Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

For my husband`s business, we use our home address as our actual business address for tax purposes and we receive our biz-related bills there. The business cards and invoices have a PO box listed. It is a pain, and he only checks it when expecting a payment, but I really prefer to keep the home office address confidential. In the past, we had an office location for a different business but still had a couple employees with emotional problems show up at our house after some incidents. They should not have known our address, but one found out our address from his brother who was a meter reader. Yes, you can be found out, but they have to work harder than if you hand them a card with your address on it. In the current business, it`s customers (generally homeowners) who are receiving the PO address. They shouldn`t care either way, and it protects us a little bit. You just never know when people will snap these days of road rage and public shootings at suburban malls.

I had to think about this just this morning, I was registering with a temp agency, the actual work address is a rental property (where the workers will show up) but the billing address is my home. I only live a mile or so from the PO but I think a PO box in business seems a bit seedy, shady. I think a real address provides a sense of stability and permanence, with customers.

$.02

Stan

I use a Po Box because we have 2 local offices and the Mail service center is right in the middle. It is also close to my home, so it easy to pick up. I have to say, I once used my home address when I was just working at home and I actually had someone stalk me. So I never like to give out my home addresss. I also want to add that we run 3 seperate companies in the 2 local offices here and also the 2 locations in NY and MI. It works for us to have 1 central box.

 

Erin

Hello:

 

I was advised to use a P.O. Box for my business address, and that is what I use.  For me, this helps differentiate the business aspect from the personal.  Also, having my personal address to remain private gives me a sense of security.