182. Mark Burge on Why the Best Flex Operators Know When to Say No

What if the real flex opportunity isn't about chasing every deal… but knowing exactly which ones to walk away from?

I always love having Mark Burge, CEO and co-founder of Flex Workspace Solutions, back on the podcast. He's thoughtful, candid, and one of the few operators who will openly say, "Actually… this project doesn't make sense." And he means it.

In this episode, Mark shares how 2025 was one of their slowest years for new client acquisition… and also their best year ever. Why? Because they got crystal clear on who they are, who they serve, and who they don't.

We talk about:

• The real shift happening in landlord mindset around management agreements
• Why some owners are finally seeing flex as a building amenity, not just a revenue play
• The discipline it takes to say no to the wrong project

• How trust built through honesty leads to better long-term partnerships
• The sweet spot in square footage and why bigger isn't always better
• And yes… whether AI should be booking your tours

If you're working with landlords, considering a management model, or trying to figure out where AI fits in a hospitality-driven industry, this conversation will make you think.

Resources Mentioned in this Podcast:

Mark Burge on LinkedIn

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