09/ 13/ 2007
Like many entrepreneurs, perhaps you started your small business at home--maybe in a spare bedroom or in the garage, perhaps even in your bare feet. But your business is growing. And that progress means it's time to expand and take that first step into an office space or storefront.
That might be tough for someone who hasn't worn shoes to work in weeks. So what can you do to make the transition from home to office a smooth one?
Here are five tips that might help:
- Bring a little bit of home with you. As you set up your new office space, bring in photos of your spouse, kids and family dog. Place a nice green plant in the corner. Bring in your favorite coffee mug.
- Head home for lunch. If you live close enough and get time to actually take a lunch break now that your business is growing, go to the house for lunch. The family dog will be glad to see you, and taking a break in the familiar environment will help long days at the office not seem quite so long.
- Invest in good office furniture. You shopped long and hard for the nice furniture you have at home. And now that you'll be spending all this new time in the office, why wouldn't you want the same quality in the furniture there? Invest in office furniture that is comfortable, functional and affordable.
- Keep regular hours. When working from home, it is all too easy to extend yourself around the regular 9-5 grind by checking e-mail or placing orders at 11 p.m.--and there will definitely be days as your small business continues to grow, that you'll have to work longer hours. But try to get yourself into a regular schedule. Keep meetings, phone calls and e-mails within your regular business hours.
- Work on balance. Even though you were working from home before, your spouse, kids and family dog probably thought of you as being at home during those hours. They're going to miss you when you transition into a new office space, so keep their growing pains in mind, too. Carve out additional special time to spend with your kids during the week. Schedule a new date night with your spouse. Take the dog on an extra walk each weekend.
The fact that you've outgrown the small corner in the dining room where you once worked is a good thing. Moving into an office building, storefront or warehouse means great possibilities for continued growth in your small business. But there is a period of transition to get through. By planning ahead, striving for balance and embracing the growth, your transition from slippers at home to your first office can be a smooth and successful one.
