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A Home Based Business and the Essentials of a Home Office

Since Cocid 19 we have had the luxury of working out of our home. When speaking to clients on Zoom or on a conference call many of us are wearing PJ's and slippers. Although  clients do not know what we are wearing working from home, it is important that we are committed to professionalism.

Here are some easy steps to set up a professional home office.

• Legalize it, check with local zoning to learn about the zoning regulations in your      area. Your business may require permits, licenses.
• Working from home takes a lot of discipline. Separate work time from home time. Set the hours for your workday and try to stick to them. 
• Create a professional Image. especially on zoom and consider a virtual background with your logo and company image. Rent a post      office box, UPS store box and use that address instead of your home address on business cards and contact information. Have a phone lines for the business with a professional voice mail message,
• Create a “real office” Design your workspace according to your work style. Make it quiet, comfortable and      organized. Place what you use most, close to you. Make sure you have plenty of space for files, forms and reference materials. Create a work space that helps you      concentrate. Determine a space that works best for you in an environment that you can work in.
• Prepare a daily “to do” list. Think about all the things that need to get done. This will help you set priorities, and allocate appropriate amounts of time for short and long term projects. The things that do not get done that day can be carried to the next day. 
• Stay in touch with  contacts.  Don’t become isolated in your home business. One of the benefits to working in a corporation is the team work and supportive structure. But you can achieve this on your own by making an extra effort to meet people that can provide business support by      joining a trade association, chamber of commerce and local professional      associations where you can network and get leads.  Clients will refer clients to you, make an effort to get involved in the community so that people know you and what you do.
•  It is important to keep      records of all work related expenses. Keep them separate from your personal expenses in a separate bank account and credit card. Contact your Accountant to help you set up your books and advise you on the percentage of your home expenses that can be written off as a      business expense. Always document      your business expenses by keeping excellent records so that you can claim all the deductions.
• Discipline yourself. With so many distractions at home you need to be strictly disciplined to get any work done. Allocate hours that you work and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do if you worked away from home. Take breaks regularly. Think as a business person and focus on your business to reap the greatest success.  

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