Tips for Creating the Ideal Office for Your Home-Based Business

Guest Author Lance Cody-Valdez, Digital Nomad at free-lance-now.com

There are countless types of businesses that can be run out of a home. So, if you’re thinking about starting a business and you want no commute, fewer office distractions, and more flexibility, using your home as the headquarters might be your best option. With that said, you will need a home office that meets your business needs if you plan to succeed, which means that you will need to spend time and energy on designing your office. Beachside Social Networks is happy to share some practical tips below to help you along the way.

Assess Your Home

The first step in creating the right home office is to evaluate your current home. Is there room to fit your workspace, including all the equipment and storage that comes with it? If not, it might be time to start looking for another home. And when you are searching for a home, it’s essential to determine what you can afford to spend. By reviewing local listings, you can get a better idea of home prices in the areas where you hope to move. Also, make a point to confirm any zoning laws in the locations you consider to ensure home-based businesses are allowed.

Maybe there is enough space in your current home but there are no areas that could currently serve as your office. In this case, renovations might be in order. The most important thing to consider when it comes to a remodel is finding a reputable, reliable contractor who can produce the work you are looking for. While buying a new home or renovating your current one requires a significant investment, it can be well worth it if it helps you achieve your business goals.

Decide Where to Put Your Office

Once you have determined what home you will be using for your business, it’s time to pick a location for your office. Ideally, your office will provide you with ample separation from the main living quarters of your home. For this purpose, the garage, the basement, or an unused bedroom are often the best options.

It’s also important to consider sunshine. Given the many health benefits Feldco notes, and the significant boost in productivity, it’s best to set up your office in a space where natural light can flow through the windows. To ensure you get the most light possible, be sure to have your windows professionally cleaned. A quick search for window washers near me will yield a list of local experts, and you can carefully review their ratings to determine the best company.

Carefully Craft a Layout

Along with choosing a good location, Modsy explains you will need to spend time developing the right layout for your home office. The key here is to design a space that allows for optimal productivity.

Along with setting up your primary workstation near a window, make sure you are giving every inch of space a purpose, whether that means putting storage under your desk or designating a brainstorming station in the corner. It’s important to note here that even empty spaces can serve a purpose because a clutter-free environment does wonders for reducing stress.

Put Everything in Place

When your layout is established, it’s time to put everything in its place. Start with your desk. Try to only keep items on your desk that you will be using regularly throughout each day, such as your computer, printer, or speakers. Look for attractive, efficient storage solutions that serve both as decor and a place to store items away.

Moreover, make sure you have all of the furniture you need. Along with your desk and office chair, you might need to consider additional furniture like armchairs and side tables if you plan on having clients visiting your office.

Finally, whether you’re an established business or looking to start a business in Florida, don’t forget any of the legal details. This includes getting your business license and any necessary permits, registering your LLC with the state, and getting an EIN number. Many small businesses prefer to file as an LLC due to the tax benefits, reduced paperwork, and asset protection it offers.

Designating a sufficient workspace is critical to running a successful home-based business. Consider the tips here for preparing the foundation for the perfect home office. Then, you’ll be ready to finish strong by painting the walls, finding fabulous vintage pieces, putting in additional decor, and making any other enhancements that make the space truly yours.

Image courtesy of Pexels.

Freelancer to Small Business Owner: Steps Professionals Can Take

Guest Author Lance Cody-Valdez, Digital Nomad at free-lance-now.com

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, it may be time to think about launching a small business. As a small business owner, you can hire a team of employees (or freelancers) to work for you — and delegate the tasks you no longer have time for. You’ll continue to set your own hours and be your own boss, but you’ll be given the opportunity to take on extra work and grow your business more quickly.

If small business ownership sounds like the right career move for you, follow these steps to turn your freelance work into a successful small business!

Think (And Act) Like an Entrepreneur

Are you ready to make the switch from freelancer to small business owner? You’ll need to start by shifting your mindset — and taking the time to learn essential business skills such as leadership, accounting, marketing, and sales. And fortunately, it’s easy to build entrepreneurial skills without going back to school to earn a full degree or professional certification.

Here’s how to make it happen:

  • Watch or listen to TED Talks.
  • Read books, including The Lean Startup and Crossing the Chasm.
  • Take free online business courses through edX, Coursera, and Future Learn.

Form a Legal Business Entity

If you’ve been running your freelance business as a sole proprietorship, now is the time to choose a new legal structure and register your business as a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or partnership. You’ll also need to register your business name if you haven’t already done this as a freelancer.

If you need help choosing a legal structure for your company, you may wish to meet with a lawyer or connect with your local Chamber of Commerce. The US Small Business Administration is another great resource for growing a new startup.

Set Up a Home Office

When you’re a small business owner, even if you’re out of the office, you’ll likely still have work that needs to be done, so it’s a good idea to set up a home workspace. Furnish your space with a comfortable chair and desk and make sure you have a dependable headset for those Zoom calls. Try to locate your office away from high-traffic areas of your home. The less noise and distractions there are around you, the more productive you’ll be.

Build an Online Presence

As a freelancer, you may already have an online portfolio of your best work. But when you’re launching a company, you’ll also need a website, blog, and social media presence. Start by building a business website, setting up social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, and publishing blog content pertinent to your business. Then, promote your website online, share blog content on social media, and start building an email list.

Improve Your Knowledge of Cybersecurity

After you’ve worked so hard to turn your freelance career into a real business, the last thing you’ll want is to fall victim to a cyber attack. Social engineering and phishing attacks all-too-commonly affect small businesses, and unfortunately, many small business owners lack the time, money, and knowledge needed to protect themselves and reduce their risk of becoming a victim. Fortunately for you, free online programs and resources can help to improve your knowledge of cybersecurity, train your employees about the importance of cyber safety, and create an effective security plan for your small business. Cybersecurity doesn’t need to cost a fortune, but it’s an expense you won’t want to skimp on.

Assemble Your Team

Once you’re ready to start assembling a team of workers, you can check out websites like Upwork, Toptal, Dice, and Stack Overflow to look for freelancers. Or, check out Nathaniel Koloc’s tips for hiring your first employees as a small business owner.

By following these five steps, you’ll be on your way to turning your freelance business into a successful startup. Just don’t be afraid to stop and ask for help if you need it. After all, one of the things that separate freelancers from small business owners is knowing when to seek help from others!

Photo credit: Unsplash

COVID-19: A Sign to Bide Your Time, or a Moment Worth Seizing?

Guest Author, Chelsea Lamb, Resident Tech Specialist of businesspop.net

Many would-be entrepreneurs have spent the last year dreaming up an idea, or maybe even putting in the early planning work, only to have the pandemic throw the plan off course. However, it’s not as cut and dry as it might seem. For some businesses, it makes good sense to pause plans until the pandemic is under control. For others, however, now is the moment to strike.

It can be difficult to tell which scenario applies to you and your idea.  Just as Beachside Social Networks can help establish and maintain a successful social web presence once your business gets going, we’ve gathered these tips to help you figure out if now’s the time to start:

You’re Mentally Prepared

Many business owners make the mistake of thinking a great idea is all they need to succeed. Although a good idea and some solid luck occasionally works out for people, you’re better served by tipping the scales in your favor. For example, if you don’t have any real business management knowledge, you might decide to earn your MBA before you start. Getting some formal classwork under your belt can empower you to make the strongest decisions further down the line.

You Have the Funds

Next, you should take some time to think about funding. You don’t have to fund your business idea with your personal savings – in fact, ideally, you shouldn’t. Instead, you should seek funding through loans, grants, and financial backers. This empowers you to take on business risk with relatively little personal risk. The ability to pay money back over time (with the profits you make along the way) will keep your personal funds secure in the meanwhile. Plus, interest rates are low right now, so you could land an excellent deal.

Your Idea Suits the Market

The pandemic can easily sink the wrong idea, but CNBC notes the right idea has the chance to thrive right now. Ask yourself: does your business concept solve a problem unique to this moment in history? Does it work virtually, or provide some way to keep people safe and healthy? Can you tweak it so that it does? Businesses that start now have a distinct advantage over businesses that began before the pandemic: you can plan for COVID-19 from the start, rather than make costly adjustments further down the line.

You Have a Contingency Plan

You should never assume failure, but you should always be prepared for the possibility. Ask yourself: what would you do if your business didn’t work? Coping ahead in this way is a powerful tool. If you don’t already have a backup plan, now’s the time to craft one.

Start by considering how you’ll handle the event emotionally. A failed business idea is almost always a heartbreak in some way or another. Plan space for grieving, and give yourself preemptive permission to feel that loss. Next, try to decide where you’d go next. Would you pick up a freelance or contract career? Go back to working for someone else? Dive right into your next project? Imagine what these would look like, and think practically about time commitment and income needs.

You Believe In Your Idea

All of the above plus faith in your concept is a pretty good sign it’s time to start. After all, passion is one of the most important parts of running a business. The hours, the demands, the stress – no one would do it without that spark of belief and excitement. If you’re itching to get started, and your gut says this is the time, embrace that. There’s no risk-free moment to start a business: seize the moment you get.

Connect with Beachside Social Networks for more information, ideas, and connections that keep you in touch and keep you growing.

Photo Credit: Pexels