There are a number of things that make launching a LocalUp site a compelling opportunity for budding entrepreneurs. These include relatively low startup costs, incredible support from the LocalUp team, increasing market demand, few significant competitors and the list goes on. 

Especially appealing to many young owners is that it’s possible to manage the site solo from a home office.  Working from home has an undeniable allure.  For many, escaping from the daily grind of a traditional office is what drives them to launch their own business.  A home office has the advantage of keeping costs down and maximizing convenience, important factors for a new endeavor.

There are drawbacks to working from home that can’t be ignored.  Waking up at noon and working in your pajamas is certainly appealing, but not necessarily productive. Distractions are everywhere when you live and work together, putting off taxes or other unsavory projects is all too easy when you can instead wash the laundry, water the plants, walk the dog, you get the idea. Holding business meetings and bringing on more staff can be awkward and may feel unprofessional for all parties involved.

As your business grows and develops, establishing an office outside the home is a logical step.  Finding an economical solution for a one or two person office can be difficult, but there are some creative solutions you should consider.

When budget is of utmost concern, consider becoming a regular at the local library or finding a friendly coffee shop in the neighborhood.  This solution isn’t ideal for taking your business to the next level, but it’s economical and gets you out of the house freeing you from some distractions.

Co-working spaces are another alternative that have been popping up in cities across the country providing small business owners with many of the conveniences of an established office.  Photocopiers, wi-fi, meeting rooms, and an office manager/receptionist are all standard features you can expect in a co-working space.  One final advantage of note is that these spaces can often be rented week to week with no long-term commitment.

If you need something a little more permanent, seek out other business owners in the area that have extra office space to sublet, or find other home office workers that would be willing to share a new space with you.  Just short of establishing your own office, this significantly increases monthly expenses but creates a framework for future growth and expansion that might be right for your business.

Working from home is ideal for many small business owners including LocalUp site owners, but for some, working at home simply doesn’t work.  By employing a little creativity, alternatives to the home office have never been more plentiful regardless of budget.

Does working at home work for you?