The business world is moving to decentralize as technology continues to advance. Today, many entrepreneurs are choosing to forgo a brick-and-mortar location and use their home as their office instead. Thankfully, there are many types of businesses that do not need to have a commercial space to thrive. And, with a bit of creative reorganization, a few smart decisions in the beginning, and the right mindset, you can start your new career, no commute required.
Today’s blog offers up some quick tips on how to get started if you think you are ready to live and work in the place you call home.
Best Home-Based Businesses
For the most part, you can run any business from home that could also be operated from a commercial office space. This includes graphic design, copywriting, and even electronics repair. There is no single answer for everyone, and your individual experiences and professional background will likely play a significant role in the type of business you choose.
Preemptive Professionalism
Before you get started, there are a few steps that you want to take that will help you present your home-based business as professionally as possible. The goal is to be a tiny enterprise without looking like one.
Start by investing time and money in your online presence. OuterBox, a web design and e-commerce services provider, explains that your site might cost anywhere from $20,000 to more than $200,000. Cost depends on your design, whether or not you need data imported, and the functionality available to your clients.
Another smart choice early on is to learn how to run your books from your phone, whether you have an iPhone or an Android device. If you are not already using a payroll app, now is the time to look for one. Not only will this make your accountant’s job that much easier since your software will automatically schedule payroll and figure out your tax withholdings, it will also make your employees happy by ensuring you never miss a same-day direct deposit.
The Journey Begins
If you have yet to quit your job to launch your own business, you might want to wait a minute. Before you resign, try to save at least eight months’ worth of expenses. This will give you a buffer of cash you can live off before you start turning a profit. Remember, you can always start your business part-time before you make it your full-time income source.
Another important step is to research your niche market. This means that you can identify a specific demographic of potential buyers and can refine your service offering to be more appealing to those people. CC Marketing Online asserts that identifying your niche can help you stand out over the competition. This makes it more likely for you to attract buyers who are able and eager to spend money on what you have to offer.
Your home office or workspace deserves your attention next. Make sure the place you will spend your 40-plus hours per week working in, is comfortable, quiet, and doesn’t interfere with your home life. While a corner of your bedroom may suffice in the beginning, you will want to make sure that you aren’t disturbing the rest of your family and that they can’t disturb you while you work.
Living and working in the same space takes planning. From the initial investment of designing a professional website to knowing where, exactly, your office will be located inside your home, every decision you make now matters. Remember, your success is no longer up to someone else, so proceed with cautious enthusiasm and know that being an entrepreneur is the best way to live life according to your own narrative.
Sunshine Valley Accounting can help entrepreneurs with business taxes, personal taxes, payroll, and government forms.
Image via Pexels
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