Caton Commercial Real Estate Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the former CEO of Design & Promote, a digital marketing agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Caton Commercial Real Estate Group?

When I started my business, I was working out of my house, but I wanted a more professional presence. I reached out to Caton Commercial to find a nice office space.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

I started off by telling Caton Commercial what I was looking for, and they provided me with suggestions on what the best space for my business would be. We set a budget and figured out how long the lease should be. 

We checked out a few office spaces, and Caton Commercial eventually started negotiating. When we found my office, I didn’t like the way it was configured, so they ended up gutting the space and rebuilding it the way I wanted. 

What is the team composition?

I worked with a couple of people, including Christina (Partner) and Steve (Partner). There were a few admin people involved as well, when Christina wasn’t available.

How did you come to work with Caton Commercial Real Estate Group?

I was a member of the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, and Christina was on my team. I knew her for many years before working with her, so I naturally considered her first when I needed to find a space.

What is the status of this engagement?

It took about two months to get everything figured out. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

The team found me a beautiful location. There’s a glass atrium in the entryway with a waterfall, and when I first walked in, there were two glass doors to my office with my logo already on it. I ended up with a five year lease. I felt like I got the best deal and location. 

Once I moved in, I immediately realized that Canton Commercial was right about the type of office space they said I needed. Having such a nice space lent more credibility to the business, and having the office located so well meant I was able to pick up more clients.

How did Caton Commercial Real Estate Group perform from a project management standpoint?

Caton Commercial was excellent. As the project progressed, we were in communication every couple of days. They were very accessible, but not to the point of being overbearing. They struck the right balance. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

The professionalism and the quality of their contacts stand out. They were very well acquainted with the area, and they knew which buildings were worth my time and which weren’t. In the end, I didn’t have to do any work; I could just trust their guidance. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing that comes to mind.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust what Caton Commercial is telling you because they have a lot of experience and expertise.