Moving to a new house can be an exciting, fulfilling time, especially if you’re an entrepreneur with a home-based business to get off the ground. While it may seem like an overwhelming task to move and start a company at the same time, doing so can be beneficial if your current home doesn’t provide enough space or the right resources for your success. Fortunately, following a few simple steps can help you to be successful at both. CEO Medium shows you how.
Get a New Place
Anyone who has ever bought a house knows that the process can be time-consuming and stressful. But for those who are also running a business from home, the stakes are even higher. Not only do you need to find a property that meets your business needs, but you also need to make sure that it is in a good location and within your budget.
The Economic Development Collaborative suggests writing down some realistic goals and what you need to achieve them; for instance, if your business is based on handmade items, you’ll need a safe, possibly climate-controlled space to store materials and inventory. Working with a realtor who is familiar with businesses can be a huge help in the search for the perfect property. They will know what to look for in terms of zoning. They can also provide helpful advice on financing and negotiating the purchase price.
Get Legit
Home-based entrepreneurs often face several challenges as they’re trying to get their business up and running, including conveying credibility to their customers. One simple way to add legitimacy to your ideas and give your customers peace of mind is to form a limited liability company (LLC), which is a widely-accepted business structure that provides tax benefits and flexibility. Not only that, it creates less paperwork for you than a corporation would, meaning you can stay organized as you make the move to a new home. The rules for formation are different from state to state, so read up on how to create an LLC for your state and use a formation service to file the forms in order to save money.
Prepare for Your Move
Forming an LLC is a great way to structure your business and get paperwork organized, but when it comes to the move itself, you’ll want to ensure that your home is also in good shape. Once you’ve started the search for the right house–in the right neighborhood–and are pre-approved for a loan, create a plan for moving day preparations that will help you get through the process as smoothly as possible. Then make a list of essential tasks to perform, such as setting up wi-fi and cable service, and gather all your resources to get them in one place. These might include phone numbers, websites, passwords, and addresses that you’ll need to access before, during, and after the move.
Since you will already be juggling a lot, outsource at least some of your moving process. First, decide if you want to pack up your home and office yourself or if you’d like the movers to handle that task. Then, look online for “best moving companies near me” and read through the reviews. Once you’ve found a few Los Angeles companies that come highly recommended, ask them for an on-site written quote. Phone quotes are never as accurate, plus having a representative from the company will help you to judge their professionalism and customer service, which are both important when trying to reduce your stress around the move.
Get Some Insight
One major aspect of both a move and a startup is figuring out financial details, and gaining some insight into your spending is a crucial element in the early days. Keeping track of how much capital you have and where it’s going can actually make or break your business. Fortunately, there is software available that will give you information on 24 months worth of transactions. It will even allow you to receive real-time updates so you always know where your money is going and when it’ll get there. Whether you need to lay out cash for marketing tools or equipment, you’ll have peace of mind about your financial state at all times.
Get a Marketing Strategy
You’ve found the perfect location for both living and working, and you have your financials sorted out. What’s the next step? Marketing a home-based business can be challenging, even if you already have an online following, so finding different strategies for drawing in customers is a major priority. FreshSparks notes that the right branding methods can go a long way, so think about a logo that will separate you from similar businesses while making it clear what you stand for. Gone are the days when small business owners had to lay out a lot of cash for design services. Simply generate a logo online through a platform that provides a template so you can use your preferred colors, fonts, and images.
Moving and starting a business at the same time can be a grueling process if you’re unprepared, but a good plan can go a long way toward helping you make both of these major life changes as successful as possible. Hire help for the moving process to reduce your stress, and focus on the logistics of getting your business and home back up and running smoothly. There will likely be a few bumps in the road, but there’s nothing a motivated entrepreneur can’t handle.
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