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.


8004 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • Parfum

    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-brutalista-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk_fPK
    https://www.loket.com/event/brutalista-2025-cel-film-online-cz-dabing-a_fPi
    https://www.loket.com/event/brutalista-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz-sk_fP0
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-brutalista-2025-cely-film-online-cz_fP7
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-brutalista-cel-film-online-2025-sk-cz_fP4g
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-captain-america-nov-sv-t-2025-cel_fP41
    https://www.loket.com/event/captain-america-nov-sv-t-2025-cel-film_fP44
    https://www.loket.com/event/captain-america-nov-sv-t-cel-film-2025_fP49
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-captain-america-nov-sv-t-2025-fp4d
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-captain-america-nov-sv-t-cel-film_fP9c
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-opice-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk_fP93
    https://www.loket.com/event/opice-2025-cel-film-online-cz-dabing-a_fP99
    https://www.loket.com/event/opice-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz-sk_fP9D
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-opice-2025-cely-film-online-cz_fPbc
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-opice-cel-film-online-2025-sk-cz_fPbg
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bridget-jonesov-l-skou-len-2025-cel_fPb9
    https://www.loket.com/event/bridget-jonesov-l-skou-len-2025-cel-film_fPbD
    https://www.loket.com/event/bridget-jonesov-l-skou-len-cel-film-2025_fPDc
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-bridget-jonesov-l-skou-len-2025_fPD1
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bridget-jonesov-l-skou-len-cel-film_fPD3
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-roklina-2025-cel-film-online-cz-sk_fPDD
    https://www.loket.com/event/roklina-2025-cel-film-online-cz-dabing-a_fPUc
    https://www.loket.com/event/roklina-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz-sk_fPUY
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-roklina-2025-cely-film-online-cz_fPU1
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-roklina-cel-film-online-2025-sk-cz_fPU9

  • Parfum

    https://github.com/captain-america-4-brave-new-world-uhdq
    https://github.com/captain-america-4-world-uhd-today
    https://github.com/captain-america-4-now-avilbl-english-us
    https://github.com/captain-america-4-world-avalbl-english
    https://github.com/the-monkey-now-avalbl-english-us
    https://github.com/my-fault-london-now-avalbl-english-as
    https://github.com/your-fault-now-avalbl-english-us
    https://github.com/the-unbreakable-boy-now-avalbl-english

    https://github.com/one-of-them-days-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/den-of-thieves-2-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/the-prosecutor-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/your-fault-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/nosferatu-see-now-on-english-us-1
    https://github.com/babygirl-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/a-complete-unknown-see-now-on-english
    https://github.com/carry-on-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/sonic-3-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/mufasa-the-lion-king-see-now-on-english
    https://github.com/kraven-the-hunter-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/solo-leveling-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/moana-2-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/gladiator-ii-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/red-one-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/venom-3-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/the-substance-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/anora-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/fire-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/badass-ravikumar-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/loveyapa-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/vidaamuyarchi-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/lake-george-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/dog-man-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/companion-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/valiant-one-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/flight-risk-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/presence-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/back-in-action-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/the-brutalist-see-now-on-english-us
    https://github.com/marked-men-see-now-on-english
    https://github.com/wish-you-were-here-see-now-on-english
    https://github.com/wolf-man-see-now-on-english-us

    https://github.com/captain-america-brave-new-world-move-hq
    https://github.com/captain-america-brave-new-world-mov-hq
    https://github.com/captain-america-brave-new-world-movehq
    https://github.com/captain-america-4-world-on-uhd-today

    https://github.com/Captain-America-4-filmive-uss

    https://github.com/mickey-17-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-unbreakable-boy-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-gorge-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-witcher-sirens-of-the-deep-hd-on-us
    https://github.com/captain-america-brave-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/ne-zha-2-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/my-fault-london-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/paddington-in-peru-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/bridget-jones-mad-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/heart-eyes-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/love-hurts-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/parthenope-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/lake-george-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/dog-man-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/companion-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/valiant-one-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/flight-risk-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/presence-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/brave-the-dark-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/inheritance-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/marked-men-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/back-in-action-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-brutalist-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/wish-you-were-here-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/wolf-man-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/one-of-them-days-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/den-of-thieves-2-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-prosecutor-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/culpa-tuya-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/nosferatu-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/babygirl-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/a-complete-unknown-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/carry-on-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/sonic-3-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/kraven-the-hunter-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/mufasa-the-lion-king-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/solo-leveling-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/moana-2-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/wicked-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/gladiator-ii-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/red-one-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/venom-3-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/the-substance-hd-on-uss
    https://github.com/anora-hd-on-uss

    https://github.com/Captain-America-BraveNewWorld-uhd-today
    https://github.com/CaptainAmerica-BraveNewWorld-uhd-today
    https://github.com/CaptainAmerica4-BraveNewWorld-uhd-today
    https://github.com/CaptainAmerica4BraveNew-World-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Captain-America-4-uhd-todayy
    https://github.com/One-of-Them-Days-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Heart-Eyes-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Love-Hurts-uhd-today
    https://github.com/My-Fault-London-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Culpa-Mia-London-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Flight-Risk-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Paddington-in-Peru-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Companion-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Dog-Man-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Ne-Zha-2-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Nosferatu-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Anora-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Mickey-17-uhd-today
    https://github.com/The-Monkey-uhd-today
    https://github.com/The-Unbreakable-Boy-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Mobile-Suit-Gundam-GQuuuuX-uhd-today
    https://github.com/The-Gorge-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Star-Trek-Section-31-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Zero-Day-Season-1-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Reacher-Season-3-uhd-today
    https://github.com/The-White-Lotus-Season-3-uhd-today
    https://github.com/A-Thousand-Blows-Season-1-uhd-today
    https://github.com/High-Potential-Season-1-uhd-today
    https://github.com/neighborhood-spider-man-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Squid-Game-Season-2-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Solo-Leveling-ReAwakening-uhd-today
    https://github.com/A-Complete-Unknown-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Sonic-3-Sonic-the-Hedgehog-3-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Kraven-the-Hunter-uhd-today
    https://github.com/The-Substance-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Wicked-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Mufasa-The-Lion-King-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Venom-3-Venom-The-Last-Dance-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Moana-2-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Marked-Men-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Babygirl-uhd-today
    https://github.com/Your-Fault-Culpa-tuya-uhd-today

  • Parfum

    https://github.com/Roklina-cely-flm
    https://github.com/sleduj-Roklina-cz-dub
    https://github.com/Roklina-celly-cz-dar
    https://github.com/Roklina-filmy-ce-zet
    https://github.com/sleduj-Captain-America-cz-dubb
    https://github.com/Captain-America-flm-cely-Czz
    https://github.com/Captain-America-celle-cz-dar
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-2025-cz-a-f6s
    https://www.loket.com/event/filmycz-na-plech-cel-film-2025-zdarma-sk_f6l
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-online-cz-sk_f6W
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-cz-sk-a_f6d
    https://www.loket.com/event/na-plech-2025-cely-film-cz-a-zdarma_f6Z
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bez-trenek-2025-cel-film-online-cz_f6F
    https://www.loket.com/event/bez-trenek-2025-cel-film-cz-dabing-a_f6R
    https://www.loket.com/event/bez-trenek-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz_f6z
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-bez-trenek-2025-cely-film-online_f6e
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bez-trenek-cel-film-online-2025-sk_f6P
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-ern-k-2025-cel-film-online-cz_f649
    https://www.loket.com/event/ern-k-2025-cel-film-cz-dabing-a_f69c
    https://www.loket.com/event/ern-k-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz_f693
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-ern-k-2025-cely-film-online_f69D
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-ern-k-cel-film-online-2025-sk_f69U

  • Parfum

    https://github.com/Roklina-cely-flm
    https://github.com/sleduj-Roklina-cz-dub
    https://github.com/Roklina-celly-cz-dar
    https://github.com/Roklina-filmy-ce-zet
    https://github.com/sleduj-Captain-America-cz-dubb
    https://github.com/Captain-America-flm-cely-Czz
    https://github.com/Captain-America-celle-cz-dar
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-2025-cz-a-f6s
    https://www.loket.com/event/filmycz-na-plech-cel-film-2025-zdarma-sk_f6l
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-online-cz-sk_f6W
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-na-plech-cel-film-cz-sk-a_f6d
    https://www.loket.com/event/na-plech-2025-cely-film-cz-a-zdarma_f6Z
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bez-trenek-2025-cel-film-online-cz_f6F
    https://www.loket.com/event/bez-trenek-2025-cel-film-cz-dabing-a_f6R
    https://www.loket.com/event/bez-trenek-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz_f6z
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-bez-trenek-2025-cely-film-online_f6e
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-bez-trenek-cel-film-online-2025-sk_f6P
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-ern-k-2025-cel-film-online-cz_f649
    https://www.loket.com/event/ern-k-2025-cel-film-cz-dabing-a_f69c
    https://www.loket.com/event/ern-k-cel-film-2025-online-zdarma-cz_f693
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-hd-ern-k-2025-cely-film-online_f69D
    https://www.loket.com/event/sledujte-ern-k-cel-film-online-2025-sk_f69U

  • شركة نقل عفش بجدة

    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-mecca
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/home
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-jedaah-elhamdniah
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-yanbu
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-najran
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-Jizan
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/jazan
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/taif
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/moversjeddah
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-abha
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elahsa
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elkhobar
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elkharj
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elmadina-elmnowara
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-eljubail
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elqassim
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-hafrelbatin
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-elbaha
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-jeddah
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-dammam
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-taif
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-burydah
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-tabuk
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-hail
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-khamis-mushait
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/movers-rabigh
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/madina
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/mecca
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/dammam
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/jeddah
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/ahsa
    https://sites.google.com/view/movers-riyadh/cleaning-mecca


Leave a comment

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