Summary

  1. The speaker operates a repair business in New York City and reflects on the challenges of finding a new location in a cramped 650 square foot space with 12 employees.
  2. They compare their situation to chickens needing more space to avoid pecking at each other and lament the loss of small businesses replaced by chain stores.
  3. In 2019, they documented their search for commercial space, noting exorbitant rental prices, such as $75,000 for a slightly larger space.
  4. The speaker shares personal experiences tied to local shops, highlighting the unique charm of small businesses that have disappeared due to rising costs.
  5. They express nostalgia for a city that has significantly changed over the years, with a particular focus on the impact of commercial mortgage-backed securities on the city.
  6. The speaker discusses how rising rents lead to lower property valuations, triggering financial crises for property owners and resulting in vacant buildings.
  7. They highlight a dramatic drop in property values, citing an example of a building that sold for $332 million in 2006, now valued at only $8.5 million.
  8. The speaker warns against misconceptions that success is easily replicable, emphasizing that circumstances vary greatly among businesses.
  9. They reflect on their journey from starting a small business to facing the challenges of rising commercial rents in New York City, expressing sadness over the current state of the city.
  10. The speaker hopes for a revival of opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, advocating for a return to a vibrant community filled with unique shops and services.

Screenshot of Pinned Comment:

Pinned by Louis Rossmann

Comment:

@classicclassi6146 | 2 weeks ago (edited)

Being in a world intimidated by online resumes being rejected and everyone blaming you for not being perfect, hearing you tout your business success makes you feel kinda good knowing being talented and capable can go to the head of the line over nepotism or recruitability

Reply:

@rossmanngroup | 2 weeks ago

I’ve never been able to get a real job. even today I can’t get a job that pays thirty to forty thousand dollars. Every now and then I test this by applying to a bunch of jobs with a properly professionally put together resume just to remind myself that the moment I take my off off the ball and let things slack, I lose everything. It’s over.

It keeps me motivated to continue to be the best I can be in all of my endeavors and to never let things slack even when it’s very tempting to.

A lot of people like you will never be accepted into the normal world. I’m one of them. Instead of trying to bang my fists and feet against the front door of the real world, I went off and made my own. I believe that you’ll have the ability to do the same in due time!

It means a lot of time bumbling around, not having a fucking clue what you’re doing with your life, where you live, what you’ll eat, what tomorrow holds, dealing with the stress of there being no guarantee of a future, and the possibility that you’re wasting all of your time for nothing. It’s a hard thing to do. It all becomes worth it once something finally clicks.

I don’t blame most people for not having the stomach to do this. The only reason I had the stomach for it is because I had no choice. I think that’s what makes it easiest for people like me. It’s Not the fact that I’m special, smart, or brave. It’s that we have no choice. It’s a superpower because it forces you to do the thing that you need to do to live an awesome life later.

The normal world sucks anyway; the best part of life is coming up with a plan to make your own. :)