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.         

         

Want to start your own business but scared of failing?

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.

5 Signs Your Business Needs an Office

Need more space?

Here are some signs that your business may be ready to move out of your home:

• You have frequent face-to-face meetings with clients, but no place to hold them. Not having an actual office can get in the way of creating a well recognized business image if you need to meet with clients frequently. Always asking them to head to Starbucks may not send the right message. Noise (like your kids asking for something) during conference calls can also convey a less-than-professional image.
• You outgrew the space that was dedicated to work only.  If your inventory, equipment or other aspects of your business are spilling out onto your kitchen table, overflowing the garage or otherwise invading your personal space, it may be time to look for an office. Have you taken over your children’s closets? If you have evicted your children from their closets to make room for your products, you need to find a better place to store your merchandise.
• Your home is too noisy or has too many distractions for you to get your work accomplished.  Many home-based business owners struggle to resist the siren call of the fridge, the TV or the phone. Kids or overly friendly neighbors can hurt your focus and cut into your productivity.
• You don’t have a dedicated work space at home.  When company comes over you have to move boxes off chairs in order for them to have a place to sit.   This is a sign that your space problems are becoming critical.
• Your business’s blooming rapidly and you can afford the added expense of an office.

A Commercial Address Required For Some Business Licenses

To run your business legally, there are certain federal and state licenses and permits you will need to obtain in order to conduct your operation.

Virtually every business needs some form of license or permit to operate legally. However, licensing and permit requirements vary depending on the type of business you are operating, where it’s located, and what government rules apply.

You can expect to secure the maximum amount of credit available if you set up your business in a commercial office location. A physical location that is zoned for business speaks volumes for your company and its operation.

If you’re determined about having a commercial address but renting office space is out of the question then you may want to consider the following 3 alternatives:

Commercial Address – There are many leasing companies liken Van Nuys Offices that offer you the ability to have a qualified commercial address for your business for the purpose of only receiving mail and packages.
Virtual Office – A good way of saving money and at the same time still maintaining a professional image is to have a virtual office. A virtual office will give you the right impression at a fraction of the cost of having your own office. With a virtual office you have the ability to run your business out of your own home and at the same time building a professional image for your business.
Dedicated Office – You can obtain a complete turn-key office operation which includes a private office with your own phone, fax, internet, full furnishings, meeting room and much more. Some turn-key offices give you the privacy, security and professionalism of a workplace that is not in an open environment or room-share. You will have your own suite number, own mailbox, and your own phone line. You may choose from one single private office or several offices with many options.

 

Why do people start businesses?

Due to the bad economy and not a lot of jobs out there, people are now taking the opportunity to build a business and develop a clientele.  A lot of individuals take the plunge and take advantage of the many opportunities and resources available when starting your own business.

Starting your own business gives you the opportunity to follow a dream or interest. Pursing a passion as a career by starting a business can increase your motivation to work and overall job satisfaction.

Many people like the idea of not being restricted by the rules and regulations of a job. When you have your own business, you set your own hours and come and go as you please. Initially, many owners may need to work more hours per day than a standard job. But when the business is established, they may be able to take time off and hire help to run the business.

To better understand why people start their own business, we asked many new business owners what motivated them to start it.

69% Of them answered "Be my own boss"
20% Of them answered "Follow a dream"
11% Of them answered "For Financial Stability"

It's interesting that the desire not to have a boss is the primary motivator of entrepreneurs because "being one's own boss" appears to be the prime source of entrepreneurs' job satisfaction.