This 2 part article is designed to identify some of the challenges that face those of us working from a home office in the hope of helping you tackle and overcome some of these obstacles. So here we go…

My Office - Where Do I Put It?
Space:
The dining room table is NOT an office. First you need to identify an area of your house that you can truly set up as your office. Make sure it is bright and cheery and dedicated only to one thing, your work. Invest in a comfortable chair, good lighting, a desk and a plant or two.
Equipment:
The equipment you use will depend on the nature of your work, but you will probably need a computer(I personally like laptops to give me flexibility), telephone with headset, fax machine with copy function, a good quality printer(laser for business quality) and perhaps a scanner or digital camera (optional but handy!). Photocopiers are something you should also consider, but your local business centre should be able to provide what you need without the cost. Don’t extend yourself too much in the first while, but make sure you have the key elements to be professional.
You may want to look into the cost of a separate business and fax line, separate from you home phone line. It is worth it! After you receive business calls when the kids are having a food fight or faxes just as little Sally is settling down to sleep, the idea of separate lines will make sense.

Resources:
Set yourself up with resources such as…a good accountant and accounting software package, a computer technician (my husband is mine) and a good office supply store. Keep those phone numbers/E-mails handy!
Keep key resource books/directories handy, but don't clutter your office with stuff you rarely use. Get a good filing system and use it. And schedule a day during the month to clear the clutter and purge. It will clear your mind as well and de-stress you! Also, if you have a computer, schedule the " back-ups" of your files in you calendar and do it religiously. CRASHES can be disastrous to a home business or any business for that matter.

" My Shingle" :
Get professionally done business cards…not those " Print Your Own" …they look cheap! Consider a simple Web Site as your company brochure. Remember, you are a business and you need to promote yourself as a business. Web Sites do NOT have to be expensive, in fact, probably less expensive than brochures.

My Time - How do I Manage It?
If you had a time management system in the past (at the office), you really need one now. There will be all sorts of things that will try to take you away from a schedule…child interruptions, door bells, friends calling…Spend time figuring out what time management system works for you and stick to it. Oh, and don't forget to schedule some time for yourself to go for a walk or sit on the porch and enjoy the sunshine. Just don't do it all day!
When I first began to work from home, I suffered from a lot of guilt. Yes, guilt! I felt guilty that I was not stressed out at the end of the day…guilty that I had not worked 12 hours…guilty that I was not spending more time with the kids…guilty that I was having a good time! It took me a couple of years to start to feel comfortable in my home office " skin" . So, if it happens to you, don't worry…it will pass. Analyze your working day relative to the workday you had at the office. Were you really working 8 hours a day with no interruptions? Many people say that they accomplish much more at home in fewer hours. So don't beat yourself up!

Next time we'll talk about Your Social/Business Life, the Kids and Growing Your Business.

Anne Stone - is the founder of Women in a Home Office, a business network designed for women (with or without kids) who work from a home office. The network has been in operation since 2000 in The Beach. For more information go to www.womeninahomeoffice.com or call Anne at 416-699-1246.

Part 2
So You Want to Work from a Home Office?
Part 2

Last time we talk about various aspects of a Home Office such as: My Office (space, equipment, resources, my " shingle" ) and My Time. In this article, we tackle My Business/Social Life, My Kids & Growing My Business.

My Business/Social Life - How do I Get it Back?
The isolation of a home office can be one of the biggest hurdles you will have to get over. You might say " I love to work alone" but eventually (and it may only take a few days) you will need " grown-up" interaction during your day. Keep in touch with people from your past business experiences. You will need them. Schedule meetings a couple of times a week even if it is to have coffee with a good friend. Having your meetings at a local coffee shop is a great way to 1) get out of the office and " see the world" and 2) have a meeting without worrying " are the breakfast dishes done" . Having meetings in you home can be more stressful than you think! I know in my home, I have to worry whether the dog will " chew" my guests! Not a good first impression!

Next, join a network so that you can, once a month or whenever they meet, take the time to get out and sell your business to others. This is REALLY important. Take every opportunity to get your word out. That is why I developed Women in a Home Office. It gives the members the opportunity to get out and talk business and make contacts.

My Kids - How Do I Deal With Them Being Around?
If you have kids, being with you kids is one of the big advantages of a home office. You might be able to take the time to walk little Sally to school or fill the wading pool, something the corporate world doesn't allow. But, it can also be a big distraction. I try to let my kids know that the office is not a fun/play place, so they don't really get any fun out of coming in. On the other hand, if they want to be around, I set them up in the office and let then raid the recycling bin for " goodies" to do crafts with. The office can also be a great place for HOMEWORK.

One thing I have found by working from home is that I am instilling a work ethic in my children. They know that work is a part of life and also realize that it takes discipline. What a neat " spin-off" of working from home!

If your financial situation can support a nanny, get one! Having a nanny at your home during the day allows you full freedom to attend meetings, make those phone calls and grow your business. When you do not have flexibility, you are holding your business back. Even if you get a nanny a couple of days a week, it is a giant step towards seriously maintaining your home based business.

Growing My Business - How Do I Do It?:
Well, the business will not knock on your door, will it! And your neighbours won't take kindly to the large neon sign outside your door, will they? So, how do your grow your business?
- We should spend 20% of our time growing the business…that is 1 day a week! Set the time aside each week, it does not all have to be all in the same day.
- Use your business customers/networks/friends/acquaintances to help you grow the business. Make sure they have your card (which should include your Web Site) The work you have done to date is a great way to promote your business. Testimonials and referrals are an effective and cost effective way to grow your business. Be sure that people are talking about you and what great work you do.
- Don't be afraid to ask for help! Sometimes it is not YOU who can best sell your products/services, it's somebody else. Why not offer to help someone else grow their business while they do the same for you.
- Place an ad in the local community newspaper consistently, not just once or twice. Write articles about your area of expertise and submit them for publication in local publications.
- Join local community associations and get out there and help. This is a great way to promote YOU without being blatant about it.
- Education –Continue to educate yourself in areas of business so you can stay on top of your profession. Don’t fall behind!
- Develop a Marketing Plan for your business. Big or small, it will keep you focused for the year. Determine who you want as a customer and target them. What is it that you have that they would want? Remember, too, you may have to make a lot of phone calls before you get the business. Don’t be discouraged, just be professional.

Well, these are a few of the challenges of working in a home office and probably the ones most evident. As they say, " Anything Worth Having is Worth Fighting For" and the JOY of being at home with your kids and having a career is worth it…..I know it first hand. Good Luck!

Anne Stone - is the founder of Women in a Home Office, a business network designed for women (with or without kids) who work from a home office. The network has been in operation since 2000 in The Beach. For more information go to www.womeninahomeoffice.com or call Anne at 416-699-1246.