Diving into business ownership alone can be both an exciting and nerve-racking experience. Gone are the days of working for another person, having to groggily wake up in the morning hoping you do not run into traffic on the way into the office. Now you call the shots, but with that comes difficult decisions that will impact the future success of your business.
One decision that many solopreneurs tend to overlook is how and where to establish the home base for their business. As a business of one, it can be easy to just say you will work wherever you find fit—maybe the couch one day, the dinner table the next, or a coffee shop. However, where you work matters. Having a dedicated workspace to call your own will help promote productivity and provide you the privacy you need to complete daily tasks.
As your business begins to take shape, be sure to focus on your home office! Here are some reasons why you should invest in a home office as a solopreneur.
An Office Will Make You More Productive
When starting, it can be easy to just work wherever you see fit for the day. This is especially true when you have family living with you, as you tend to just dodge them and work wherever is quietest in the house.
When you do this, you are not giving your business the respect and attention that it deserves. You need to set both mental and physical boundaries when working from home, and a dedicated place to work will do just that.
The next weekend that you have off, choose a room in the house to clear out and dedicate this room as your new office. Make sure that you choose a room that is far enough away from common distractions, but close enough to household amenities such as WiFi and phone connection. Popular spots to put your office are a spare bedroom, a finished basement, or in certain situations, sunrooms, empty closets, or finished backrooms.
This physical separation will help you mentally prepare for work. When you are in this room, your brain will know that it is time to do work and should help you cut down on distractions. This separation will also help your housemates take your business time more seriously and keep them less tempted to interrupt your workflow.
When choosing the room for your office, try to visualize where a desk could reasonably fit, and then go from there.
You Need Space to Meet With Clients
Far too often home office situations are unpleasant for all parties involved, mainly due to the business owner not having a proper meeting place at their home. Do not let this be the case for your business. Prepare now by establishing a functional, yet stylish home office that gives your business a more legitimized feel.
To get started, first visualize where you intend to have your client meetings take place. Most often, they will be in the office room that you dedicated in the house. In here, consider buying adequate seating for guests. A functional arrangement of seating is the best route to take as you may not always be meeting with just one person at a time. Consider investing in a comfortable, yet modern-looking accent chair for your guests to sit at. Next to it, a sofa could be a good option for extra seating.
Besides seating, you will need to decorate the space around your office to emulate that true professional feeling you get at a traditional office. You will need to be creative, as your space is likely much more limited than that at a physical office. Putting up adequate floating shelving will allow you to add some flair to the room, while still maintaining the functionality of the space.
Lastly, on days when you know you have clients coming to the house, try to pre-plan a route for them to take to the office that’s the most direct. Try to spruce up the rest of the house and make the time spent outside of the office space to a minimum. It can be nerve-racking to have a client visit the home, but with the right preparation, it can go smoothly!
If you run into a situation where the only place that you can meet is at your office, you will be thankful that you prepared such a professional and welcoming environment in your home.
Home Offices Provide Security
Most business owners are extremely protective of their business’s documents and financial information. Home offices are already more secure than a physical office as you can constantly monitor anything regarding your business. Nonetheless, with small business crime on the rise, you can never be too careful.
For home-based businesses, you will need to invest in some home cybersecurity measures to ensure that your business remains safe. Luckily, this means that you will be improving the security of your home as well, so it’s a win-win situation.
First, you will want to invest in the overall security and safety of your home. There are a variety of security companies on the market, so be sure to do your research into what company may be the best fit for your needs. When choosing a company, look at the features that their security system offers. Are you looking for cameras? Or just an alarm system? These are all details to iron out beforehand.
Do know that the installation and cost of security can be high, but it will be worth the peace of mind in the long run. If you are worried about upfront costs, consider using a personal loan to give you the funds needed to ensure the safety of your home and business. The funds that you gain from this loan can be used elsewhere in the home office creation phase, so keep that in mind when making purchasing decisions.
Besides exterior security, you should also focus on the actual security of your office. Putting in secure storage, such as filing cabinets, or other lockable cabinets is a good idea. You never know who may visit the home, and being extra cautious is always a good idea.
Your Business Will Remain Flexible
One of the best elements of going with a home office in the early stages of your business is that it keeps overhead costs down and allows you to remain flexible as the business grows.
Most business owners do not have the funds available right away to buy their dream office space. Because of this, owners often will buy an office that is not suitable for their business after only a few years of operation. Starting with a home office will allow you to expand whenever you find it necessary as the benefits of your home office will always be there.
With so many workspace options available today, you may find that having a dedicated office space is something that may never be in the cards for your business. With a home office, you can rent out coworking spaces, while still having a dedicated working place at home. With even more working arrangements coming out each day, the work environment possibilities are endless.
Let’s Get to Work
When you’re ready to put these home office tips into action, your local CORT Furniture Outlet is ready to help with high-quality, low-priced office furniture.
CORT Outlet offers previously-rented matching sets for every size office that are easy on your wallet while being sturdy and sustainable.
Plus, our stylish office furnishings and accents are ready for you to take home the day you buy them — no need to wait days, weeks, or months for delivery! Visit CORT Furniture Outlet online or in-person at your local store, and let us transform your workspace today!
