Did you know, Ford Motor Company, Hershey’s, and Apple all started as super-small home-based businesses? In fact, many great ideas, books, and companies get their start in a small home-based office, kitchen table, or in my case, on the couch with a MacBook Pro in my lap.
Being able to work from home since having my son has been such a blessing. I set my own schedule, have freedom to work in my PJs all day if I want, or say screw it and take the day off. Of course, it's not all sunny skies and rainbows. Being self-employed working from home has its challenges. It takes a huge amount of self-discipline, organization, dedicated work space, and one hell of a work ethic. After all, you're the boss and have to answer to yourself and clients when you fall short.
I really can't say it enough, if you have a dream and are in search of ways that you can turn your fantastic ideas/book into a business, MAKE IT HAPPEN! We only get this one life, why waste it spending eight hours a day working on someone else's dream?
Why wait another day? Spend this weekend making a plan. Take the plunge. Below are 5 Tips to get your home business up and running.
Create a Space
Running a business from your home requires dedicated work space. You will need a space in your home that can be set aside for your office. This place should be quiet and, if possible, closed off from the rest of your home. Trust me, you don’t want to be on the phone with an important client only to have your 2 year old screaming at your feet.
Your business model should dictate the amount of space and location in your home. Will you need to meet with any employees and or clients? Will you be easy for people to find? Is there enough parking? You also might want to look into the local permit and zoning laws. Bottom Line: Make room for your dreams in boh your life and home.
Saving
Plan to start saving money where you can. Create a budget and see if any corners can be cut to allow you to save money for a rainy day; being self-employed those days or weeks can hit hard if not prepared for. You can do this by saving on your utilities if you live in a deregulated state. For example, you can check out Direct Energy business rates and see if you will get better rates for your energy than what you are currently getting. Look for aanyways to cut back.
Cut the Cord
One of the best tips you can get to run a business from home is to not spend all of your time procrastinating on social media, as tempting as it can be. You need to be able to tune out the world and focus on your business nd daily tasks. and spend your time focusing on your goals. Yes, you might be connected all the time, but that doesn’t mean that you also have to be available all the time. Set time aside for you to be nothing but productive. Doesn’t respond to anything but that which is related to work.
Set a Schedule and Stick to It
You might have dreams about all the flexibility that comes with working from home, but if you want your business to become successful, you will need to work to make it that way. I know sucks.
To set a schedule you should think about things like:
- How long each day will you need to get your business off the ground? What is your current schedule? Can you reorganize it? What will you need to make plans around?
- When do you do your best work? Are you a night owl, or do you rise with the sun? When are you the most focused and efficient? Plan to get your work done during the hours in which you are the most productive.
- When are your business partners and customers available? You might do your best work in the middle of the night, but you might need to be in touch with business partners and or customers during daylight hours. This can be difficult.
Accounting is Massively Important
And last, you get many tax benefits for running a business from home. That said, you can still incur penalties for being uncompliant with tax laws and not reporting your income at the right levels. Use tax software and make sure that you enter everything every single day. Either that or work with a tax accountant. SURPRISE, there are Apps for that.
I really can't say enough about following your dreams and being self-employed. I wouldn't want it any other way.
