As more workers find themselves stalled in career transition, business ownership becomes a realistic option. In fact, the latest Challenger Job Market Index reports start-up activity among jobless managers and executives reached a four-year high in 2009 with the percentage of unemployed workers starting their own business increasing to an average of 8.6%. That’s an increase of 69% from 2008.
One resourceful woman is not only part of the surge in entrepreneurial activity, but she’s also taking advantage of it by starting her own business to help new business owners find and lease the best location for their new businesses. Elizabeth Angyal has launched Angyal Realty Advisors to help new business owners who may have a terrific business plan, but don’t know how to choose the best site for their business, how to negotiate a lease or renegotiate with their current landlord.
Angyal is a real estate development expert with more than 25 years of experience managing the real estate plans of high growth, multi-unit national tenants. She has worked for Fortune 50 companies such as Pepsi and McDonald’s as well as retailers and service providers such as FedEx-Kinko’s and Pep Boys.
Beginning in April, Angyal will offer two low-cost seminars each month at Loyola Marymount University (adjacent to LAX) focusing on the two key real estate tasks: site selection and retail lease negotiation.
Conducted in a small-group setting, the seminars encourage discussion and provide a forum to address critical questions and provide answers on issues such as the effects of co-tenancy, green building requirements and ways to reduce occupancy costs.
The current economic climate has resulted in decreased overall demand for new retail space and increased vacancies. Angyal sees this as a historic, unique opportunity for these tenants to reposition their business for short-term stability and long-term profitability. The Lease Negotiation Seminar focuses on renegotiation strategies. “Apart from rent reductions, changing other key lease terms can impact top line sales and bottom line income†says Angyal.
Small businesses are expected to be the engine to grow our U.S. economy in the future. Last month, President Obama outlined the details of the new Small Business Lending Fund, which will be created using $30 billion from money repaid by Wall Street banks. The fund will provide capital for community banks to lend to small businesses that are struggling to obtain loans since bank lending standards have tightened.
According to Angyal, a small business can maximize its chances for long-term success by selecting the right site and negotiating a lease that keeps occupancy costs low. “Whether you are a dentist or a florist, whether you are opening a second location or your first, the space you select is a key factor contributing to your success,†Angyal said. “I want people to benefit from my training and experience to make smart decisions when it comes to choosing where to locate their business and negotiating the best possible lease.â€
For more information on Angyal Realty Advisors’ seminars and consulting services, visit www.angyalrealtyadvisors.com.
