Should I move

[kjchronic]

So heres my story. I was on a three month trial lease at a mini day spa. I have been there since March. So yes the lease expired in June. Some of the good, my rent is 300.00 for a Mon-Fri, I get some overflow of the owner who is in the other room, (there are only two rooms) some of the bad, the space is 7.5x7.5 aprox., bathroom is located down the hall outside of our office space, its hotter then a muther, don't know if its gonna be cold in the winter. Its an old brick building with bad air circulation. Strange enough my clients don't complain but I am sweating bullets. And no its not menopause yet! I have been talking to the owner about re-doing the lease. I offered Wed-Fri and every other Sat. However, she is not comitting on giving me the days I want. She wants to leave it open so that the new leasee can be swayed by having a choice too. I offered to just take Sat out of the deal but that wasn't what she had in mind either. I could have it full time but thats 425.00 I have been averaging 4-6 clients per week and the odd weekend chair event or spa party. So far not a trouble at all with making rent and having some to pay myself. In fact I am pretty happy with myself. There is some marketing I have not done as I feel its direct competition to the owner who also does massage. It just feels weird.
Today I went and looked at a new space 2 miles from where i am now. Beautiful gardens, washer dryer, kitchen area, waiting room, nice size work space room for 400.00. Its about 75.00 out of my comfort zone, but having the w&d right there is a huge bonus. I hate packing dirty sheets out.
So I really want to move. My questions to you guys:
1. How much notice should I give? I am not under any contract but I don't want to be a jerk. I also don't want to loose out on this new place. I think it would be tough to find another like it.
2. Are the few clients I have going to think I'm flakey? My hubby says maybe so. Is going to be starting from scratch all over again?

Its crazy just three days ago I was trying so hard to get my new lease settled and now I feel it was divine intervention. I know this place is large enough for me to do all things I want, thai massage, sports massage etc. I can't even stretch a persons arm in my current work envirnoment. I think it was great as a starter point but I need to move on.

Ideas, thoughts comments please!! and quick especially if you think I am about to do something crazy....

 

[Krista]

Ok, I went through the same thing 3 yrs back. Old place had so many cons, new one had SO many pros! My hubby was afraid of the move, said maybe we couldnt afford it. Im now paying the same rent (400) as you will be. It was the absolute best decision to move! Your clients will NOT think youre flakey. Im sure they will love the new space! YOure miserable now in the room, its hot, and will prob be cold in the winter. Are you really doing your best work being so uncomforatble? ANd why would your current landlord be more worried about giving the NEW tenant "dibs", so to speak? Youre clients will follow. You will get more. YOu will be sending out happy vibes! I say go for it. Just ake sure you market yourself more to cover the extra cost. As far as notice, you do what feels right. When you leave a job, 2 weeks is nice. :} If you feel like more, then do so. Dont let a good opportunity pass you by due to fear of the unknown. Please, please let us know what you decide!!!

 

[Desereh]

I agree with Bodymovers' post 100%. Congratulations on this wonderful opportunity!

 

[mrsd]

I concur with Bodymovers and Blisss, it sounds like an ideal opportunity to me. I think that six months down the road you're going to be sorry if you don't jump on this chance you have to expand your practice now!
You can do it!

 

[Matija N]

I agree - go for it! It sounds wonderful, and your clients will understand why you moved just as soon as they see the new place.

 

[arnikarahman]

Yes, absolutely. Embrace the change, and jump into the next phase of building your practice!

 

[Jessica P]

Yeah, go for it. Having onsite laundry, in office bathroom facilities and a spacious treatment room are all great incentives to move. I wouldn't worry about seeming 'flaky' to your clients, you are upgrading and improving your work environment, your clients will be grateful. Good Luck!

 

[joeyharrington2002]

Your clients will appreciate your nicer working space and surroundings. Some people don't think that's important, but it is. Your clients will appreciate it and you will gain new clients too. The risk is so small!! Do it!!! Don't look back! You will be laughing about it in a year when your client list grows!

 

[alexxandra]

So I really want to move. My questions to you guys:
1. How much notice should I give? I am not under any contract but I don't want to be a jerk. I also don't want to loose out on this new place. I think it would be tough to find another like it.
2. Are the few clients I have going to think I'm flakey? My hubby says maybe so. Is going to be starting from scratch all over again?

I would try to give at least a month or two notice if possible, since you are renting the space.

I think it sounds like a great new opportunity and I don't think your clients will feel you are flakey if you let them know you have found a new space which will have better amenities and room to work in. It is a win-win for you and your clients.

I will tell you that some years ago I moved 3 blocks over and lost a good number of clients because of the traffic flow (-road traffic and where they were coming from. An extra 15 mins. on a drive from 45 mins. away was just too much for some people - and rightfully so. Just something to keep in mind - that you may loose some people in the move.) But, I gained a whole new base of clientele that has been really good to me.

Sounds great. Please let us know when you get settled in!

 

[ZLD]

I will tell you that some years ago I moved 3 blocks over and lost a good number of clients because of the traffic flow (-road traffic and where they were coming from. An extra 15 mins. on a drive from 45 mins. away was just too much for some people - and rightfully so. Just something to keep in mind - that you may loose some people in the move.) But, I gained a whole new base of clientele that has been really good to me.

i'm confused?? it takes your clients an extra 15 minutes to go 3 blocks? hmmmm... that must be a long 3 blocks -

seattlesunshine ~ i say go for it! i agree with everyone else here. your clients will not think you're crazy. i moved about 8 blocks away from my other office about a year ago. my clients love the new space. sounds like it's a better deal all the way around! i'd give 2-4 weeks notice or so. talk to the "new" landlord before hand though and tell him/her when you'd like to move in. set up those arrangements before you tell the other place.

 

[Claire Bear!]

I agree with the rest. Give 2-4 weeks notice, communicate with your new landlord and your clients, and then move on honey. This sounds like a great change for you. Good luck!

 

[CeciMoon]

Thanks everyone for confirming my instincts. Once again, I must say how great it is to have a place like this to come to on these issues. Friends and family are great, but you guys really get where I am coming from. I am working on a nice letter for my current landlord and leaving it as a slightly flexible exit not to exceed one month. I'll keep ya'all informed.
Happy Labor Day weekend and hope you are all enjoying the weekend off and doing something fun in these last days of summer sunshine.

 

[the man]

>>> I was on a three month trial lease at a mini day spa. I have been there since March. >>>>> my rent is 300.00 for a Mon-Fri, >>>> I have been talking to the owner about re-doing the lease. I offered Wed-Fri and every other Sat. However, she is not comitting on giving me the days I want. She wants to leave it open so that the new leasee can be swayed by having a choice too. I offered to just take Sat out of the deal but that wasn't what she had in mind either. I could have it full time but thats 425.00

Is full time Mon-Sat, or 7 days a week? Either way she wants to charge you $125 more for the weekend? She wants you to either take the whole week or take some days that she won't let you have any input in, it depends on what is left after the possible new tennant says what they want?
Under those circumstances, I think 2 weeks is fine, 4 weeks is generous, 2 days is not enough. If the other negotiations weren't going on and you knew where you stood, the longer the better (4+ weeks), but since she is already looking for the possible new tennant, let the possible new tennant have all the flexibility she seems to want to offer the possible new tennant and step away.

Do your clients belong to you, so you could take them, or are they clients of the mini day spa and you aren't meant to inform them you are leaving? If this is not clear, I would get their contact details before you mention you're moving to the owner. It could get messy fairly quickly once you reveal your move.

 

[Wicked Lovely]

I have to add my 2c concerning clients. I have worked @ spas...although I felt as if they WERE my clients, I didnt feel right telling them I was leaving. I did the right thing by not doing so. Karma was good & alot of my clients found me anyway! you move, they will follow!

 

[Rebel]

Yeah they are my clients. Ones from my website or elsewhere. LIke outside chair or party events I have done. I did agree not to work within .05 mile for up to one year. No big deal there. This should not be an issue as its clearly spelled out in my original lease. They are all written up on my intakes etc. I have shared some of the names with spa owner for facial treatments and stuff like that. I previously worked at a spa where the clients where clearly the spas. They brought them in and I did no markeing. In that case even though I had no no compete clause I just said goodbye to some of my faves but didn't try to sway them. One did find me. And one actually asked for a referal in his area that had a similar style. As far as schedule, I am now M-F. She wants to maybe be able to offer a new person a Thursday or Fri if they want it. Mon & Tues are dead dead days. Alot of the small business in the area is not even open on Mondays. I don't care about Sat. as I am lazy on the weekends and would rather do the family thing. So yeah it would be 425 for full full time even if I did no work on weekends to seal the deal. Shes not a bad person. I think she does want to let me have some input on the days I really want, but "thinking" doesn't make me feel on solid ground. Thats why i started looking around at other options. I never dreamed I would find something so perfect for me. Seems a sign to me. I really have been trying to get a committment for at least a month. We left it last at she wants to sit on it and think about whats best for her business. I respect that, but need to do the same for me. I like this person and would not leave her in a lurch. So I will definantly give 2-3 weeks. I would offer more if we had not been working on this so long already and if the new place had not popped up. I am really hoping it doesn't get messy. But I know thats a possibility, though I can't see a reason it should right now. I am hoping to speak to the new landlord tomorrow and get that on solid ground before shaking up my current situation. I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

 

[nostrilburier]

I will tell you that some years ago I moved 3 blocks over and lost a good number of clients because of the traffic flow (-road traffic and where they were coming from. An extra 15 mins. on a drive from 45 mins. away was just too much for some people - and rightfully so. Just something to keep in mind - that you may loose some people in the move.) But, I gained a whole new base of clientele that has been really good to me.

i'm confused?? it takes your clients an extra 15 minutes to go 3 blocks? hmmmm... that must be a long 3 blocks -

Nothing to be confused about. You just need to see the traffic in the area I work in. Especially at lunch and after work. I don't work mornings, due to the traffic at that time can even be worse.

Since I have people come to me from as good as an hour-plus away, that small move of just a few blocks, put extra time on some people's drive. The ones who were coming for 20 mins. easily got bumped up to 35 mins. drive time, depending on what side of town they were coming from --- and so forth (just move the time frame up to an hour and you can see why some people would have to locate another therapist). Of course, there were other people coming from another direction that got time taken off of their drive, as I moved closer to the freeway. Oooh, ahh... they were happy.

We're in a location that is close to a few major freeways and a tollroad, so people can slip right in. But at the same time, a very busy portion of the city, so they can get stuck in traffic. Hard to explain, but not so hard to understand once you've been in the midst of it.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Okay, so I am all moved in. I took a couple days off to get everything switched over and its a good thing I did. Amazing how long it can take to put together one small office! of course I have a list of more things I want to do , but one step at a time. I have my first client at 3 today.

also I definantly did the right thing. The new lease I would have been asked to sign at the other place was much different then the first one. More $, less control over things such as decorations etc. And just really not good for me.
Thanks ya'all for the support

 

[Janet W]

CONGRATS! t023

I'm glad it all is working out so well for you. Sounds like you will have no reason to regret the decision!! t041

 

[LYNND]

Congratulations!! Have fun working this afternoon!

 

[360]

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the new place!