In the “Episode” posts I’ll try and recount the steps I took toward opening a Box. Considering I haven’t officially opened yet it’ll be an ongoing process.

CrossFit has always been a bit of a “destination location.”  In fitting with the low overhead model, a lot of boxes found the cheapest location around and then just made sure to provide the greatest coaching possible in order to keep their business booming.  However, as my buddy Josh put it, when you get a great location in addition to the great coaching, it’s not even fair.  I think this was extremely evident with Potomac CrossFit and their growth.  You find yourself a location with foot traffic, young urban professionals, no kids, and disposable income, and you’re sitting on a powder keg waiting to explode.

So after getting in touch with a realtor, who was recommended then shortly thereafter fired by the person who recommended him, I set about looking for a location.  Although I had some money available, I definitely didn’t realize what kind of money it took to get the places I was looking for.  I stumbled across one location that was “perfect” (note: when you’re looking for a location there will be about 400 “perfect locations).  After getting in touch with the landlord I found out that it was going for $100/sq. ft.  or in other words about  $18,333 a month. Sooooo that one was out.  I figured I had better leave it to the real estate guy to find me the right place.

It really only took a viewing a few properties for me to figure out that most real estate people have NO IDEA what you want.

Me: “I want as cheap as possible 2500-300 square feet of just open space.”
Realtor: “Great I’ve got a 6000 sq. ft. with cool columns everywhere and 8 foot ceilings that would be perfect for you.”

That was basically every interaction and every location shown to me.  A 6000 sq. foot here, a 1200 sq. foot second floor there.  All of them couldn’t be further from what I wanted or needed.  The ones I wanted were to expensive and the ones I could afford all sucked.  That’s when I learned one valuable from my realtor: “The space you’re looking for is the intersection of what you want and what you can afford.”

Smartest words to come out of his mouth.  It’s absolutely true.  I’ve learned after about my 12th “perfect spot” not to get attached to a place until you sign that lease.  Don’t start planning where you’re going to put pull-up bars or hang ropes until you have the ability to out pull-up bars or hang ropes.  It’s absolutely soul crushing to get attached to a place and have it slip out from under you.  Enough to make you quit the whole thing.  Don’t do it.  I learned that the hard way.