Working from Home
Who hasn't dreamed about working from home? No commute. Work when you want. No dress code. No time clocks. Ideal, right? But while working from home may solve many of the work day problems associated with office life, it can create many more. Working from home successfully is — like running your own business — a balancing act.
Lots of small businesses get their start in the kitchen, the garage, the living room, wherever you can fit a desk. Many small businesses grow out of a side venture or ancillary home-based activity — catering, writing and editing, party planning, personal shopping, toy making and software development. As these businesses grow, you may need to decide if working from home for the long haul is right for you.
Take some time to make a realistic assessment of your business and personal needs. Do you have the space to accommodate your office needs? Do you have or can you acquire the equipment? Is your business organized so that you can clearly separate time working from time off? Will the other occupants of your home be able to live freely and comfortably if your workspace is in the home? Are you a focused worker who can set aside distractions? Most importantly, do you have an exit strategy if your business grows too big for the garage or if working from home turns out to nenot what you had hoped?
There are support groups, classes and Web sites that can help you do everything from evaluate your personal affinity for home-based work to helping you decide what you'll need to set up an efficient home office. The Microsoft Office Web site offers support and tips on working from home, http://office.microsoft.com.
Support sites such as http://work-at-home.org/, http://hbwm.com, and www.powerhomebiz, offer efficiency strategies, motivation, how-to's and valuable ways to avoid the typical work from home pitfalls. Check your local community college for adult learning classes on how to operate a home-based business.
Finding the Space that Best Suits You
Where shall I set up shop? What an exciting decision to have to make. This means your business is becoming a reality, so much so that you need to find a base of operations. Whether your search for a space represents your very first place or the fact that your business has outgrown its current digs, it is a good idea to put some long-term thought into acquiring a space. No one likes to move. It's time consuming and fraught with stressful details. So try to choose a space that will see your business through a generous chunk of time.
Your business plan can help you take stock of projected growth. If you think you will be adding employees in the near future, be sure to look for a space that can grow with you. Don't neglect the dictates of your industry. You don't want to position yourself too far from your suppliers and/or clients if at all possible. Will you be meeting with clients or working on your own? Will you need support personnel or a specialty area, such as a commercial kitchen or salon? Make sure the space you choose fits your business plan in every possible way.
Retail space has many considerations. You need to take into consideration your clientele, positioning, juxtaposition to competing, and complementary businesses, rental costs, storage needs, and curb appeal. Things to consider when choosing an office space include comfort, flexibility and efficiency,
Some businesses find that renting in an executive suite or business center facility is the best way to go. These are offices positioned within a complex that offers business services to the varied tenants, all of whom have access to a reception area, conference rooms, mail service, secretarial services, IT services, and other amenities.
If all you need is a place to work without the noise and distraction of a home office, be sure to think about the neighborhood and proximity to your home. Get creative when looking for that perfect spot. A friend's granny flat or guest house could be converted to a small, efficient office. Think about renting a space in a convenient office complex, or sharing an office or workspace with a fellow professional.
Once you've narrowed down what kind of space you are looking for, consult a real estate agent or small business consultant. Start with the local Small Business Administration, http://www.sba.org%20/. Look into small business Web sites, such as http://www.allbusiness.com%20/, http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com%20/, http://www.startupbizcast.com%20/, and http://www.busi-nesstown.com%20/.
