Rude Real Estate Agent, Need Your Help
Business By SusanaDalia Updated 23 Feb 2009 , 10:11pm by leah_s
Brains help? I think they're essential. No pun intended. I agree about the thick skin....the cajones...no. I still don't know why women insist on relating shrewdness and bravery in business with a metaphorical word that refers to a male body part. Maybe we should tell people they need to get some cha-chas. We could say that "cha-chas" stands for the ability to nurture and expand the customer relationship.
Brains help? I think they're essential. No pun intended. I agree about the thick skin....the cajones...no. I still don't know why women insist on relating shrewdness and bravery in business with a metaphorical word that refers to a male body part. Maybe we should tell people they need to get some cha-chas. We could say that "cha-chas" stands for the ability to nurture and expand the customer relationship.
Because this was not even close to being about shrewdness and bravery. Nobody got anywhere near there.
This was business 101. No this was the remedial course before BZ 101. This was simple.
But just because you don't like the phrase does not mean she don't need some.
The real estate guy was offering guidance to a newby who not ony asked him but clearly needed it.
Susanfirst of all I admire your spirit of entrepreneurship.
Without being disrespectfulI see several flaws in your approach based on the information that you gave me. If you have already explored these avenues that I am about to suggest then I apologize.but this should be the pecking order of events...
...Hope this helpsdidnt mean to avoid your initial questionsbut this is the only way that I truthfully know how to answer your request.
"Drivers" do not stop to admire weakness.
They do not apologize in advance because they have no concept of 'touchy feely'.
They would not offer fatherly business advice.
They don't care if they are disrespectful.
They do however run great businesses so long as they can avoid making even their own Mothers hate them. Somewhere between here and where the op was at the start of this thread is the sweet spot.
Brains help? I think they're essential. No pun intended. I agree about the thick skin....the cajones...no. I still don't know why women insist on relating shrewdness and bravery in business with a metaphorical word that refers to a male body part. Maybe we should tell people they need to get some cha-chas. We could say that "cha-chas" stands for the ability to nurture and expand the customer relationship.
Nuturing is not a part of a business start up--more cojones needed!!!
edit--Blame the edit on Czarina for catching my spelling error. Although you can find it in the dictionary spelled the wrong way because everybody spells it the wrong way--Oh Webster is doing flip flops.
Could we at least spell it right? It's cojones...Or you could always say "backbone" or "spine" gender neutrally. I personally don't want any cojones, they do look kind of ridiculous, you know.
I just had the mental image of someone looking for porn on the internet doing a search for "cojones" and coming upon tthis thread...He'd be so disappointed!
Driver types can be hard to get along with and have a tendency to run over people. I have a "driver" type personality and I have to really watch that I don't hurt people's feelings.
You? Driver? Really? No!!!
Seeing you just joined on the 13th of this month, may I introduce you to the "preview" button on the "post a reply" page. I'd also like to introduce you to the "enter" button. It makes for easier reading for us "pre-lasik" members!
I'm actually looking forward to seeing more of your posts in the future. I have a feeling you'll be getting some interesting responses from our long time members. (k8, you better not disappoint me now)
I'll bring the popcorn everyone, there's a new "live one" in the house!
Back to the cojones..........strictly hypothetical! The REAL ones wouldn't fit in my bikini! 
Did I mention I hate to be misquoted? I didn't say "brains help". I said, and I quote....."Brains are great, but they're not the only necessity in this business, thick skin and cojones also come in handy. " Goodness gracious ya'll, is it possible that I could be a "driver"? LOL!!!! Nah, I'm much too "expressive" for that! OK, I'm finished, I just couldn't resist.
Perhaps some may have liked "grow thicker skin" instead.
anyone besides me remember the threads where people got all ticked off when they were told they needed to stop being so thinned skin? 
Y'all might like this one: http://www.ask.com/bar?q=where+does+the+phrase+%22he%27s+got+balls%22+come+from%3F&page=1&qsrc=0&zoom=&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fluther.com%2Fdisc%2F9485%2Fwhy-do-we-say-hes-got-balls-to-imply-that-someone%2F
Perhaps some may have liked "grow thicker skin" instead.
anyone besides me remember the threads where people got all ticked off when they were told they needed to stop being so thinned skin?
Y'all might like this one: http://www.ask.com/bar?q=where+does+the+phrase+%22he%27s+got+balls%22+come+from%3F&page=1&qsrc=0&zoom=&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fluther.com%2Fdisc%2F9485%2Fwhy-do-we-say-hes-got-balls-to-imply-that-someone%2F
Omg that was funny--
~~~~~
Let me get this straight, thin skinned people got po'd 'cause they got thin skin?
Hmmm interesting. Pisses me off too.
Let me get this straight, thin skinned people got po'd 'cause they got thin skin?
Yes. Yes they did. It was hysterically funny (at least to us thick skinners). I believe the thread eventually got locked, it got so "intense".
Perhaps some may have liked "grow thicker skin" instead.
Y'all might like this one: http://www.ask.com/bar?q=where+does+the+phrase+%22he%27s+got+balls%22+come+from%3F&page=1&qsrc=0&zoom=&ab=0&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fluther.com%2Fdisc%2F9485%2Fwhy-do-we-say-hes-got-balls-to-imply-that-someone%2F
Lol! That makes sense though. Plus, that area usually is to blame for POOR decision making. 
Actually, you did say "brains help" which is probably why you removed the posting from the thread--so you could blame the "newby" for the mistake and then offer up a stream of ridicule and wisecracks that I'm sure you're hoping will get some support and "attaboys" from your cronies on this forum. That's fine. As far as the buttons are concerned. I don't think they differ much from other blog sites and forums I am a part of. I take it that you were completely familiar with the navigation of this site when you first joined? Please let me know how you managed that one. That would greatly help me and anyone else here who actually has to learn the in's and out's of a new site. You must have checked out my profile and found out my age...hence the crack about "pre-lasik". Sorry to disappoint. I don't wear glasses nor have I had lasik. Maybe you'll be as fortunate. As far as "nurturing" goes, I was being facetious about the cha-chas. I take it you didn't grasp that. Nurturing a customer relationship is necessary in start up...but only if you want return customers. I do know that when people run out of anything meaningful to say, they start with the cracks and the insults. I guess that's my cue that this conversation has run it's course. I won't post anything after this. I just hate to see someone ask for help and then get feedback that beats her up. I don't think it's necessary and my husband and I have run two successful businesses for longer than you've probably fit into your bikini. Your allusion to the "long time members" gives me the same feeling I had as a high school freshman when confronted by the seniors who wanted me to "know my place". I thought this was an adult forum.
I hope you enjoyed that popcorn.
ladyfish, seriously, having one big long paragraph is very difficult to read, regardless of age. Please hit the 'enter' button periodically to create small paragraphs just for easier reading for all. It's much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
definitely. i can never bring myself to read these long, drawn out paragraphs...
ladyfish, seriously, having one big long paragraph is very difficult to read, regardless of age. Please hit the 'enter' button periodically to create small paragraphs just for easier reading for all. It's much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I have 20/20 thank god .. and I can't read the paragraph.
as for the pre lasik comment, i know people in their early 20's who have it....
And I know some women in their 50-s who wear bikinis (and look pretty good doing it)....
I have 20/20 thank god .. and I can't read the paragraph.
Actually, you did say "brains help" which is probably why you removed the posting from the thread--so you could blame the "newby" for the mistake and then offer up a stream of ridicule and wisecracks that I'm sure you're hoping will get some support and "attaboys" from your cronies on this forum. That's fine. As far as the buttons are concerned. I don't think they differ much from other blog sites and forums I am a part of. I take it that you were completely familiar with the navigation of this site when you first joined? Please let me know how you managed that one. That would greatly help me and anyone else here who actually has to learn the in's and out's of a new site. You must have checked out my profile and found out my age...hence the crack about "pre-lasik". Sorry to disappoint. I don't wear glasses nor have I had lasik. Maybe you'll be as fortunate. As far as "nurturing" goes, I was being facetious about the cha-chas. I take it you didn't grasp that. Nurturing a customer relationship is necessary in start up...but only if you want return customers. I do know that when people run out of anything meaningful to say, they start with the cracks and the insults. I guess that's my cue that this conversation has run it's course. I won't post anything after this. I just hate to see someone ask for help and then get feedback that beats her up. I don't think it's necessary and my husband and I have run two successful businesses for longer than you've probably fit into your bikini. Your allusion to the "long time members" gives me the same feeling I had as a high school freshman when confronted by the seniors who wanted me to "know my place". I thought this was an adult forum.
I hope you enjoyed that popcorn.
The feedback did not beat her up.
No the lasik thing had nothing to do with you.
Yes I'm not understanding the chachas and nurturing part. Nobody nurtured me during any businesses that I've launched but I'm not opposed to it. It just doesn't happen in the real world.
Relationships with customers has nothing to do with contacting a real estate agent. She asked, "How big should my bakery be because I don't know. And once you figure that out, please tell me how much that costs."
What cracks and insults? Read over the thread and find them. There are some there but...
Drivers do not cut and run. You took a lonely stand and now are wondering why you're lonely?
Just stick around. It's so easy to quit. Do the chacha and the salsa too toss in some flamingo.
You have some pretty cakes.
And no, nobody here is any more or less adult than you and me.
God, don't make me nurture you!
Actually, you did say "brains help" which is probably why you removed the posting from the thread--so you could blame the "newby" for the mistake and then offer up a stream of ridicule and wisecracks that I'm sure you're hoping will get some support and "attaboys" from your cronies on this forum. That's fine. As far as the buttons are concerned. I don't think they differ much from other blog sites and forums I am a part of. I take it that you were completely familiar with the navigation of this site when you first joined? Please let me know how you managed that one. That would greatly help me and anyone else here who actually has to learn the in's and out's of a new site. You must have checked out my profile and found out my age...hence the crack about "pre-lasik". Sorry to disappoint. I don't wear glasses nor have I had lasik. Maybe you'll be as fortunate. As far as "nurturing" goes, I was being facetious about the cha-chas. I take it you didn't grasp that. Nurturing a customer relationship is necessary in start up...but only if you want return customers. I do know that when people run out of anything meaningful to say, they start with the cracks and the insults. I guess that's my cue that this conversation has run it's course. I won't post anything after this. I just hate to see someone ask for help and then get feedback that beats her up. I don't think it's necessary and my husband and I have run two successful businesses for longer than you've probably fit into your bikini. Your allusion to the "long time members" gives me the same feeling I had as a high school freshman when confronted by the seniors who wanted me to "know my place". I thought this was an adult forum.
I hope you enjoyed that popcorn.
First.........if I did edit my post it would have said so at the bottom of it and it doesn't so I didn't. Just another helpful hint for the "newby" actually it's "newbie".
No I did not look at your profile to see your age, I really couldn't care any less how old you are, (although I can guess how old you're acting). Yes, I am fortunate enough to be going for lasik surgery this spring. So when I say press "enter" it's because it's near impossible to follow your novels without spacing it into paragraphs. (see I really am trying to help you navigate the new site)
You have me confused with k8memphis (I'm flattered) she was the one that called you on your "nurturing" and "cha chas" remark, not me. I guess you didn't "grasp" that.
As far as you and your DH running 2 successful businesses for longer than I've fit into my bikini, I won't dispute that. You see, 2 yrs this April I will be celebrating losing 85 lbs and going from a size 16 to a size 6. Yay!!!!! I can and do now where a bikini proudly for a woman in her....ahem late forties.
Having said that, I have been doing cakes for 25 yrs and I also own my own hair salon/spa and I've been in that business since 1983 owning my own salon/spa since 1995. So you see I too own and operate 2 businesses successfully.
The thing that I find amusing about you is that you can pick apart posts that you find to contain "cracks" and "insults", but you fail to see that in your own.
As far as "knowing your place", you've pretty much shown where you want that to be. I'll side with my "attaboy" "cronies" any time, any day.
Back when I first joined CC, I certainly didn't come out here and try to tell everyone off..........I eased into that 
Perhaps we can start fresh.
Hi, my name is Debbie Welcome to Cake Central ladyfish, I'm sure you'll find this to be one of the most helpful, friendly, cake sites out there today. I've learned more here then I have in any classroom and this place is filled with many professional, wonderful people.
God I love it when a post gets cranky and it has nothing to do with me!
God I love it when a post gets cranky and it has nothing to do with me!
etc etc etc
God I love it when a post gets cranky and it has nothing to do with me!
Sooo true. Love the drama, hate it when it turns towards me.
To the original problem-I think the man was overall helpful. I understand she just wanted a quote, but she did come off as suzie home baker dreaming of opening a store, not an informed business woman.
Soooo.... back to the OP...
While I can gather why you may have felt he was a bit rude, I think he answered your question as best he could. As far as my town is concerned, if I wanted to rent a space downtown, it's about $20,000 A MONTH for 1,000 sq feet. If I go about 3 miles down the road, 1,000 sq feet costs around $1,000 a month. As a real estate agent, with your questions being what they were, I could see it being confusing to answer.
In our world, it seems to me like it would be like someone emailing and saying, hey my boyfriend and I were talking about getting married, and I was wondering how much a wedding cake costs. We're not engaged, and don't have a date, and we were thinking we may do a plain cake, or maybe something a little more fun, I don't know, I like those topsy turvy cakes. We may just do family, if we invite all of our friends it could be like 300 people. Can you give me a quote just so I can have an idea?
That is very honestly the feeling I got from your email to this agent. And whether he is right or wrong in his response, I felt like you were all over the place and not asking a clear question, so I think he was trying to give you some direction to narrow that down.
Location has everything to do with setting up your business, especially if you are looking for foot traffic. I was working on a plan to be downtown, for $20,000 a month ($32,000 without paying myself when I worked in other factors) and could not bring myself to say that I could, 12 months out of the year, sell as many desserts as I needed to sell. But of course, if I went down the road, I wouldn't have the foot traffic of downtown...
These are all things that come in to your business plan and market research prior to finding a real estate agent. You can then go to him and say, I want to be in XX location with a place xx-xx sq feet, how much is that? By saying you can be in this town or any of the surrounding towns, it's just so vague...
And my personal opinion on top of that, is if you are looking for a seating area, you will need a much bigger sq footage space than the creamery. They just have freezers, fridges, and sinks in the back. the majority of space is out behind the counter and then the dining room. If you want counter space, a small dining room, and then space to bake and decorate, you'll need closer to 1100 to be comfortable.
And my personal opinion on top of that, is if you are looking for a seating area, you will need a much bigger sq footage space than the creamery.
Something else you will want to check out in your state are restroom requirements. In my state, if you have a dining area then I have to provide handicap accessible restrooms. But because I don't have a dining area, I didn't have to spend those thousands of dollars and give up that valuable square footage for a public restroom. So if you go with a dining space, be sure you find out what you have to provide.
I was also told by another business owner that if I sell ONE cup of coffee to be consumed inside my facility, then it throws me into a whole 'nuther HD category with all kinds of different requirements and fees.
And my personal opinion on top of that, is if you are looking for a seating area, you will need a much bigger sq footage space than the creamery.
Something else you will want to check out in your state are restroom requirements. In my state, if you have a dining area then I have to provide handicap accessible restrooms. But because I don't have a dining area, I didn't have to spend those thousands of dollars and give up that valuable square footage for a public restroom. So if you go with a dining space, be sure you find out what you have to provide.
Oh yes, here too. Serve anything to be consumed on site, must provide handicap accessible bathroom with sink (I don't know why that is in the rules, it would be kind of gross to have a toilet and no sink, but it's there!)
Well there's about 22 people who think the real estate agent was ok in his response. There's about 5 people who can see how he was perceived as rude or that he was rude--and there are two people on both lists.
Susan, do you see the point of how the guy was perceived as helpful by 22 people? Not that you agree but do you get it?
And how is he rude in your opinion? Because he gave too much information?
Well there's about 22 people who think the real estate agent was ok in his response. There's about 5 people who can see how he was perceived as rude or that he was rude--and there are two people on both lists.
Susan, do you see the point of how the guy was perceived as helpful by 22 people? Not that you agree but do you get it?
And how is he rude in your opinion? Because he gave too much information?
did you scroll through and count in your head or did you tally on paper?
Well there's about 22 people who think the real estate agent was ok in his response. There's about 5 people who can see how he was perceived as rude or that he was rude--and there are two people on both lists.
Susan, do you see the point of how the guy was perceived as helpful by 22 people? Not that you agree but do you get it?
And how is he rude in your opinion? Because he gave too much information?
did you scroll through and count in your head or did you tally on paper?
I wrote the names down on paper so I wouldn't count one poster twice unless they said they acknowleged both views. I think I got everybody.
So I forgot to add Susan herself and I added another poster to the rude view side so now it's 7 to 22 with three folks on both sides.
I mean if anyone acknowledged that they could see how she could perceive it as rude, cold water, talked down to her even though they went on to say he gave good advice--they are on both lists.
Final answer, Regis
I am really glad you posted his response. That was a lot of info in one response! I don't think he was being rude at all. He was just getting straight to the point which is a good thing. You don't want someone to sugar coat anything for you when it comes to spending your hard earned money and trying to make a profit.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%