Morris Levy – Co-Founder and CEO of The Yard

Live clean, healthy and take full responsibility for where you are in life because only then can you move forward.

Morris Levy is co-founder and CEO of The Yard. Prior to co-founding The Yard, Morris managed a firm with more than 60 commercial properties, brokerage and several ground-up developments. Morris cut his teeth in the fashion industry, where he worked for 15 years before shifting into real estate. He is a native of Brooklyn, NY where he still lives today with his family and enjoys playing in his band, Men in My Head, in his spare time.

Where did the idea for The Yard come from?

When myself and my co-founder Richard Beyda founded The Yard in Williamsburg in 2011, there weren’t many options for flexible workers or companies who needed space but couldn’t commit to an expensive, long-term lease. We wanted to be a destination for the many entrepreneurs who wanted the community they called home, and the borough we grew up and now live in, to also be the headquarters for their growing businesses. Since then, the idea of shared office spaces has become much more widespread and we know have 7 locations across Brooklyn and Manhattan, with 6 more opening soon in NYC, Philadelphia, D.C. and Boston.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I’m up very early to get into the office, so I can ease into the day. I tackle first what I like to do least, so I can enjoy the day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I write about my ideas so I can see how they look on paper. People are quick to shoot down pure creativity, so writing it out helps me think the idea all the way through.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The new possibilities being realized in the tech world, and how it is changing daily life. Spending time with The Yard members and what they’re working on, I get to witness it daily.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

Self care, in particular meditation and working out.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Live clean, healthy and take full responsibility for where you are in life because only then can you move forward.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?

That I am always on time for everything.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Think about all challenges from your customers’ perspective, and review your numbers.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.

Kindness. There are times when I have to let others do things their way and accept the outcome. Encouraging people to grow and make decisions.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

As an entrepreneur I fail often. The examples don’t matter. What counts is how fast you rebound…pivot…call it what you want…but you have to move on fast.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I think email needs to be overhauled. Someone should create a more efficient email system.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

Getting stretched by a personal trainer at the gym.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

I use my calendar to death. It’s how I make sure I schedule moving between our multiple locations and knowing what’s going on with my team.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“The Surrender Experiment” by Michael Singer. So often we try to force things into being that are not good for us be it business or personal. This book explores how to find that balance.

What is your favorite quote?

One day at a time.

Key learnings:

● Keep your body and mind healthy to be more productive
● How you balance creativity, failure and finding new ways to win
● That technology is a great advantage but there is still room for efficiencies

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