Five reasons to grow your business

For the soloist, once business starts to take off, there comes a time you need to decide whether to grow your business or keep it simple. Will you take on staff? Will you remain at home or move to bigger premises?

Over the last eight years, I have nurtured my web design business in the comfort and security of my home. It has always been a goal to grow my business to a team of five to ten staff to allow me to do what I love and still have the lifestyle.

I wanted to keep the office close to home, yet small enough to have all the benefits that a small business allows but large enough that we could all take holidays, or be sick, and have someone to back us up.

Many people have advised me to stay at home as long as possible and that I would be mad to move out and take on the overheads and complications of business premises.

But… only recently I took the plunge, leaving the nest and moving into commercial premises.

So why move, why leave the comforts of home behind and grow your business?

1. Life balance

The need to separate work from home for two reasons: firstly, I am a workaholic; and secondly I’m in my early 30’s and plan to start a family soon. I want to maintain a healthy work life balance for me and my family and can’t see any other way to do that, other than to separate my business from my house. I want to grow both and don’t personally feel that can happen under the one roof!

2. Time off

Recently the whole team was struck down with the 'flu, my staff could take time off away from the office, but when I was sick, my staff were here, in my house and I couldn’t really wander around in my PJ’s, doing the dying thing. So to have the office away from home means I can take time off when I want to or have to.

3. Perception

As we are growing, we have begun to attract larger clients, which is great. Unfortunately, there is still a perception out there among some larger companies that if you work from a home office, you may be gone tomorrow or your work may not be of a high standard. This can be true whether you work from home or a commercial premises, but the perception, right or wrong, is still there at times.

4. Space!

Although we are a small team of three, to take my business to the next level means more staff, which means more desks, chairs and computers, all needing space. Its time for more…

5. Growth

Having a commercial premises means an increased ability to attract and keep quality customers and staff. It all comes back to perception!

So how do you leave to grow your business? Firstly, I needed to decide where I wanted to be located, not too far from home but somewhere easily accessible to clients. Then find the right premises, not easy, it had to be a certain size to allow for future growth but not too big that we would initially feel lost in a huge space. It had to be in our budget and have some comforts of home such as heating, cooling, kitchen and toilet. Believe me you would think these things would be standard…guess again.

You then need to negotiate the lease, deal with real estate agents and solicitors, this can take some to-ing & fro-ing!

Then you can get the utilities connected…this process should be renamed to – “I can’t believe they can mess something so simple up”…but in the end it all came together and we co-ordinated connecting everything all in time for the move!

Word of warning though, don’t pick AFL Grand Final weekend to move! All those willing helpers suddenly disappear, but we still have a couple of helping hands and a truck so we are ready to go. Into the big wide world, into a space of our own.

Melissa Norfolk is an Internet expert who speaks to business, school and community groups about online marketing, email newsletters, effective use of the Internet, finding what you need online and Internet safety.

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Melissa
your enthusiasm is infectious and I wish you well. These things have a life of their own so despite your plans, whatever will be will be. Enjoy the ride.
Karen Morath from Melbourne | Read my articles
Thanks Karen - I have my days as we all do! But I am enjoying the ride .... Melissa Norfolk from Melbourne | Read my articles
Hi Melissa, my kids are old enough to know that all they need to do to get what they want is to wander into the office when I'm on a business phone call, and our otherwise delightful 2 dogs always seem to take the cue and have a rumble at my feet under the desk at the same time.........maybe you've got an idea, there ! Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
Melissa, I am just going through the process myself of moving to a commercial premises. All systems go for moving day this Thursday. It is an anxious time but also an extremely exciting prospect. The future is looking good and I get my home back.... Great article, thanks. Gina Bourke from Brisbane
Hi Melissa. Great article. I have no plans to move out of my home office myself, especially since we've just spent a considerable amount building it! I have three boys and actually find being at home means that I can manage the business and all that comes with having three boys much more easily. As a copywriter I also don't plan to build a team. Joining forces with related business owners down the track isn't necessarily out of the question, but at the moment I'm just enjoying being able to work and have a family. Another great option for solosists who want to leave home is a serviced office setup. These businesses already come with the infrastructure (toilet and kitchen included!) and you don't have the problem of extended leases. It's a good option for people who feel they've been alone for too long and want to work with people around but don't necessarily need a 'team'. Serviced offices come with receptionist and admin support as well as board room facilities. Karen Morris from Sydney | Read my articles
Hi Gina - that's very exciting and I wish you well with the move on Thursday! I moved 5 weeks ago now and it has been great for me to separate work from home and lock the door on the office at night and drive away. A small thing I know .... but needed when you are a workaholic. I have also been saving a great deal of time travelling to clients for appointments as we have our own boardroom at the office and most people are booking to see us at our office now. This has been a great time saver! Melissa Norfolk from Melbourne | Read my articles

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