The Phone Call Every Business Owner Dreads
Same $2,500 monthly payment. Opposite Results.
Maryjane’s voice was shaking.
“Paige, my landlord just told me I have four months to find a new space for my wellness practice. He’s selling to a developer.”
Just like that – ten years of stability vanished.
Four months. Ten years in the same location. Every patient knew exactly where to find her. Now? She’s starting over—no leverage, no backup plan, and the added pressure of staying close enough to keep her client base intact.
The Crisis That Revealed Everything
“I need your help finding space,” Maryjane said. “I have no idea what’s out there or what I can afford.”
She’d been so focused on growing her practice, she’d never thought about her space as anything but a monthly expense.
Until it was being taken away.
“Maryjane,” I said gently, “what’s your current rent?”
“$2,500 a month. Why?”
“Let’s do the math and see how much rent you’ve paid over the past ten years.”
I ran the numbers.
“Wow,” I said. “With 3% annual escalators, that is almost $344,000”
$344,000 paid.
Zero equity earned.
Zero control gained.
The Question That Changed Her Perspective
“What if I told you your $2,500 monthly payment could actually buy you something?”
“Paige, I can’t afford to buy. I don’t have money for a huge down payment.”
This is what every tenant believes. It’s what landlords count on you believing.
“Maryjane, you’ve already proven your business can afford $2,500 a month. You’ve been making those payments for ten years. The question isn’t whether you can afford to buy—it’s whether you can afford to keep leasing.”
The Pivot That Changed Everything
After exploring lease options—where small offices with the right zoning that allows a medical use were scarce—I pivoted to a different idea:
“There’s a 1,400 square foot office condo available. Almost double your current space. The monthly mortgage payment would be about $2,500.”
“Wait... the same as my rent?”
“The same as your rent. Except this time, every payment builds YOUR wealth, not your landlord’s.”
The Three-Year Difference
Maryjane bought that property.
Not because she felt ready. Not because the timing was perfect. Not because she had a master plan. She made the move because a crisis forced her to see what was always possible.
Three years later, while her former building neighbors continue paying rent with nothing to show for it, Maryjane had built something remarkable.
The same $2,500 monthly payment. Completely different outcome.
Her former neighbors? They’ve now spent over $100,000 —with nothing to show for it.
Their equity built? Zero.
Their control gained? Zero.
Their wealth created? None.
Maryjane?
Equity built: Accumulating monthly.
Control: Complete.
Wealth: Steadily growing.
The Truth Your Landlord Prays You Never Discover
Here’s what landlords know that they hope you never figure out:
Every mortgage payment builds equity. Every lease payment builds your landlord’s.
They need you to believe you’re “not ready” because their entire business model depends on you never doing this math:
Renting for 10 years at $2,500/month:
Total paid: $344,000+
Equity built: $0
Assets owned: 0
Control over your future: None
Owning for 10 years with the same payment:
Total paid: $344,000
Equity built: Meaningful
Assets owned: 1
Control over your future: Complete
Same money. Opposite outcomes.
Why “Waiting Until You’re Ready” Is the Most Expensive Lie
“I’ll buy when I can afford it.” “I’ll buy when I have a down payment ready to go.” “I’ll buy when the timing is better.”
Every month you wait, you help build your landlord’s equity — not your own.
And while not all of that $2,500 would become equity, ownership turns enough of it into something that grows— and something that’s yours.
Maryjane almost waited too long. It took a crisis to force her hand. Don’t wait for your crisis.
The Two Principles That Separate Owners From Eternal Tenants
After three years of ownership, Maryjane understood two things that owners learn:
Control over YOUR future has a value you can’t calculate - No more anxiety about lease renewals or surprise notices.
As time moves on, market appreciation builds YOUR wealth – not your landlord’s. You’re no longer paying into your landlord’s retirement fund.
Maryjane’s entire perspective on what’s possible changed. She’s living proof that business owners don’t have to be at their landlord’s mercy. Because once you experience the power of ownership, you want every woman you know to have it too.
Once you own one property, the next becomes achievable, not intimidating. Once you see equity building, renting becomes unthinkable.
Your Landlord Is Betting Against You
They’re counting on you believing:
You need massive savings to start (you don’t)
Ownership is for industry insiders (it isn’t)
Leasing is “safer” (it’s not)
You should wait until you’re ready (you’re ready now)
They need you to believe this because once you know your numbers, you know your power.
And that power transforms everything.
The Question You Must Answer
Before you pay next month’s rent, answer this:
Who is your $2,500 building wealth for—you or them?
Maryjane’s crisis forced her to answer.
Three years later, she owns a thriving practice in a space no one can take away.
That panic-filled phone call? It was the push she needed to stop building someone else’s empire and start building her own.
Don’t wait for your crisis. Make your move now.
When you know your numbers, you know your power.
Ready to see Maryjane’s complete transformation? In Wise Moves Issue 2, I reveal:
The exact equity she built in just 3 years
What she does now that she’s outgrowing her space (hint: she’s not stuck)
Your next Wise Moves to move closer to ownership.
Ready to uncover your down payment? You’re closer than you think.
Inside my free guide, “Closer Than You Think: 5 Ways to Find the Cash for Your Commercial Property Down Payment,” you’ll discover overlooked capital sources you likely already have—no guesswork, no overwhelm.
Whether you’re facing your own renewal crisis or simply tired of transferring wealth to your landlord—this is the conversation that changes everything.
Be Bold. Be VentureWise.
Your move.
Paige 💛
Trusted by women entrepreneurs and CRE professionals closing seven- and eight-figure deals.
About Your Advisor, Paige:
Paige Coker Heiman, CCIM, helps women entrepreneurs use commercial real estate to build lasting financial security and the peace of mind to handle life. With $750M+ in deals and 30+ years of experience, she delivers proven strategies for stability, growth and freedom.
Where financial security meets peace of mind.🏦💛
Real advisory guidance. Real results.