Baltimore Entrepreneur Revolutionizes The Commercial Leasing Process
Leasing commercial office space is one of the most complex business transactions a business owner must negotiate as well as one of the largest expenses incurred by any business, large or small.
Kinglet describes itself as a digital marketplace for office space. Kinglet seeks to reduce both the complexity and the expense of the leasing process for the business owner looking for either a suite, a private office, a cubicle or an open space rental.
Alex Kopicki is the CEO and one of the co-founders of Kinglet. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in diplomatic history, and the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business with a master's in real estate. Kopicki, along with his partner, brings several years of real estate consulting and development experience to this project; this is their first foray into merging technology with the commercial leasing process.
What inspired you to start your current enterprise?
"When my business partner, Jeff Jacobson, and I started our first small business, we realized how broken the commercial leasing process was. There were limited options and high costs to lease office space. The industry was wrought with inefficiencies, and small businesses and entrepreneurs often had to pay the price.
We'd been on both sides of the process, as a renter and as a broker, and believed we could better the system—therefore we created Kinglet."
How does your educational background relate to your current role?
"At both the University of Pennsylvania and later at Johns Hopkins, I was always surrounded by smart engaging people who exemplified skills that I continue to use to this day. For example, an important part of my role as a leader of Kinglet is to continue to surround myself with smart, motivated individuals who aren't afraid of challenging industry norms while having a little fun along the way."
How has your education helped to further your career and contribute to your success?
"Personally, I'm a believer that education doesn't stop upon graduation. The real test is when your efforts aren't measured in A's, B's or C's but by being able to support yourself and your family. For me, school was one part training and one part networking; I continue to leverage connections as business resources and partners."
What is some advice you can offer others looking to go into your field?
"I would encourage people to focus their efforts on what they know. Nothing can supplement a deep-rooted understanding of a market or an industry. For instance, without almost a decade of experience as a real estate developer, I wouldn't be able to make an impact on the market from a technology perspective."
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.