How to Know Your Home Business Needs an Outside Office

It can be complicated in determining when is the right time to move your home-based business to a separate office space in.  Moving too soon can result in overhead that is outside of the current cash flow ability.  Waiting too long may result in loss of customers or jobs. Operating out of the home can be a big plus for many small business owners. By significantly lowering your overhead expense, you can improve your profit margins in good times and reduce your risks if the business cycle heads down. The advantages of moving out of your home office boil down to increased professionalism, more space to work and unlimited growth potential. Of course, with any advantage come a few disadvantages, but nothing that can't be overcome.

There are a few signs that let you know it's time to go out and look for an office space.  For example:

Interruptions:         

• Dogs barking and family members needing your assistance will not only minimize your productivity but  can be heard on calls and teleconferences. While most understand the demands of juggling business and home life, constant interruptions and background noise are not necessarily helpful when you’re trying to project a professional image.

Outgrown Space: 

• Businesses that need a great deal of space or that need bulky equipment are obvious candidates for outside offices. But some businesses that don't need to be operated from outside offices can benefit from them.  You're struggling to fit the new printer but you're struggling because there just isn’t room between your file cabinet and the queen-sized bed that also sits in your office.   Maybe you do need a larger space that can be devoted just to your business.  Piles of equipment or papers that are interfering with either your work or your family life also send a signal that it’s time to consider an outside office.

Space for Clients:   

• When a big portion of your business involves meeting with clients, you may need more than just the local  coffee shop. When you want to present to a larger group or need a truly professional meeting space, you’ll need to find something a little more appropriate than a café. One option is to rent office space – you’ll get a set amount of hours in an office, along with access to a conference room.

Most  businesses with outside locations tend to be easier to sell and to bring higher prices. For one thing, the new owner doesn't have to scout out a new location and go to the expense of moving; for another, customers and clients are already accustomed to visiting a particular office and can continue to patronize it despite the new ownership.

Some businesses operate most efficiently when they are located close to customers, suppliers, or certain other facilities or businesses. For example, law offices are often located close to the county courthouse, in part to minimize the time spent running back and forth to court. Also, many customers or clients seem to feel that a business with a permanent address other than someone's home is less likely to be a fly-by-night operation, and more likely to be able to deliver on guarantees.

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.