Question:

Let’s go back to the beginning days of Compass. Looking back at that first year, tell us about your growing pains. If you could go back and do anything differently, would you?

Answers: 

Chris: There were a lot of growing pains...too many to count! I would say the biggest challenge was not having a team as soon as we did. It was just us for a while. We had to do everything ourselves...and not only do we not know how to do everything, but we aren’t the best at everything, either! We’re the first ones to admit that. Our process was so much slower without a team. Once we had grown enough to get a crew and then instill our passion amongst our team, it was absolutely amazing. As far as what we could’ve done better, we could’ve utilized technology and the evolution of space better. If we had time to look ahead, we might have grown faster and accomplished a lot more goals.

Eric: When we left an old company and started Compass, the automatic trust our clients had in us was so special. I mean, we would tell them, “listen we don’t have any apartments yet, but we need you to give me a lead so I have the opportunity to go get one”. I would literally run into Bed, Bath and Beyond with a list and fill up shopping carts with things to furnish these apartments...it was crazy! Being so intimately involved, setting up, and getting our hands dirty was such a blessing looking back. We see first hand how it all comes together and the stress everyone goes through. For that, I really wouldn’t do anything differently. Seeing where we are today, I am so proud. Those growing pains were needed in order for us to grow.