I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

So, I am basically running on just a few hours of very interrupted and distracted sleep, but I have come closer to a decision. After speaking with the studio consultant, Elisa, who I hired for Doing Dishes (hereafter referred to as the 1st or main studio), I feel a lot better about how I was feeling. She basically agrees with Brian and I that we aren't going to loose anything financially if we have the ability to get out of a lease without penalty. Meaning, if I buy the studio, in a year it isn't doing well....I just pack it up and move all the stuff to the 1st studio and sell it off there. That is assuming the studio pays for itself from the start, which I am, and Elisa are, fairly sure it will do without a problem. Elisa's 2 main concerns were 1: That I have a small, needy, demanding, adorable, lovable, smoochy baby at home and 2: That staffing a 2nd studio will be as fun as toothpicks under your fingernails, a fact I currently deal with at the 1st studio. She suggested I offer the Achy Breaky Girls a whopping $3500 clams and then politely asked them to get their junk and stilettos out of my studio. I agree with her and I was even thinking of going a bit higher, but I like the way she thinks.

I am meeting with the landlord tomorrow and after seeing a proposed lease, I know there will be some heavy negotiations. Luckily or unluckily, I have been screwed by my current lease at the 1st studio, so I know what to ask for and what to try and get away with.

• I am going to ask for 2 months free rent due to all of the repairs that she and I will both need to make.
• I am going to ask that the windows be replaced or removed and re-caulked.
• I am going to ask for the AC unit to be her sole responsibility, as well as the roof leaks that I already know about.
• I am going to ask for a 3 year lease with the ability to get out after a year with no penalties.
• I am going to ask to make the sign as big as possible, compared to the Crappy pink one they have now!

I just need a manager and I don't know if I can count on Heather as a manager. (I dropped the idea of a partner, I mean do I really need that drama?!) I know I could find one, but it's always easier to go with the known, rather than the unknown. Plus, it's Christmas time soon and I will have to train someone and train them FAST if I hire outside. If all of this works out, please know that if you can come help, we would love to have ya. It was the help of you guys that made the 1st studio possible and I am forever grateful. I am thinking of closing the 1st week in November, but we'll see, it may be the last week of October, just depends on how fast things move this/next week. Wish me (and Brian, poor guy) much luck.