Many small businesses today start at home. With the rise of online shopping and the ability to manage a small store from your bedroom, there are many entrepreneurs out there today that have gotten their start at home.
If you manage to make it, however, that setup won’t stay sustainable. You’ll eventually need more space, more stock, and more employees. Your home isn’t large enough, and you shouldn’t give up your living space for your business.
There will come a time in every growing small business when you will want to expand out of your home and into your first workspace. There are many options out there, and with these top tips, you’ll be able to find the perfect option for your needs and budget.
Understand Your Needs but be Realistic
It’s an exciting time to be transitioning your business out of the home and into its first official location. Even if your store is closed to the public, and even if you are still the only employee, this is a huge step. It is also one that is likely going to be out of your comfort zone.
In order to get the most out of the experience, you obviously need to find somewhere that meets all your needs. For example, this could be an entire studio space or two-floor office and warehouse space. Start with understanding your business and what space you would need to be able to function as needed. It is important, though, as you think about your requirements, that you are realistic. You may want a whole studio space but can only afford to rent a space for a few hours a day or a day a week to start. No matter where you are in your journey, however, you deserve the space you need, which can become a long-term goal.
To find a space right now, you will need to do two things. Start by working out your budget. Once you have that, you can then go on to step two: prioritize your needs.
You probably won’t initially be able to find a space within your budget that ticks everything on your list just yet, which is why it is important to prioritize them. At the top of that list should always be the essentials. If you want to upscale your production line, then you need office space that has plenty of storage, for example.
Your needs will differ from others, but by prioritizing the list in order of importance, you can streamline your search.
Look for Monthly Contracts
It can be terrifying to grow your business, especially when you consider just how much your operating costs are going to increase when you do. With the economy in flux, there is no guarantee that you will continue to do well, or, on the bright side, you may do so well that you’ll need to upgrade before you know it.
In both situations having a workspace that operates based on monthly contracts is a great idea. You can rent studio spaces in Manchester, for example, and get all the great amenities on a rolling contract that puts you in control. Need to scale back for a bit? Easy. Need to expand? Do it. With the flexibility of a rolling contract, you are in charge, and you can always adapt your workspace to suit the ever-changing demands that businesses face today.
Tips for Saving on Furniture and Equipment
Every office space, unless it comes fully equipped, is going to need at least some equipment. This might be your specialist tools, or it may be computers, phones, and so on. If you need to buy something specifically for your new space and cannot just relocate it from home, check the second-hand market first. Similarly, you may be able to save by renting to start with until your finances support you buying the tool or piece of equipment outright.
Setting it Up Right the First Time
One thing that can easily get lost in the transition from your home to your first office is your sense of organization. It is, after all, a whole new space, and that space will be different from your previous one. In addition, you are likely looking to expand operations and get more people working for you eventually, and you have a few challenges.
To avoid many of these challenges, you will want to create an organizational system, including how you are going to set up your workflow from the start. Create a master document if you need it, so you stay consistent, and find a software management program that suits your business type to take it from there, and you’ll be well on your way to opening a great new location for your business!
