A Virtual Office

Is it a good time to start my own business?

People always wonder if this is a good time to start their own business. The fact is, there's really never a bad time to launch a business. It's obvious why it's smart to launch in strong economic times. People have money and are looking for ways to spend it. But launching in tough or uncertain economic times can be just as smart. If you do some research and there's a high need for the business you're starting. Because many people are reluctant to launch in tough times, your new business has a better chance of getting noticed. And, depending on your idea, in a down economy there is often equipment (or even entire businesses!) for sale at bargain prices.

When you start a small business you face lots of challenges. In order to improve your chances of beating the odds, what is important is that you educate yourself about business development. Starting and running a business, or any form of self-employment, requires a range of skills and attitudes. It can be very demanding.

It’s important that you understand all the responsibilities you’ll have, and as many of the foreseeable challenges as you can. On the other hand, it’s also important to recognize the rewards of working for yourself and providing a quality product or a needed service to your customers and the community.

Working from home might seem to be cheaper than leasing or renting an office space, but in the current climate with lots of property available, office space rental isn’t the costly exercise you might think it to be. In fact, thanks to the recession, many landlords are simply eager to lease out their dead office space, and so as a result, prices are actually more competitive than ever.

You’ll be surprised at how cost effective this option can be and the extra benefit with renting an office space from Van Nuys Offices with one of their short-term contracts  It also allows convenience and flexibility, which are both essential things when a business is in its fledgling state. Shop around, take a look at the deals – it could be the best thing you’ve done to date.

How to Save Money When Renting Office Space

There comes a time when that basement or spare bedroom you’ve converted into an office just doesn’t cut it anymore. You need a real office space — a place where you can meet clients without your small toddler crying in the background, a place where your filing cabinet doesn’t double as a table for the microwave.

And unless your business is picking up pretty good then you probably don't have that extra money to rent an office space.  However, there are a few things you can do to help you save money without feeling like you’re cutting too many corners.  Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. DO THE LEGWORK YOURSELFHiring the help of an agent may seem like the correct thing to do.  But hiring an agent means there's going to be fees to pay. So in order to save some money you might want to go solo on your office search. You'll find it easier to find the perfect space, after all you're the one who knows more about your business.

2. HOW MUCH SPACE DO I NEED? Before you go out looking for an office space, you need to stop and calculate how much space you will need.  You don’t want to end up renting a 10,000 square feet office when you only really needed 7,000 square feet.  Which would mean you will be paying every month for an extra 3,000 square feet of office that you don’t really need and aren't really using.

3. FURNISHING THE OFFICEWith the great list of used and refurbished office furniture available today, purchasing new is most often a waste of money.  Don't go buying new furniture when there is many thrift shops or classified ads that have office furniture that is in very good condition and for a very good price.

4. PREMISES TO MATCH YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESSDon't underestimate the value of appearances. How your office looks can have a huge impact on business & investor relations so it is crucial that the premises you choose match with the image you want for your business.

5. NOT CONSIDERING FUTURE NEEDSRenting office space can be risky because it may be difficult to predict your future business needs. Renting the proper amount of space, in a location that suits the business, is sometimes a great risk you will be taking. The property owner does not share in your risk-taking, and it won’t be the landlord's problem if the office turns out not to suit your needs. If you signed a contract, it’s your space until the lease terminates.         

         

Moving Your Home Business to an Office

The decision to relocate has to be made with specific regard to the future of the business. It needs precise planning and research, the establishment needs to be faultless and the owner needs to be sure that relocating is the answer for his/her business future. Once you have made the decision to move your home business to an office, you have some planning to do.

The advantages of moving out of your home office comes down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential.  And less much less distraction. Renting a small office at a good price can be very meaningful.

The first decision you make when you have already decided to rent an office, should be your desired location. It’s usually a good idea to start looking at offices near your house to avoid a long commute. Of course, while this is the ideal option, it may not work out perfectly when you consider other details that greatly affect your business.  You need to make sure the new location reaches your target audience, so do some research of the surrounding area to find out who lives near the building you are considering. Try giving Van Nuys Offices a call, they have small offices for short terms and for only $195 a month. 

Second thing you should consider highly is making sure that all your office furniture, including desks, filing cabinets, and bookshelves, will fit into the new office space. Make sure you leave room for expansion, especially if you plan to hire a few employees soon. Also, consider where customers will sit when they come into the office.  Draw a layout, measure your furniture and move your furniture around so that you can get an idea of how much square footage you will need.

Last thing after you have found your perfect office, you signed a lease, and now you're ready to start running your business from the office.  DON'T  FORGET to update your address on all your licenses, bank account, vendor accounts, post office, and all your stationary.  If you regularly get inventory shipments, you need to let the distributor know your company’s new address ahead of time. This can prevent you from having to move merchandise shortly after it is dropped off at your house, so be sure to update your business address. You will have to do the same for your mail and any marketing materials that feature your current address.

Renting a Small Office

Renting an office space might seem like a luxury for a freelancer or an entrepreneur. But some freelancers say that renting a separate space is not only affordable, but also helps them do their job better — and, in the process, make more money. Because of the peace and tranquility you will have, it will allow you to focus more on your job and get more things done.

Not everyone gets distracted by every little thing, so distractions may not be an issue. In the event of annoying relatives, a rented office space might be something you should consider. Remember no two businesses are alike, just like no two owners are alike.

Consider taking your business to the next level. What do you have to lose? At Van Nuys Offices we are very flexible with our contracts because we know how hard it is at the beginning when you start your business. Therefore if you rent a small space from Van Nuys Offices and three months down the line you feel your business didn’t quite pick up. No Problem! We allow you to move out or move into a smaller space. Give us a call today so we can help you get into that office your business really needs. Or send us a message today!