EP. 274 Move or Stay? How to Decide Before Signing a New Office Lease

Should You Move or Stay? How to Decide Before Signing a New Office Lease

Before you sign a new lease or move into a bigger space, pause. Moving your Myofascial Release (MFR) business can feel like growth, but if it isn’t grounded in facts and data, it might actually reduce your profit and increase your stress.

In this episode of The MFR Coach® Podcast, Heather Hammell shares how to evaluate whether moving, expanding, or downsizing your office is the right financial and leadership decision for your business.

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When Moving Offices Can Hurt Your Profit and Create Unnecessary Stress

Bigger doesn’t always mean better. Many MFR therapists make emotional decisions about space upgrades, thinking a larger office will make them look more successful or motivated to grow. But if your move isn’t backed by numbers, it can drain profit, limit flexibility, and create unnecessary financial pressure.

Growth should support your goals, not sabotage them. Learn how to build a calm, sustainable business instead of chasing “next level” moves that don’t actually serve you.

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Four Questions to Ask Before Expanding Your MFR Business

Before you sign anything, ask yourself:

• Why am I moving?
• How much can I actually afford each month?
• Am I doing this to feel better?
• Am I moving to “eventually” do something else?

If your motivation is based on emotion rather than data, it’s time to pause. Facts, not feelings, should guide your next business move.

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Real-Life Example: The $150,000 Lease That Didn’t Increase Profit

Heather shares a painful but powerful story: the time she signed a five-year lease that consumed 50% of her income. Over five years, she paid $150,000 in rent that didn’t move her business forward.

That decision became a valuable lesson in evaluating the true cost of overhead and why even successful MFR therapists must base big decisions on financial clarity, not excitement or aesthetics.

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Legitimate Reasons to Move Your Myofascial Release Practice

Sometimes moving is the right decision. Consider relocation when:

• You or your clients don’t feel safe in the current space
• The landlord fails to maintain the property or uphold the lease
• You can afford a higher rent without reducing take-home pay
• Accessibility issues such as stairs, parking, or restrooms consistently impact clients

If your decision checks these boxes, you’re moving for the right reasons, not reactive ones.

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Why Downsizing Your MFR Practice Isn’t Failure

Downsizing isn’t a step back; it’s a strategy. A smaller, more affordable space can lead to higher take-home pay, less stress, and more profit.

Heather downsized to a one-room office at $500 per month and ended up earning more than ever before. Profitability isn’t about appearances; it’s about sustainability and peace of mind.

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What to Avoid Before You Sign a Commercial Lease

Not all leases protect you. Watch for red flags like:

• Requirements to use the landlord’s booking or scheduling software
• Restrictions on how you price or run your business
• Clauses granting access to your client data or emails
• Terms that make you act like a contractor or employee

Your lease should give you space, not take away your independence.

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Protecting Your Autonomy and Client Data as an MFR Therapist

Your scheduling software is one of the most important business tools you own. It protects your income, your data, and your client relationships.

If a lease agreement forces you to share or surrender client information, it’s a major red flag. Owning your own systems is a sign of leadership and a foundation for long-term profit.

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The True Cost of a Lease: What Every MFR Business Owner Should Calculate

Before signing, use this simple formula:
Monthly Rent × 12 × Lease Term = Total Lease Cost

Seeing the full number, not just the monthly payment, changes everything. Consider not just financial costs but emotional and physical ones too. If a lease would require longer hours or a second job to maintain, it’s not a sustainable move.

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Signs It’s Time to Downsize or Reevaluate Your Space

It may be time to scale back if:

• You’re not consistently paying yourself
• You rely on subletting rooms just to afford rent
• You have more space than you need
• You want to simplify and keep more of what you earn

Downsizing can mean reclaiming your profit, focus, and time.

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Leadership Lessons: Make Decisions from Facts, Not Feelings

Your office lease isn’t just an operational choice; it’s a leadership decision. Ask yourself:

• Is this move necessary?
• Will it increase my profit, pay, and peace?

When all three answers are yes, you’re leading your business from clarity, not impulse.

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Final Takeaway: Profit-Driven Growth Over Space-Driven Growth

Real growth in your MFR business doesn’t always require more space. Sometimes, it’s about more strategy, more boundaries, and more confidence in your numbers.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another MFR therapist who’s thinking about moving. And if you want coaching on making smarter, calmer business decisions, join Heather inside Foundations or Beyond 100K.

Let’s make your next move the right one for your business, your profit, and your peace.

**This podcast is not medical advice and is not a substitute for consultation with an appropriate medical professional. We make no representations as to any physical, emotional, or mental health benefits that may be derived from listening to our podcast. Likewise, we do not make any representations or guarantees as to any possible income, business growth, additional clients, or any other earnings or growth benefits that may be derived from our podcast. Any testimonials, examples, or other results presented are the experiences of one client. We do not represent or guarantee you will achieve the same or similar results. You understand and agree you are solely responsible for any decisions you make from the information provided.**

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