If you are like most entrepreneurs, you probably started out by carving out some space in a corner of your home. But like all living things, eventually, it will grow and will need a home of its own.
There are so many benefits to having a home-based business – you save money on lease expenses, there’s no commute, you can write off some of your home expenses on your income tax, and let’s not forget that you don’t ever really have to get dressed. All things considered, it’s a pretty good setup.
But how will you know when it’s time?
Thankfully, there are a few clear signs that will indicate that it’s time to move your home-based business into an office. Here are a few:
1. You need to hire staff
Needing more people to run your company is a good thing! For the first few years, you may have been able to get by with a virtual assistant and a few freelancers, but there comes a time that you need dedicated staff who will focus their efforts 100 percent on your brand. The trouble is, where are you going to put them if you’re still working out of your home?
2. You need to focus
Kids, pets, partners, neighbors, the mailman … all necessary parts of life but clearly, they are distractions you can’t afford if you are trying to get your business to the next level. Being in a dedicated office allows you to get down to business without worrying about letting the dog back in or timing your meetings to be over before the kids are home from school.
3. You have customers
Most companies can benefit from having a physical location. It tells your customers you are serious about what you do and that you’re not going to disappear overnight. Plus, you stand to increase your visibility in the community, simply by making yourself a part of it.
4. You want your house back
You might be okay with taking over more and more square footage in your house but, if you’re married, if you have children, or if you have any kind of a life at all outside of work, there will come a time when you’ll need to reclaim some of that space. If there are no places in your home that you can look where some part of your business has taken over, take that as a sign that it’s time to move.
5. You need to build some momentum
If you feel like things are becoming a bit stagnant, a change of scenery always helps. A new location that is designed to help you focus on your work may be just the thing to boost your productivity to new heights.
In conclusion, there will come a time when moving your home-based business into an office is absolutely necessary. If your business is growing, you will no doubt see the signs.
My Annapolis Office serves entrepreneurs and small businesses with flexible, affordable, professional office solutions. Drop by for a tour today, we’d love to learn more about who you are and what you do.