- Invest in home office design, such as ergonomic furniture, storage space, adequate lighting, office equipment, and aesthetics, to create a functional workspace.
- Dedicate space for inventory, either near the home or by constructing a room inside the house for storing items.
- Find the right partners for support and guidance, such as accountants, lawyers, consultants/mentors, and logistics experts.
- Maximize productivity while running your company without difficulty by investing in professional design principles and having a reliable team to provide cost-effective solutions.
The number of businesses transitioning to a home-based office setup has steadily increased in recent years. According to the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), as of 2020, more than half of small businesses were being run out of someone’s home. Additionally, recent United States Census Bureau research found that over 20 million individuals operated their businesses out of their residences in 2018. Furthermore, a study by Ipsos Mori revealed that between 2015 and 2019, the number of people working remotely increased by 44%.
These changing work patterns mean many more people will be looking to set up a comfortable and functional workspace at home. While remote employees might find adjusting easy, business owners might not have the same experience. Fortunately, you can perform the following steps to ensure you can run a successful company without needing a commercial establishment.
Invest in Home Office Design
Running a business out of one’s home differs from working remotely for an employee. Firstly, a business owner must have a designated area solely used for work purposes. The space needs to be set up to accommodate different activities and tasks, such as meetings with clients or colleagues. This means not only must the workspace be comfortable, but also it should look professional and well-appointed. Here are a few elements to prioritize:
Ergonomic Furniture
The design of a home office should provide optimal comfort and productivity levels. Therefore, investing in ergonomic office furniture like chairs and desks is highly recommended to avoid back pain or other issues over prolonged sitting at the desk.
Storage Space
There should also be plenty of storage options so that everything can be neatly organized to reduce distractions during work hours. Business owners have to perform a lot of paperwork, so it is essential to make the space organized.
Adequate Lighting
Furthermore, having adequate lighting is extremely important – too much light will cause eyestrain, while too little will make it difficult to read documents or see computer screens. If the sunlight distracts you, installing privacy window films can help block out enough for comfort.
Office Equipment
Business owners are also likely to need more advanced technology solutions than remote employees do. For instance, they may require audio/video conferencing systems for virtual meetings, an extra-large monitor for multitasking, and extra processing power for graphics-heavy applications or presentations.
Aesthetics
Finally, the overall aesthetic of the home office makes a huge difference in both productivity levels and client first impressions. Business owners must create a warm and inviting atmosphere by including artwork on the walls or green plants in the room. Adding comfortable seating areas can also help create an environment conducive to client conversations while providing space for relaxation during breaks from work.
Dedicate Space for Inventory
Unfortunately, your business might require inventory levels that your home cannot accommodate. If that’s the case, you might have to look for a small warehouse or storage unit in your area. It is desirable to have the inventory space close enough to allow easy access and quick delivery time when filling orders.
If you want everything you need for your business in your home, you might have to build a room specifically for storing inventory. However, such an endeavor might be expensive depending on the size of the space you have and the materials required to build it. You can partner with a local builder or hire a contractor to do the job for you.
Find the Right Partners
Starting a business from home requires finding the right partners to support you in your journey. Here are some of the most important ones you should consider:
- Accountant: An accountant can help manage and organize your finances, ensure that all taxes are paid on time, and provide advice on increasing profitability.
- Lawyer: A lawyer can review contracts, advise on potential legal issues, and protect against liabilities.
- Consultants/Mentors: Working with experienced professionals or mentors who understand the struggles of running a business at home can provide invaluable insights into best practices or strategies.
- Logistics Experts: You need someone to handle shipping, delivery, warehousing, and returns – all the elements associated with fulfilling orders. Finding a reliable third-party logistics provider that can provide cost-effective solutions is also essential.
Final Thoughts
Running a business from home requires careful planning and consideration of the design, equipment, and partners needed to make it successful. With the proper setup and team in place, you’ll be able to fully maximize your productivity while running your company without any difficulty. Professionalism is attainable even when working remotely – all it takes is effort and dedication.