and egg cycle of commercial real estate
There’s a tough paradigm about being a private practice practitioner of any kind: it’s tough to start to build a client book without an office space and it’s tough (and expensive!) to commit to office space without having a client book. So what’s an enterprising lady to do? Set her priorities / nonnegotiables and plan to move forward. Here’s what mine looked like:
Priorities / nonnegotiables
Easy access by a number of subway lines
Quiet
Safe space – for client and for me
Doorman
Clean space conducive to healing
Rent by the hour at a reasonable rate
Opportunity to cancel if I needed to
No lease signing or commitment of hours required
Action plan:
Decide if there is an amount of money I’m willing to lose on the space – could I afford to rent it to do my practice teaching with friend?
Poke around Craig’s List to get an idea of going rates for this kind of space
Identify a few key possibilities to call and email to ask LOTS of questions
Check out the spaces in person if they pass the sniff test via phone and email
Establish a network of spaces to call on when I book a client
Knowing what you want is half the battle
This set of priorities and action plan gave me maximum flexibility, convenience, and an appropriate level of financial and operational risk that I could live with. I was lucky to find an entire building of wellness private practice spaces that I could cobble together to fulfill my priorities. Though I was also prepared to be lucky and very clear on what I needed. If you know what you’re looking for, it’s much easier to find it!
A step in the right direction
So now the fun begins – I start to build up my client base with the confidence that I have a few places that my students and I can call our home. My friend and client, Crystal, has graciously offered to cater sushi when I’m ready for my grand opening reception in the space. There’s an invite heading to an inbox near you!
I’m ready to dive in and see where all of this takes me in due time. It feels so good to begin. I am continually amazed by the direct correlation between the clarity of our asks of the Universe and its willingness to fulfill those asks just when we need them to fall in to place. Onward and upward in the name of greater healing!
CONGRATULATIONS. When you have your opening, I will try to be there. Love you!
Thank you
Congratulations! I’d heard of the St. Denis, back in its hotel days. What a neat use for that type of building, like a whole “wellness collective”, very cool. The universe can be remarkably responsive to specifics, and to highly focused intent…..though sometimes there’s just a little tweak between what’s asked for and what’s given, often to our benefit whether we immediately realize it or not.
It’s so terrific to see everything coming into alignment for your plan!
Thanks, MJ. It’s exciting to be taking this next step. I agree that the more we focus, the more the universe knows what to send our way.
Christa,
Predictably, I am overjoyed to receive the news, but I am not surprised. I always knew something like this was bound to happen, sooner or later.
It is necessary for you to live your dreams in order to feel happy about yourself and to live a meaningful life that is comforting and satisfying.
When I read this post, you made my day. Truly,I feel happy for you.
You have worked so hard for this, but there are going to be many more challenges to overcome before you reach your goal.
Anyway: three cheers for you–hip, hip, hooray for Christa. Cheers.
Hi Archan,
I am thrilled by this new beginning, too. It’s a step in the very right direction, and little by little it’s happening. I heard a great quote today by a military mom. “Inch by inch it’s a cinch. Yard by yard it’s hard.” It’s the little things that keep us moving forward slow and steady that help us win the long race.
YOU GO GIRL!
Going!
I am loving this space for all the reasons above… plus proximity to Japantown and my favorite vice
So true, Michael. Ippudo will need to get used to my smiling face!
congrats, and so close to home for moi. yaay!!
Thanks, Col! Yep, not too far from your nabe