Barbara Corcoran is the real estate contributor for NBC’s TODAY Show where she regularly comments on trends in the real estate market. But most people know her as one of the sharks on ABC’s reality hit show Shark Tank. If you really want to question her business knowledge, consider that she turned a $1,000 loan and parlayed that loan into a $5 billion real estate business. Then in 2001, she sold that business for $66 million. This shows that she knows a little about building a business. Here are some of her best tips for small-business owners from an article on the Forbes website (followed by our comments):
“Don’t be afraid to make big mistakes. All the best things that happened in my business happened on the heels of failure. Don’t be afraid to fail; it’s proof that you are meant to be a successful entrepreneur. The only difference between people who are hugely successful and those who aren’t, is the time it takes them to get back up after getting knocked down.”
One of our regular training room renters is an entrepreneur who has had several businesses. Some have been successful and others not so successful. Now he teaches other entrepreneurs about the pitfalls he encountered.
“Little companies always move faster. The big guy may have the corner on money, but the little guy usually has the corner on creativity. Take some time to sit down and figure out how your big rival is promoting its brand and plan something smarter and more creative for yours.”
As a start-up, do you really want to be locked into a long-term lease for office space? Renting short-term office space on a month-to-month basis allows you to grow and expand your space without a penalty. But it also allows you to take smaller space at the same address without losing your corporate identity.
“Take full advantage of all the free social media out there. Before you go out and blow money on advertising, capitalize on the free online access that leads you direct to your customers. Blog, Tweet with humour, and make as many friends as you can on Facebook FB +%. You can quickly build a huge following of customers willing to try your new product without spending a dollar on advertising.”
Telsec has learned by experience that social media is the way to attract an audience and turn those views into customers. Many of our new Virtual Office clients found us through social media and this blog. Most of our posts are not about our products, but offer advice to small business owners. This helps to build trust and not be seen as just advertising the services we offer.
“Make a marketplace report. The best way to get some attention for your brand is to publish an industry report chock full of statistics. You’ll be surprised how much you know about your industry once you start putting some numbers down on paper. Reporters need stories, and if you put your report in a short, easy-to-read format and name it after your company, you’ll soon become the expert reporters call when they need a quote. The easiest way to steal market share from your competitors is to steal the limelight – and nothing does that faster than being quoted in the press.”
Since starting this blog and writing articles for other websites, Telsec is called upon from time to time to share advice to small businesses and start-ups. Business articles have even linked to some of our blogs as sources on the changes that are happening in office space.
“Stop putting it off! Procrastination is the enemy of success. The time you waste on stalling breeds guilt, and guilt deflates energy and sometimes even leads to depression. When you feel stuck and can’t seem to move ahead, always remember that you don’t have to get it right; you just have to get it going!”
When one of our office-space tenants had an idea for a new product, he asked us about renting an additional team space for a special project that would require 8 months of teamwork. We had an available team space and did not require them to sign a long-term lease. His team was able to come up with a plan and ended up only needing the additional space for 5 months. The short-term rental saved them a lot of money.

Hotels
1. THE OMNI KING EDWARD HOTEL
37 King Street East
Toronto
Jennifer Smith, General Manager
Jennifer.smith@omnihotels.com
Tel: 416-863-9700
www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. EXECUTIVE HOTELS AND RESORTS (BOUTIQUE)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mark Perry, General Manager
generalmanager@cosmotoronto.com
sales@cosmotoronto.com
reservations@cosmotoronto.com
sales.toronto@executivehotels.net
Tel: 416-350-2419
www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. HOTEL VICTORIA (BOUTIQUE)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto
Emeline Boul, General Manager
frontdesk@hotelvictoriatoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. ONE KING WEST HOTEL
1 King Street West
Toronto
Omkar Sawant, Reservations Manager
reservations@onekingwest.com
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
www.onekingwest.com
5. CAMBRIDGE SUITES TORONTO
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto
Van Nguyen, General Manager
booktoronto@cambridgesuitestoronto.com
Direct: 416-601-3757 Hotel: 416-368-1990
www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
6. LE GERMAIN HOTEL
Maple Leaf Square
75 Bremner Vlvd.
Toronto
Claudia Cantor
ccantor@germainhotels.com
416-649-4085
Jessica Ham
jham@germainhotels.com
416-910-0427
Main: 416-649-7575
www.germainhotels.com
Health and Wellness
1. MORPHEUS8 BY INMODE
47 Colborne Street
Toronto
Thom Tullo
info@amanspa.ca
Tel: 416-863-6564
www.amanspa.ca
2. ALTITUDE ATHLETIC TRAINING
56 Colborne Street
Toronto
info@altitudeathletictraining.com
Tel: 416-366-3838
www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. POUTx – Botox and filler clinic
89 King Street East
Toronto
info@thepoutxlinic.com
Tel: 647-350-5475
www.poutx.com
4. PHYSIOHEATH STUDIOS
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto
info@physiohealthstudios.com
Tel: 416-368-2525
https://physiohealthstudios.com/
CAFES & COFFEE SHOPS
1. Tim Hortons
18 King St. East (Telsec Building)
Toronto
2. Daily Ritual Café
1 King St. West
Toronto
3. Starbucks
4 King St. West
Toronto
4. Mos Mos Coffee
25 King St. West
Toronto
5. Hale Coffee Company
1 Adelaide St. E
Toronto
6. Coffee at Carltons
36 Toronto St.
Toronto
GREAT QUALITY NEIGHBOURHOOD
18 King Street East is a quality boutique Class A building – East
of Yonge Street: easy street parking, less traffic, excellent restaurants and lovely treed parks – St. James Park @
Church & King and Berczy Park @ Wellington East, Scott and Front Streets – Very high energy and engaging
area.
RESTAURANTS/TAKE OUT
Leave it to TELSEC. Let our staff take care of the catering for the important business meeting room rental or
training seminar! Just let us know what types of food you prefer and for how many people and let us do the
rest. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, Telsec can provide anything from assorted sandwiches to a high-quality
hot sit-down meal. We’re always happy to take care of our clients! https://telsec.net/boardrooms-meeting-
rooms/
1. CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto
Ryan Halsall
info@craftbeermarket.ca
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
www.craftbeermarket.ca
Toronto’s first chef-driven food hall, perfect for lunch or team outings, with a wide selection of seasonal
dishes and local brews.
2. Beerbistro restaurant and bar
Outdoor patio next to our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
18 King Street East, Main Floor
Toronto
Omid Azad
info@beerbistro.com
Tel: 416-861-9872
www.beerbistro.com
3. CONVIVIUM DINING – HIGH-END (SOME TABLES BACK ONTO OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E.
83 Yonge Street
Toronto
Soumini Agate
sa@myconvivium.com
General Manager
Sarah Watson
sw@myconvivium.com
Floor Manager
Tatiana Frelik (Events)
tf@myconvivium.com
Tel: 416-691-9909
www.myconvivium.com
4. RESTAURANT 20 VICTORIA – MICHELIN 2025 APPROVED
20 Victoria Street
Toronto
Declan
20vicreservations@gmail.com
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. JOEY KING STREET
20 King Street West
Toronto
Nora Elhanafy
nelhanafy@joeyrestaurants.com
Tel: 647-678-5639
www.joeyrestaurants.com
If you want to wow your business partners or clients, then grab and go from this contemporary dining
spot with a menu featuring international and regional dishes. Order their upscale east like sushi, salads,
steaks or that wagyu beef carpaccio. Yum!
6. DACASTO (take out)
37 King Street East
Toronto
Enrico Dacasto
enrico@dacasto.com
Tel: 416-214-0986
www.dacasto.com
7. DEB BREAKFAST. CO (take out)
20 Toronto Street
Toronto
Sade Henry
torontostgm@eatdeb.com
Tel: 347-880-8291
www.torontostgm.com
8. THE POKE BOX (take out)
36 Toronto Street
Toronto
Jeremy
info@thepokebox.ca
Tel: 416-929-0363
www. thepokebox.ca
For business teams that love to indulge but want to feel good about it, consider ordering from The Poke
Box. Their individual boxed meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and packed with protein! Great
for sushi lovers but without a mess.
9. CARISMA (ITALIAN)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto
Michael Pagliaro
info@carismarestaurant.com
Tel: 416-864-7373
www.carismarestaurant.com
10. NAMI (JAPANESE)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Mana
namirestaurant1984@gmail.com
Tel: 416-362-7373
www.namirestaurant.ca
11. TERRONI (ITALIAN)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto
Patti Shaw
info@terroni.com
Tel: 416-203-3093
www.terroni.com
12. SWAAGAT – THE REAL TASTE OF INDIA
36 King Street East
Toronto
swaagattoronto@gmail.com
Tel: 647-943-9754
13. WOODS RESTAURANT AND BAR
45 Colborne Street
Toronto
Robin Singh
info@woodsrestaurant.ca
Tel: 416-214-9918
www.woodsrestaurant.ca
14. aKin – Michelin 2025 approved
51 Colborne Street
Toronto
Mike Birdsey, Genral Manager
Eric Chong, chef + owner
info@atkintoronto.com
Tel: 416-363-0151
www.atkintoronto.com
aKin is a modern Asian-inspired fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Toronto. Offering a
meticulously curated 10-course blind tasting menu that highlights local and seasonal ingredients, with
influences from diverse Asian cuisines.
15. CANTINA MERCATTO
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto
Niam H
info@cantinamercatto.ca
Tel: 416-304-0781
www.cantinamercatto.ca
16. UNCLE TONY’S
38 Wellington St E
Toronto
Siva Sathasivam
uncletonyssiva@gmail.com
Tel: 416-455-6650
https://uncletonys.ca/
17. FRESH KITCHEN + JUICE BAR – vegan restaurant
47 Front Street East
Toronto
Lindsey Dauilmar
ldavilmar@recipeunlimited.com
Tel: 647-693-7556
www.freshkitchens.ca
This plant-based restaurant is so good you won’t even miss meat. It’s a great choice for delicious and
health-conscious food and a top pick for those with dietary restrictions. Choose from their lunch and
dinner menu or opt for their takeout bundles and get appetizers and entrees for multiple people.
18. THE FLAT IRON: A FIRKIN PUB
49 Wellington Street East
Toronto
JC Trujillo
Jctrujillo3@gmail.com
Tel: 647-561-7224, 416-362-3444
www.firkinpubs.com/theflatiron
If your team likes pub grub, then the Firkin’s traditional English food is for you. Order from their party
platter menu for large groups, which includes all your classic pub favourites like fish and chips, sliders,
skewers, tacos, nachos, charcuterie boards and more.
19. SCORE ON KING (Sports Bar)
Outdoor Patio + Heated
Church & King
107 King Street East
Toronto
Tel: 416-519-4654
www.scoreonking.com
20. RESTAURANT LUCIE
100 Yonge Street
Toronto
info@restaurantlucie.com
Tel: 416-788-9054
www.restaurantlucie.com
21. PIZZAIOLO
(no e-mail)
104 Yonge Street
Toronto
Tel: 416-860-0700
www.pizzaiolo.ca
Restaurants
1. Ryan Halsall
CRAFT BEER MARKET (OUTDOOR COURTYARD)
Courtyard backs onto our Telsec building, 18 King St. E
1 Adelaide St E (enter on east side of Yonge St., south of Adelaide)
Toronto, ON
M5C 2V9
Tel: 437-922-BEER (2337)
Website: www.craftbeermarket.ca
2. Michael Pagliaro
Carisma (Italian)
15 Toronto Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2E3
Tel: 416-864-7373
Website: www.carismarestaurant.com
3. Patti Shaw
Terroni (Italian)
57 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-203-3093
Website: www.terroni.com
4. Declan
Restaurant 20 Victoria – Michelin guide approved
20 Victoria Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-804-6066
Instagram for reservations: https://www.instagram.com/twentyvictoria/
5. Mana
Nami (Japanese)
55 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1K6
Tel: 416-362-7373
Website: www.namirestaurant.ca
6. Restaurant Lucie
100 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2W1
Tel: 416-788-9054
Website: www.restaurantlucie.com
7. Niam H
Cantina Mercatto
20 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C5
Tel: 416-304-0781
Website: www.cantinamercatto.ca
8. Siva Sathasivam
Uncle Tony’s
38 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON
M5E 1C7
Tel: 416-455-6650
Website: https://uncletonys.ca/
9. Pizzaiolo
104 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5C 2Y6
Tel: 416-860-0700
Website: www.pizzaiolo.ca
10. Robin Singh
Woods Restaurant and Bar
45 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-214-9918
Website: www.woodsrestaurant.ca
11. Amadeusz Domyslawski
GUSTO 501
501 King St. E
Toronto, ON
M5A 1L9
Tel: 416-477-5647
Website: www.gusto501.com
Health and Wellness
1. Thom Tullo
Morpheus8 by Inmode
47 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-863-6564
Website: www.amanspa.ca
2. Altitude Athletic Training
56 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E3
Tel: 416-366-3838
Website: www.altitudeathletictraining.com
3. Physioheath Studios
33 Victoria Street, #130
Toronto, ON
M5C 2A1
Tel: 416-368-2525
Website: www.physiohealth.com
Hotels
1. Jennifer Smith
General Manager
The Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1E9
Tel: 416-863-9700
Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward
2. Mark Perry
General Manager
Executive Hotels and Resorts (Boutique)
8 Colborne Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1E1
Tel: 416-350-2419
Website: www.spazen.ca or www.cosmotoronto.com
3. Emeline Boul
General Manager
Hotel Victoria (Boutique)
56 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M5E 1G5
Tel: 416-363-1666
Mobile: 647-574-5832
Website: www.hotelvictoriatoronto.com
4. Omkar Sawant
Reservations Manager
One King West Hotel
1 King Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H 1A1
Main: 416-548-8100
Reservations: 1-866-470-5464
Website: www.onekingwest.com
5. Van Nguyen
General Manager
Cambridge Suites Toronto
15 Richmond Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 1N2
Direct: 416-601-3757
Hotel: 416-368-1990
Website: www.cambridgesuitestoronto.com
We are by far the most experienced and best coworking team in the market – established in 1980
18 King Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5C 1C4 Canada
Please check out our 70 second video, click below:
Take a look at our facilities www.telsec.net
Telsec will Customize Your Client’s Office(s) Layout to Meet Their Requirements.
You are welcome to drop-in any-time, a quick call would be appreciated to ensure our availability Vanessa 416-574-1112 or Josie 416-606-4349 or e-mail josie@telsec.net.