What Have I Been Up To? Part 1 - The Train Has Left The Station

What Have I Been Up To? Part 1 - The Train Has Left The Station

Well hello there my much neglected, but never forgotten, email subscribers and blog readers. We’ve been quite busy at PILLLAR over the past 12 months, thus the delay between writings. I suppose it’s time to bring you all up to speed on what I’ve been up to.

It was a warm May 2021 morning, in St. Paul at Palace pop-up skatepark where I met Brad Hay for an early morning session. Like most times when I skate with Brad, we ended up talking more than skating, and I’m always good with that. The conversation drifted over many different topics when we finally landed on future plans for our respective companies. Brad with ReGenerate Wood and me with PILLLAR. I love these conversations because they allow for your mind to run wild with ideas and dreams which can hopefully one day become reality.

I talked about this idea that I had been carrying around for a while about starting a cafe/skateboard shop for PILLLAR and finished by saying “maybe someday.” When Brad quickly and emphatically replied, “you have to do it!”

The next day I started browsing the internet for commercial real estate.

Knowing nothing about commercial real estate and even less about what it takes to open a coffee shop, I had no idea what was in store for me next.

I found, what I thought, was the perfect location for this new endeavor and I began the process of working with the landlord on signing a lease. I drew up a business plan, put together a budget (what the fuck do I know about budgeting for this kinda thing?), applied for a business loans, found an architect. I’m already in over my head, but this train had left the station.

About 4 weeks of haggling with the landlord over my business plan, negotiating on what improvements he would cover on the space versus what I would have to pay for and discussing financing, I knew this pairing was not a match made in tenant/landlord heaven. After a particularly contentious meeting, I made the decision that I had to move on. I could not continue to work with him.

On my drive home, which was rerouted down Central Ave in Northeast Minneapolis, due to construction, I drove past a freshly painted black building with a “For Lease” sign hanging proudly in the window. I pulled over, pushed my nose up to the glass to see a much neglected office space, which had all the potential in the world, and took down the phone number on the sign.

Three days later I met the leasing agent and as I walked through the narrow hallways, pulled up corners of cheap carpet and popped up sections of the discolored drop ceiling, in my head, this was already my space.


7939 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • swsdwdwe

    https://github.com/Your-Fault-at-Amazon-MGM-Studios
    https://github.com/Babygirl-at-A24
    https://github.com/Marked-Men-at-Voltage-Pictures
    https://github.com/Moana-2-at-Walt-Disney
    https://github.com/Venom-3-The-Last-Dance-at-Sony-Pictures
    https://github.com/Mufasa-The-Lion-King-at-Walt-Disney
    https://github.com/Wicked-at-Universal-Pictures
    https://github.com/The-Substance-at-Blacksmith
    https://github.com/Kraven-The-Hunter-at-Sony-Pictures
    https://github.com/SonicTheHedgehog3-at-Paramount-Pictures
    https://github.com/ACompleteUnknown-at-Searchlight-Picturs
    https://github.com/SoloLevelingReawakening-at-Sony-Picturs
    https://github.com/Flow-Straume-at-Dream-Well-Studio
    https://github.com/Daredevil-Born-Again-at-Disney
    https://github.com/Rule-Breakers-at-Angel-Studios
    https://github.com/NightoftheZoopocalypse-at-Viva-Pictures
    https://github.com/IntheLostLands-at-Vertical-Entertainmnt
    https://github.com/My-Dead-Friend-Zoe-at-Briarcliff
    https://github.com/Nosferatu-at-Focus-Features
    https://github.com/The-Unbreakable-Boy-at-Lionsgate
    https://github.com/Anora-at-Neon
    https://github.com/Heart-Eyes-at-Sony-Pictures
    https://github.com/One-of-Them-at-Sony-Pictures
    https://github.com/Ne-Zha-2-at-CMC-Pictures
    https://github.com/The-Monkey-at-Neon
    https://github.com/Dog-Man-at-Universal
    https://github.com/Paddington-in-Peru-at-Sony-Pictures
    https://github.com/The-Gorge-at-Skydance-Productions
    https://github.com/Last-Breath-at-Focus-Features
    https://github.com/Mickey-17-at-Warner-Bros
    https://github.com/Win-or-Lose-at-Digital-Animation
    https://github.com/Novocaine-at-Paramount-Pictures
    https://github.com/Plankton-at-Nickelodeonn
    https://github.com/Snow-White-at-Walt-Disney-Pictures
    https://github.com/My-Fault-London-at-Amazon-MGM-Studios
    https://github.com/opus-at-A24
    https://github.com/The-Day-The-Earth-Blew-Up-Warner-Bros
    https://github.com/Black-Bag-at-Focus-Features

  • viorvangh

    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/1
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/7
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/6
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/8
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/1
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/1

  • viorvangh

    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/1
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/7
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/6
    https://github.com/hellmeira/SIROYOO/discussions/8
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/1
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/shaichaanlo/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/5
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/4
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/3
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/2
    https://github.com/ShaiilaniI/SIROYOO/discussions/1

  • sdtfwertwe

    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197298378150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197298648150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197298822150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299176150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299488150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299530150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299662150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299758150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299860150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197299896150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300064150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300124150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300214150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300286150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300388150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300508150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300550150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300610150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300694150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197300832150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197301528150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197301768150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302002150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302326150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302644150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302722150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302842150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302890150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197302950150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303010150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303214150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303352150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303466150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303574150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303754150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197303796150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197306988150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307060150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307492150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307528150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307738150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307798150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197307930150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197308278150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197308278150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197309916150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197310006150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197311662150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197311746150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197311860150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197312088150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197312202150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197312382150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197312880150658
    https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122197313156150658
    https://foro.ribbon.es/topic/63305/sd-gwer-twet-etwetwet
    https://wokwi.com/projects/425333753944655873
    https://forum.thecodingcolosseum.com/topic/46358/sd-tw3t-wet-wet-wetwe
    https://app.daily.dev/posts/sdfgwer-twe-twetwe-9ij6f9dyd
    https://app.clickup.com/t/86erua79q
    http://www.fellnasen-service.de/index.php?thread/496890-sdk-fjwe-ok-woieei-tjweio-tjwe/
    https://onlinegdb.com/1wIDHAU3g
    https://pastebin.com/xZDFRQeQ
    https://paste.ee/p/vVVJFrs0
    https://rentry.co/37d2s78s
    https://yamcode.com/sdfgwetwe
    https://paste.feed-the-beast.com/rPotZTxYX0c
    https://paiza.io/projects/cYNvZx-sjGrOAVIc68GySg?language=php
    https://glot.io/snippets/h5g4xrorku
    https://controlc.com/329023fc
    https://jsitor.com/Ai0YzOhIU7
    https://jsbin.com/qudirukero/edit?html,output
    https://pastelink.net/athfqgpy
    https://notes.io/wKe1r

  • NEGNEG

    https://push.fm/fl/b58tocyh
    https://push.fm/fl/5rmpxg2j
    https://push.fm/fl/hlerccon
    https://push.fm/fl/ygwthm7h
    https://push.fm/fl/civguwny
    https://push.fm/fl/kob3psaf
    https://push.fm/fl/g1fki6cq
    https://push.fm/fl/zmpuvf2r
    https://push.fm/fl/vqtui4qb
    https://push.fm/fl/kdxhhoor
    https://push.fm/fl/uywsg9j5
    https://push.fm/fl/4po0d4po
    https://push.fm/fl/wt234vje
    https://push.fm/fl/xv0dmchb
    https://push.fm/fl/xw9ggvuh
    https://push.fm/fl/pmwh3rug
    https://push.fm/fl/niukd6pc
    https://push.fm/fl/falwa7dp
    https://push.fm/fl/emvfjad5
    https://push.fm/fl/kcgltaxg
    https://push.fm/fl/4fsnyjow
    https://push.fm/fl/glxxvmbr
    https://push.fm/fl/crlojis9
    https://push.fm/fl/6eyqbjdx
    https://push.fm/fl/dthw47yq
    https://push.fm/fl/5hv24mho
    https://push.fm/fl/dhqaemht
    https://push.fm/fl/p7ukxt5l
    https://push.fm/fl/qla1nyjh
    https://push.fm/fl/9kt7z1bl
    https://push.fm/fl/bmdnlhnl
    https://push.fm/fl/tmyuafor
    https://push.fm/fl/9iwatyfh
    https://push.fm/fl/xfyohozi
    https://push.fm/fl/esccn6lg
    https://push.fm/fl/y0rsgizk
    https://push.fm/fl/ekgugury
    https://push.fm/fl/jpignvjc
    https://push.fm/fl/2btcgal6
    https://push.fm/fl/nkc4an5t
    https://push.fm/fl/kweuvw5m
    https://push.fm/fl/hdktpkto
    https://push.fm/fl/nnh7b4cx
    https://push.fm/fl/5ufyiahf
    https://push.fm/fl/b3wjzwsr
    https://push.fm/fl/pnkj4voo
    https://push.fm/fl/ekifen9n
    https://push.fm/fl/b6iushux
    https://push.fm/fl/2jhskut7
    https://push.fm/fl/mkgcylkj
    https://push.fm/fl/4xaguwes
    https://push.fm/fl/9c2znn9m
    https://push.fm/fl/svxb9hwj
    https://push.fm/fl/5vzevjkx
    https://push.fm/fl/xn5fpqi2
    https://push.fm/fl/pyrzmygk
    https://push.fm/fl/04ujrii3
    https://push.fm/fl/4gprzev8
    https://push.fm/fl/6a9vbzuc
    https://push.fm/fl/zwt6xwnd
    https://push.fm/fl/bdninbpu
    https://push.fm/fl/m7etmfjy
    https://push.fm/fl/9eorgblt
    https://push.fm/fl/pmagefum
    https://push.fm/fl/8pa3agni
    https://push.fm/fl/fhiyrfmy
    https://push.fm/fl/ynkqotll
    https://push.fm/fl/lvywoiwl
    https://push.fm/fl/1z1dageo
    https://push.fm/fl/w6bpzfe9
    https://push.fm/fl/ulaws7if
    https://push.fm/fl/2yxnduns
    https://push.fm/fl/o2qefupp
    https://push.fm/fl/2cwlajad
    https://push.fm/fl/iga1zhbl
    https://push.fm/fl/pmzvqmbt
    https://push.fm/fl/c1g0nlbq
    https://push.fm/fl/9lhvyrfw
    https://push.fm/fl/ewc1gtzc
    https://push.fm/fl/y35lagnx
    https://push.fm/fl/ul1ehrvd
    https://push.fm/fl/xjqqlj7n
    https://push.fm/fl/jip03cem
    https://push.fm/fl/zxy27f8f
    https://push.fm/fl/zrxhu9d4
    https://push.fm/fl/tqagruvq
    https://push.fm/fl/hfujm1hw
    https://push.fm/fl/pefum7v1
    https://push.fm/fl/qkdklwvr
    https://push.fm/fl/o7bpptyv
    https://push.fm/fl/uuxxaorp
    https://push.fm/fl/oohog5gy
    https://push.fm/fl/8k92lh7g
    https://push.fm/fl/qqqtkb79
    https://push.fm/fl/tgyimvrb
    https://push.fm/fl/f6kudhs2
    https://push.fm/fl/khnujlxn
    https://push.fm/fl/zb12j2kg
    https://push.fm/fl/zflj57xt
    https://push.fm/fl/ad5oagq1
    https://push.fm/fl/0h4psto7
    https://push.fm/fl/1lnvgavy
    https://push.fm/fl/avkn7jaz
    https://push.fm/fl/dpgzegz8
    https://push.fm/fl/les1ljwr
    https://push.fm/fl/dczycc6t
    https://push.fm/fl/ikyyumqi
    https://push.fm/fl/ryqysvjc
    https://push.fm/fl/qru7mukr
    https://push.fm/fl/nnzhwg9i
    https://push.fm/fl/g5me3kc2
    https://push.fm/fl/rvkztr0b
    https://push.fm/fl/kyvrg3yb
    https://push.fm/fl/utmkb191
    https://push.fm/fl/bpyfqe1g
    https://push.fm/fl/3dre0eeu
    https://push.fm/fl/szfp2cti
    https://push.fm/fl/jaluq6l9
    https://push.fm/fl/q5zk189b
    https://push.fm/fl/kdovsskc
    https://push.fm/fl/sp9qk6sf
    https://push.fm/fl/fsjihxoe
    https://push.fm/fl/b3olh50n
    https://push.fm/fl/pbime3qi
    https://push.fm/fl/nkwftnle
    https://push.fm/fl/pupjheyo
    https://push.fm/fl/cqwhsukx
    https://push.fm/fl/n8zdcj0u
    https://push.fm/fl/vf3o8y3i
    https://push.fm/fl/7sgwmtid
    https://push.fm/fl/wtjtsg1v
    https://push.fm/fl/fv2om5jf
    https://push.fm/fl/bioxn0wl
    https://push.fm/fl/lpkzh5zr
    https://push.fm/fl/4klrsen1
    https://push.fm/fl/1jkf8j39
    https://push.fm/fl/chwzus5b
    https://push.fm/fl/ewdrnw1n
    https://push.fm/fl/m0tmvjig
    https://push.fm/fl/h5en7r9q
    https://push.fm/fl/zb5pioc2
    https://push.fm/fl/zsok2pzh
    https://push.fm/fl/uwb6h9qq
    https://push.fm/fl/kyijoxmv
    https://push.fm/fl/cenjdutw
    https://push.fm/fl/o2o5liug
    https://push.fm/fl/1rcpdch4
    https://push.fm/fl/rvcfzpxi
    https://push.fm/fl/5hhzsmzj
    https://push.fm/fl/nartm61q
    https://push.fm/fl/rqk9zdbg
    https://push.fm/fl/a00xjfjs
    https://push.fm/fl/6rwrm5xe
    https://push.fm/fl/dsxzegdp
    https://push.fm/fl/0kjjwz9g
    https://push.fm/fl/jcmmqwxc
    https://push.fm/fl/fi8ejl3r
    https://push.fm/fl/1kh9jvtl
    https://push.fm/fl/5njlfwds
    https://push.fm/fl/i4tfoai1
    https://push.fm/fl/9qbgrifw
    https://push.fm/fl/x3jyrany
    https://push.fm/fl/0ra7jhuf


Leave a comment

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.