Home is Where the Heart is. Setting Up a Business from Home
We have seen a rise in people setting up businesses during the pandemic. However, where to set up ‘shop’ has become a critical issue because we have seen the effect that the lockdowns have had on non-essential retail and the hospitality sector. So, even if you go down the traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ route you still need to have some sort of e-commerce presence.
However, what has been interesting to note is that the ‘work from home’ message during the pandemic has led some people and families to move to the suburbs, countryside or near the sea. With organisations re-thinking where and how people work being in a commutable distance of ‘the office’ is no longer a requirement. With a laptop and good Wi-Fi people can work from anywhere.
Therefore, if you are thinking about setting up a business would a ‘home-based’ business be the way forward in the ‘new normal’. If so, what are the 4S’s that you need to consider:
1. Skills: What skills do you have that will enable you to provide products or services from home and online? For example, teaching, coaching, consulting, content creator, marketing.
2. Season: The season of life that you are in will need to be factored in. For example, if you are young and living in shared accommodation, have a child about to start primary/secondary school or have ageing parents a move may be on the cards. Therefore, setting up your business to be location free; and looking for accommodation that can accommodate your business is something to consider.
3. Systems: Good Wi-Fi connectivity and speed is a given but what about the systems you will need to able to deliver your product or service. By breaking down the operational process from order to delivery, you will be able to identify the people that you will need virtually to support you at any given stage and the type of processes to collaborate e.g., Trello, Base Camp, Zoom, Teams, Google Hangouts, Google Drive, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft One Drive and SharePoint
4. Space: Where will you set up office at home? In a study, spare bedroom, garden room, garage etc. If you have stock where will you store it? Knowing where and how you will work from home helps you and your family to get into routine and respect the boundaries and space needed for you to work and deliver your product or service.
Want to know more?
Read Simply Business’s article *How to start a home business: a guide to starting a business from home* here
Thinking about starting a side business?
The Business of Life is part of the 3Cs Digital brand whose vision and mission it is to inspire and empower women to start and grow successful small businesses with confidence.
As well as the blog, The Business of Life is developing an online coaching programme called *5 Steps into Entrepreneurship: Side Business Start Up Success* for women over 40.
So, if you are a looking to diversify your work portfolio and income stream; and create more freedom, flexibility and financial income so that you are empowered to live a life full of passion, purpose and prosperity book a free 30-minute coaching call to find out how to start your side business from the comfort of your own home.
Have a business already? Need support in starting and developing it online?
3Cs Digital is a web marketing service dedicated to helping women in business set up and develop their online presence. Through coaching or consultancy services in web design, copywriting and social media marketing 3Cs Digital equips women in business with the digital knowledge and skills to: create and design websites, find their brand voice and curate social media posts to attract their ideal customers to their small business website.