For more than 15 years, I had the honor of owning the building where my company thrived. I can still recall the moment when the deal closed, and the keys were placed in my hands. It was as though I was stepping into a new chapter, unlocking the door to what had once been a Buddhist temple.

The space was unlike anything I had ever seen—lofty ceilings, light pouring in from every angle. It had an ethereal quality, a sense of history and spirit that couldn’t be ignored. It was as if the building itself whispered its past, asking to be transformed.

And transformed it was. In less than 60 days, we took that beautiful, eclectic space and shaped it into our own—commercial office space, but with the heart and soul of something much deeper. When we moved in, it felt like more than a business decision. It felt like destiny.

I paid off the building in less than five years, a feat that always brought me quiet pride. Each morning, as I approached the solid oak door, I would pause for just a second, knowing that this place was mine. There was something powerful in that connection that went beyond ownership.

I often found myself staying late, the stillness of the building comforting in its quiet. Weekends were spent there too, working, reflecting, thinking. Over the years, we hosted countless events, seminars, receptions, and so many client meetings. The building became more than just an office. It was a part of our story, a character in the narrative of our company.

Visitors were always curious about the building’s origins. I told and retold the story of how we ended up in a former temple, refining it over time into something short, witty, and yet deeply meaningful. People loved the story, and I loved sharing it.

There was a certain magic in that space. I felt it every day. The energy, the history, even the karma, if you will—it all infused the work we did there. I came to work with a sense of excitement and pride, especially when I knew someone new was visiting, eager to hear the tale of how we made that space our own.

To add to the significance, the building was less than a kilometer from where I grew up, in the home my parents once owned, a home I later purchased when they moved on. It felt as if my life had come full circle—living, working, and growing, all within a space so deeply tied to my roots.

The value of living and working close to home is hard to describe. It’s a feeling of connection, of belonging. For years, I walked or rode my bike to work, and every day felt like a quiet victory.

But three years ago, we outgrew that space. The time came to move on. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. Letting go of that building felt like letting go of a part of myself. But as it turned out, the timing was right. The pandemic shifted the market, and new office space became available as businesses shuttered or downsized. We found a larger, more modern space that suited our needs perfectly.

And yet, as I sit here now, in this new, spacious boardroom, I can’t help but feel that something is missing. We rent this place, and no matter how functional or beautiful it is, it doesn’t hold the same weight, the same spirit, as the place I owned.

There was something in the ownership itself that I cannot replicate. The pride, the energy, the sense of belonging—it was woven into the very walls of that building. If you can, I urge you to own your premises. There is an intangible, almost indescribable value in it.

Ownership brings with it a deep motivation, a reason to work harder, not just for the sake of business but for the sake of something greater. There’s a sense of fulfillment in knowing that every step you take improves not just your company, but your future.

You can pay off someone else’s mortgage, or you can invest in your own.

The choice, as always, is yours.

PS I am licensed to sell both real estate and businesses.

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