The Rofo Story
The idea for Rofo—which stands for Right of First Offer—came from our firsthand experience as commercial real estate brokers. While larger businesses typically had the people and resources on-hand to find and compare space, we saw entrepreneurs and small businesses struggle repeatedly in their search for the right place to locate their business. Beyond just finding the property listings, there was unfamiliar real estate jargon and pricing to learn; not to mention the overwhelming search for reliable services and professionals necessary for a successful move. But when our fledgling business outgrew the kitchen table, we really understood… Two months, 15 parking tickets and 10 new coffee shops later, the sad truth dawned. Finding an office space for our Internet start-up of 4 was as difficult as finding true love. The irony did not escape us. And, still, we drove all over town, calling on outdated “for lease” signs, leaving messages that were never returned. Finally, we found a home (a sublease through a friend) and settled in. But it was not to be. After only 2 months, we were back out on the street, scrambling along with 8 other start-ups to find new office space in less than 30 days. Once again, we lost precious time and energy that could have been directed at operating and growing our business. If we were having this much trouble in our search—and we considered ourselves plugged in—then, most certainly, others were experiencing the same, if not worse. That’s when the light went on—we ARE the company we’re trying to start a business for. We know from experience that whether you are an entrepreneur, an established retail business, or a Mom & Pop looking to expand, finding the right spot is essential to a successful business. And we’re not just talking location. Finding the right SIZE space for the right rent with the right attributes is critical to making it all work, especially in the early days. So, welcome. We look forward to helping you negotiate the crazy world of commercial real estate. We want to build a community that helps everyone navigate its wild waters, one square foot at a time. |
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