 Just the other day I was reading yet another article about how to set up a business in your home. With all of the "re-engineering" that has been going around in the last few years, there seems to have been a resurgence of books, articles and experts that address the "new" home office. Without a doubt, the modern computer, and its' associated peripherals, have allowed a surprising number of individuals to forego rented office space and set-up their business in their homes. Everyone gives them advice. "You can deduct it" seems to be the most popular advice, usually given by the same childless individuals that told you how to raise your kids.
They like to tell you that all you need is a small corner of a room, (thereby making the room non-deductible), and an extra phone line. Coupled with just a few pieces of equipment and a contact or two, the freedom of "working at home" is yours.
Try again!
Don't get me wrong, that might work for some people. There is no way that you are going to start a business on the road to success unless you have the opportunity to mingle. The buzz word for mingle seems to be "network" but we'll talk about that later. There has to be a minimum level of personal, face-to-face, interaction with other adult, working, human beings. If your business is solitary by nature, such as writing a novel, or writing computer programs, it might work for you. Many businesses are offering the option for at least part-time work from home, but that is for an employee of an existing company. Don't forget, your idea is to start/run a business from home, not be a part of someone else's.
Just a few months ago, an acquaintance who, before the fall of the wall ran a successful 80+ person engineering company that specialized in defense contracts, found the company had grown down to just himself and a couple of part-timers finishing off the final contract. Since it isn't an easy task to re-grow a specialized engineering firm, he decided to quit carrying the overhead of rented offices, and moved the operation to his home. The attached garage became the library, the family room is his office, a portion of the laundry room is the copy and mail room, with the powder room adjacent to family room serving as the coffee room. Todays PC software and hardware lets him do 100% of his work at computer anyway, so why does he need more? People, that's why. He calls me every single day, just to talk. Just to argue about the political state of affairs. To complain about the clients. To ask questions about state of technology. The man is going bonkers.
Of course, at the other end of the spectrum is the consultant that needs access to only 120v 60hz power, (or a converter), and a telephone line. The access to power is optional, as is the phone line. The power is used only to recharge the batteries at night and the phone line is needed only when outside the range of current cellular networks. Since clients are interested in being able to contact you anywhere, anytime, a phone is required. A laptop or notebook computer with either a built-in or very portable printer and a fax/modem of a speed that is in concert with your ability to pay the telephone charges, is all one really needs. Oops! I almost forgot the people part.
From what I understand, most of the desirable Caribbean islands that have both electrical power and telephones, also have people...
...warm sandy beaches...
...tropical breezes...
...inspiration...
Conclusion:
Think about it!
Are you thinking about downsizing?
Are you worried about the people who are suggesting who should go and who should stay?
You probably need some help.
Contact I S E E as soon as possible.
We can help!
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