You’ve decided you want to run your own business from home. You’re probably looking forward to running a nice and rewarding business, but you’re also a little nervous about the idea. There is much to think about and much to do. In this, the first in a series on running your home business, let’s explore the options for where you’ll work.
This may seem like a very strange question, but determining your “work environment” at home largely depends on the type of business you run. If your business is home-based, but the practicalities of the job take place elsewhere (for example, if you’re a plumber or electrician), then your needs will be different from someone running, say, a business. massage from home. . However, one massage therapist may provide their services in the comfort of their clients’ homes, while another will serve their clients in a specific room in the home. As you can see, there are different needs and requirements.
So there are a number of things you need to consider in terms of space. Will you work from home or at home? Working from home doesn’t necessarily mean you need less space. Our plumber, for example, will need secure storage space for tools, materials, and probably a vehicle, while a freelance writer will just need a table or desk for their laptop.
Do you need storage space for some equipment you need to run your business? We have established that our plumber will probably need space for his tools, but perhaps, with a lot of planning ahead, there is no need for additional space to store materials. However, bringing home a faucet or two at the end of the day is one thing, but your family may not be happy trying to avoid tripping over copper pipes in the kitchen!
If you need to see clients at home, where will you meet them? Appearances, as they say, are very important and if you’re trying to sell yourself a big deal, doing it on the kitchen table may not be ideal. On the other hand, a potential client, suitably impressed with the testimonials of the service you offer, may also be impressed that you are running a successful business from home within such a discreet environment. As they say in the financial industry, “know your customer,” and we discuss it in the article, “Running Your Business From Home – Know Your Customer.”
If you provide a service to clients that require an element of privacy (as in our earlier example of a massage therapist), you will definitely need a room designated solely for work. Having your youngest child wander off to watch their favorite cartoon on TV while you massage your customer’s tense muscles is definitely not good for your customer or your business!
Having identified your space requirements, you now need to match them with what is available in your home. Do you live in a one-story or two-story house? Does the property have a basement or a loft? Do you have a garage or outbuildings with the property? All of these can be used as your home workplace. However, check local regulations regarding the use of residential properties for commercial purposes.
There is one final but very important consideration when deciding where you will work in your home. Remember that if you have a family, you will need their support and understanding because even though you will be running your home business in your home, it will always be their home for them.
