| Jun. 08 2006 at 3:42 PM |
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If anyone is considering the jump... or has already jumped... over the cube farm fence, I think this article is indispensable.
MeLissa... this means you!
Edited by: Joel - Feb. 12 2007 at 3:56 PM
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| Jun. 08 2006 at 3:48 PM |
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I just saw this on the homepage and was planning to read it and soak it all in when I saw your post! Thanks for looking out for me Swaynester!
And, now after reading this, I get to applaud myself  a little bit because I have already (or at least have on my VIP tasks list):
- created a "work schedule" (I started this last night and it isn't as easy as it sounds, but I'm plugging through!)
- planned to continue dressing as I would if I were in cubicle land. I look fabulous in suits and I work better when I feel like I look fabulous. Why mess with the dynamic? I've also started to really try to look my best when I go out even for groceries. I'm learning that any trip outside of my home could lead me to my next client!
- created a system for keeping track of expenses. As a CPA, I have a little bit of experience in keeping things orderly for the IRS. My current trick (since I've not yet opened a business only checking or credit card account - also on the to-do list) is that I 've set up a major category in our personal quicken file called "Business" and have been adding sub-categories to track various types of expenses that I'll need to segregate for my schedule C when tax time rolls around (and, of course, I have another CPA or several since I have kept in contact with prior employers) who I can turn to for advice on things I'm not sure of.
- hired a graphic designer who's in the process of creating a great business card/stationery (including a notecard so I can send thank-yous, happy anniversary/birthday, etc. messages and the like to clients) and website.
- joined the Association of Bridal Consultants and signed up for their annual conference in November. And, this weekend, I'll be doing some valueable networking as I assist with the coordination of a 300+ guest wedding (an opportunity which, incidentally, I was made aware of because of my affiliation with ABC).
- joined and actively participate here at SUN (can you go wrong with so many other professionals like the Swaynester, Rich, Jeff, Joel, etc. looking out for you?)
Here's some of what I still need to do:
- make sure I have everything I need with me when meeting with clients. Last night was a testament to the fact that I should have it with me even when I'm not planning to meet anyone. My first client is a friend whom I'm planning a birthday party for. She called yesterday and asked for an impromptu meeting after work which I agreed to. The only issue was that I had to remember all my interview questions because the nicely thought out questionnaire I had created was at home sitting on the kitchen table. I'm lucky that I have a great memory and understanding friends, but in the future, I plan to be more prepared.
- phone logistics. I need one of those smart phones. I do, but I looked to see how much one would set me back with my current cell plan (which I'm holding on for dear life to because it comes with free nights and weekends beginning at 7p.m.!) and I was a bit taken aback. I had originally considered them because you can now buy add-on GPS technology (which I believe is going to be very helpful when I'm travelling to meet clients and vendors). That seemed like a great way to carry 1 piece of equipment instead of three (PDA, GPS, Cell phone). I'm not sure I'm ready to drop close to $500 for the unlocked version of the phone, though (which I need due to cell provider mergers), but for the sake of a professional appearance, it might be worthwhile. I also am contemplating an 800 number....
- I need to consider the backup system thing...
- I probably need to setup "reliable" computer help. Thankfully, I rarely have problems (my motto with respect to computers - "don't mess with anything that might cause a problem - ever." - it seems to work wonders).
So the upshot is - great article! It gave me some comfort that I'm on the right road and some pointers on how to miss a few more potholes. :) MeLissa
Independent Consultant for Scentsy Flameless & Wickless Candles
http://www.scentsy.com/gotscent
http://www.gotscent.blogspot.com
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| Jun. 08 2006 at 9:27 PM |
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I'd like to think that when I get to the stage where I'm working from home, several of those pointers will be common sense! I *have* to have a schedule, so I don't forsee setting work hours as being a problem.
What do you think will be the easiest part and the hardest part of the home office environment for you? "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right."
paraphrased Henry Ford
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| Jun. 09 2006 at 8:31 AM |
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TrueGRITS - Setting the work hours has never really been a problem for me. Its more an issue of keeping or sticking to what I've set ;)
Article had some very good info. I would caution that in my experience setting "emergency" contact information leads to clients abusing that privilege by treating everything as an emergency that needs to be resolved right NOW!
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| Jun. 09 2006 at 10:02 AM |
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It may sound a bit simplistic but one of the things that helped me
professionalize my home-based business was having a home studio set up
in a room with a door that shut in the evening when the office was
"closed." I need that physical separation between my home and work
life. Past home office situations in a riverfront condo with an open
office space off the living room, a 1920's apartment with a nice little
sunroom off the kitchen and an industrial loft with a very open floor
plan did not provide a "line" between my professional and personal
life. The first thing I did when buying my current house was to put in
a French door at the base of the stairs to my upstairs home-studio. At
the end of the day I come downstairs, close the door and my office
(like the businesses of the vast majority of my clients) is closed for
the evening.
Setting up, and publicizing, office hours has also been very helpful. My office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Years ago I also made it known my office was open on Fridays. Late each spring I'd switch to "summer office hours" to allow myself three-day weekends throughout the summer months. After Labor Day I would change my voice mail message back to the Monday-Friday schedule. One year I went to change the message after Labor Day and realized I didn't want to be "open" on Fridays - especially after already putting in 40-50 hours of work most weeks. My clients learn from our initial interaction what hours I am available to them. I will not have any client contact on a Friday. This past year a new client repeatedly tried to test me on my hours by emailing me at all hours and waiting to provide needed project decisions until late Thursday evenings. She got a dose of the reality of MY business when I would not respond to her until after 8:00 a.m. on Monday morning. The fact that she has chosen to not have a "life" does not impact how I choose to live my own - or how I run my business. I may still work on Fridays - primarily on marketing/promotion efforts - but it's great having that one personal day each week.
The issue of proper business attire has always come down to what is proper and appropriate for me. With my business, clients are often hiring me for my personality in addition to my talents, skills and knowledge. A great deal of my personal attire is written off by clients as a symptom of me being one of those "creative types." I most often wear nice (not ragged) jeans, a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops (unless it is raining or snowing). In the summer the change is made to nice silk walking shorts. I will not wear slacks, dress shirts or a tie. My attire has become a signature of how I do business - and people now expect it. In fact, clients, vendors and other designers now give me Hawaiian shirts as gifts. When HOW Magazine, a major design industry publication, recently commissioned a photo of me for an upcoming feature the fact I would be wearing a tropical shirt was a given.
Many summers ago, while designing all the marketing materials for the Seattle Seahawks football team, I was arriving for a client meeting on an extremely hot day wearing my usual "uniform." A man in a dark suit joined me in the elevator. As he was wiping the sweat off his forehead he asked, "You're dressed for your work, aren't you?" I responded that I was. The elevator came to his floor, the doors opened and as he walked out he turned to me and said, "I hate you." Mission accomplished.
So much of the professional image of many businesses is successfully conveyed by buying into the camouflage of the industry in which one works. I tend to do the opposite - and usually make a more unorthodox, memorable, and still professional impression in how I do business.
- J.
Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!
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| Jun. 09 2006 at 11:57 AM |
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Given my easy access to all things Hawaiian (my husband's from there and my PIL still live and work there), maybe I'll have to rethink the suit thing and join you in making every day Aloha Friday. :)
I like the idea of putting your office hours in your voicemail...especially for someone like myself who's opening a business that will not have a standard weekend (I think we can all agree being closed on Saturday would pretty much assure failure!). I'll have to think about when I want to be available for phone calls.
I love the idea of having a door on your office. The ability to separate personal and professional life has definitely been one that I've been contemplating as I quickly approach my new lifestyle. I'll have to see if I can figure out some way of working that out since our current living arrangements don't really allow for me to have my "own" room.
Great tips, Jeff! Thanks as always. MeLissa
Independent Consultant for Scentsy Flameless & Wickless Candles
http://www.scentsy.com/gotscent
http://www.gotscent.blogspot.com
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| Jun. 09 2006 at 12:40 PM |
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Hi everyone!
I am not officially in business yet, still have to wrap up a few things first. I will
try to tell you what I have done so far in my startup:
MY WORKING HOURS - I have them listed in my marketing materials as 8 to
5 pm Monday-Friday. But since I am just starting up - I do want
to make myself accessible to as many people as I possibly can.
But I will charge for that. In the Errands/Delivery/Concierge
business everyone seems to charge a premium for nights and
weekends. So I will do that too. Also this business
is a "luxury business" for some and for others it is used only for emergencies so
the extra cost should not be a problem for after hour services.
FORMS - I have most of them at the ready, I am still working on my "invoice"
that I need to have customized since the standards wont work for me. I have to
include times and mileages on my invoices. I did buy a silver
clipboard/storage box which I think will come in handy. I could store
forms in there and use it to write on since after errands are
done I will return to the client's house and have them sign off
on the job. Then I will write out the invoice at that time thereby
saving me time, energy and postage.
CLOTHES - I have a lot of polo shirts made at Queensland Uniform Co
with my co name on the pocket. I like these since they looke nice and
neat and the navy blue can be worn with either white, blue or khakki
pants for a casual yet
professional appearance. I also wear my ID necklace with my
picture and co name on both sides. I do plan to have a company
jacket made later on with my logo I dont have one yet.
BUSINESS CARDS - I have a lot of these from Vistaprint. I usually buy
them when they are having a sale and I get 250 for less than $6.00 to
cover shipping only. So I have several kinds for my different
markets. One with large print for my seniors and than an upscale card
for my busy clients who have more money
than time.
STATIONARY - I also bought this from Vista during a sale but I need to
buy postcards and flyers. I dont know if I will be making up my own since
I still dont have a logo and eventually I want everything to be the same.
SOFTWARE - I have MS Publisher that I really havent had time to work
with yet. I saw this morning it has web pages on it so I guess you can
make your own template? I will have to check it out when I have some
time (lol)
I also heard that Quicken and Peachtree software is good so I will think about
that later on down the road. But for right now I will probably just be using
"Word" to print my invoices up.
ACCOUNTANT - I have a great accountant (I found him on the radio he has
a weekly show) and he is a great source of information. It is directed
more towards seniors and I need that kind of information for my senior
clients)
I can call him up on the phone and ask questions without being charged. He is
a great guy and I am glad I found him
ATTORNEY - Well, I need one - I really need one now to review my business
contracts. I am getting templates of contracts that deal with my
business but they were created and looked over by an attorney in
Ind. I think I should have
someone here look them over too. So I have to find a contract lawyer here in
NJ.
EMPLOYEES - I dont think I will be hiring employees. Everyone I know in my
networking group either does this by themselves or they hire
contractors. Which I will be doing shortly, compiling a list of
I.C. for subcontracting work out to.
I already have had some offers.
IRS RECORDS - This area I am pretty good in since I am very organized and
I feel that my 4-part invoice will work. One copy for the client, one for the
client file, one for a master invoice file and one for my accountant.
WEBSITE - This is still in the making. I am trying to find time for this between
all the research involved in a startup and taking care of the
house. I have already paid for my provider host which is
"Startlogic" but havent had the time to build the site yet. I
opened up another website since I wanted two sites I really wanted two
names. One for errands/delivery services and the other one for
concierge/organizing/event services for other clients.
PHONE SYSTEM - I just have my land line phone and my cell phone listed
and both have voice mail. I would like to check other systems later on down
the road. I would really love to buy a "blackberry" they are so cool and efficient but that will have to wait....
EQUIPMENT - I have 2 printers, one is a HP inkjet and the other is a
Lexmark multi tasker which scans, develops pictures, copies and prints.
I have a Sharp fax machine and a Cannon Copier so I think I am covered
unless something new comes out. I love new technology !!
SUPPLIES - I used my 2nd bedroom for my office - removed the clothes
pole in the closet and had shelves put in. So now I have a space for
all my supplies and I know where everything is. In fact my handyman is
coming over next week and putting in some more shelves in the office so
everything will be easier to reach. I dont have a desk to work
on. I had one but I gave it away. I think, for me, tables work
better. No clients will be coming here so I can do this. I bought
4 tables at staples and one holds my fax machine and copier, another
holds my paperwork (which is lumped into specific topics so when I am
ready for whatever I am working on) I go to that pile. Makes it easier
for me. Another table is for me when I sit down and work on
whatever I am working on. Right now I seem to spend all my waking
hours on the computer typing up forms, contracts and doing
research. The other table will come in handy down the road for
something. My books and magazines I plan to put on the new
shelves in the office
NETWORKING - that is the part for me I find most
challenging. I work alone and live alone so .....I need to be
part of a networking system. Right now I belong to Sun and I tune
in a lot during the day and find out what topics are being discussed by
everyone. I think there is tremendous material in the forums
here for everyone from startup to well established companies. I would miss
it if I couldnt find out what was going on here. That is why
eventually I will want to purchase a laptop since I hope to be
travelling during the course of my business. (one of the reasons I
wanted to start a business. I belong to several other networking
groups but they are more specifically related to my business which is
important to me as they are wells of important information that I
need to be made aware of. My cousin is moving back to NJ from Ca this
year and we plan to work together in complimentary businesses.
That would help a lot since I would have someone to depend upon for the
business.
Well I am finally done - I tried to cover as much as I could about my startup business. Hope you weren't too bored  and thanks for reading everyone!
jo
Jo
NJ
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| Jun. 09 2006 at 1:09 PM |
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MeLissa wrote: I like the idea of putting your office hours in your voicemail...especially for someone like myself who's opening a business that will not have a standard weekend (I think we can all agree being closed on Saturday would pretty much assure failure!). I'll have to think about when I want to be available for phone calls. I love the idea of having a door on your office. The ability to separate personal and professional life has definitely been one that I've been contemplating as I quickly approach my new lifestyle. I'll have to see if I can figure out some way of working that out since our current living arrangements don't really allow for me to have my "own" room.
M -
You might say on your phone message that your "office" is open
Tuesday through Saturday. Like most business owners, you may be
working on Sunday and/or Monday - but it would give you a bit of a
break from constant clients. Even putting up a folding screen to block off your "office" might be helpful. My problem has always been that if I can see the work that may need to be done I start feeling guilty about not working on it ALL the time.
Having a quality personal life is extremely important to me. With a partner who has a much more traditional job (managing a law firm) I need to adapt my work schedule to allow for valuable time together. We both work hard - and like playing hard together, too.
- J.
Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!
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