FreeOfficeFinder, founded in 2002, is an innovative and comprehensive service that helps companies find and rent ideal office spaces for free.
As one of the pioneers in the private and flexible office space market, the company has grown along with the industry It is expected to reach $2.84 billion by 2029 UK only. FreeOfficeFinder has been at the forefront of this growth, meeting the demand for adaptable, managed and serviced office space across London and the UK.
The company’s mission is to provide businesses with a wide range of office options without the burden of large relocation fees, a common practice among other agents. What started with a modest database of just two buildings has expanded into a portfolio of more than 2,700 properties managed by more than 1,000 owners. This growth reflects FreeOfficeFinder’s ongoing commitment to offering a wide variety of office solutions that meet the diverse needs of customers, from small startups to large enterprises.
To date, FreeOfficeFinder has helped over 50,000 organizations secure their flexible and perfect office spaces, a testament to the trust companies place in their services. The company’s commitment to quality and industry standards is further highlighted by its membership in the Flessibile Space Association since 2009.
Operating a hybrid working setup, the FreeOfficeFinder team split their time between a serviced office in Farringdon, London, and remote working. This experience highlights the importance of having a collaborative office environment, a perspective they bring to the clients they serve.
Here, CEO Nick Riesel, of FreeOfficeFinder, shares insights into the inspiration behind the company, lessons learned over the years, and the principles that define their approach to business.
What was the inspiration behind FreeOfficeFinder?
Finally, I saw a gap in the market and gave it a shot. I was working in residential real estate and saw an opportunity to solve a problem that so many people were facing. As I spoke to people it became clear that traditional methods of finding office space were overly complicated and outdated, often involving high costs in the form of agency fees and a lack of transparency.
The vision was to create a service that not only connected customers with suitable office spaces, but also offered a unique and seamless process. Thus FreeOfficeFinder was born.
By leveraging the model where owners pay us for successful introductions, we could keep the service completely free for customers, meaning businesses can focus on what they do best without the added financial burden and complexity of research of an office. The term FreeOfficeFinder reflected our offering in 2002 and still does today.
Who do you admire?
Jeff Bezos stands out to me. His journey with Amazon, transforming it from an online bookstore to a global marketplace that sells virtually everything, quickly and easily, is a remarkable story of strategic pivot. His ability to foresee the potential of the Internet and adapt his business model to it not only revolutionized e-commerce but also made him one of the richest people in the world. By remaining innovative and customer-focused, he has demonstrated incredible entrepreneurial versatility.
I also admire Richard Branson for his extraordinary ability to create a brand that has spanned so many different markets and industries for over 50 years. His ability to make his brand a success in so many industries is remarkable.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?
Honestly? Too much to count! I learned so much that would have been invaluable in the early days of the business. But I think most of all, having a mentor early on would have really helped me.
Having access to someone with similar entrepreneurial experiences could have really accelerated our growth and improved our decision-making processes. Over the past two decades, the learning curve has been steep, with new knowledge acquired every week. A mentor could have provided guidance and wisdom that would have led to achieving goals much faster and probably even with fewer obstacles. There were so many questions I wanted to ask. I hope that later I can offer others the kind of mentorship that I now know has been so helpful to me.
What defines your way of doing business?
The way FreeOfficeFinder conducts business is based on principles that might seem clichéd but are fundamentally sound: provide good service and be fair to everyone involved: staff, customers and suppliers.
Our goal is to foster a positive work environment and build long-term relationships. When people want to work with you and enjoy their work, they minimize the time and resources spent replacing staff or negotiating with dissatisfied customers. Instead, you can better invest your time in growing the business and making your service offerings better and better.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
I think an important piece of advice is to try to value criticism over praise. As difficult as it may seem, understanding the pain points of your service or product is crucial. Constructive criticism means having actionable insights that, if addressed correctly, can significantly improve the quality and attractiveness of what you offer. Accepting feedback with a growth mindset can truly turn challenges into opportunities.
And of course, as I said before, find a mentor if you can. Having a mentor means that you can learn from someone who has been through highs and lows and who can share their wisdom to help you avoid mistakes and make smart choices. Mentors help you gain confidence, refine your game plan, and introduce you to important people. Value an idea being successful over whose idea it was.