Taking the Leap
It may not be a surprise to anyone who knows me or has followed this Blog for nearly three (3) years now, that I had a chance encounter with a University Professor at a dog store. While discussing her very rare breed of dog, we began discussing Illuminate’s IWON (Illuminate Women Owners Network) Program. Her one insight inspired this week’s topic.
As we took up space in our local pet shop, the Professor took my business card, paused, and said ‘Wow, you have an actual office suite.’ It caught me by surprise. Of course I have office space, but then I started considering many sole practitioners I know and they all had one thing in common, they worked from home and never had an actual commercial office space. Would she have been so surprised if I were not a woman? Is it generally accepted that women work from home? Or was I taking her comment too far?
Timing on this subject could not have been better orchestrated. Our IWON session this month will delve into our member’s perspective on office space. We have one (1) member not renewing her commercial lease when it is up this summer, two (2) more that are in a quandary if they should renew their space this year or work from home, and we have one that has been embarking upon encouraging women owned businesses to consider the office space in a prime downtown location owned by a Church, where her office resides.
For me, the question often comes down to professionalism and, of course, money. Will potential clients not think as professionally of you and your business if your company address is also your home? Will you need to meet in person throughout the lifecycle of your client relationship, and, if so, do you have a private club or community space to meet that can take the place of a traditional commercial office?
The greatest obstacle I have at times, is being a pet owner. One evening, a Zoom Session had all of my animals outside my home office door trying to get inside. It seemed they decided I must have treats or something enticing behind the closed door. There was whining, claws on the door, barking, and meowing. They finally busted in near the end when the most crafty of my dogs finally opened the door and the dogs and cats fell in, all at once. A purrfect storm as I called it!
I also happen to live in an urban neighborhood with houses quite close to each other that are also well over 100 years old. That combination means lots of contractors, landscapers, and delivery or service repair trucks. We also cannot forget the neighborhood dogs, of which there are many beyond mine, and the pool, where every high school child in town seems to congregate.
At the end of the day, there are many factors to consider to leasing commercial office space for your business. Some firms, such as many retailers find it is a necessity. Others, like many professional business services, could be a toss up. It may come down to affordability and, frankly, the noise factor.
Having your own little formal office space may be the only path to a quiet and professional environment where you can have meaningful client conversations without that incessant Beep Beep Beep of the corner neighbor’s construction project or that cannonball splash in the neighbor’s pool. And do not forget to check out shared common work space availability like a WeWork setting. Most cities have some form orf collective office sharing, including our city of Buffalo.
Izzy, our dog in flight in our Blog photo, has no hesitation in getting out in front of her competition for her coveted tennis ball. Will formal commercial space help you take that leap and professionalize your firm’s appearance? Or, perhaps, find yourself a home in a quiet part of town, save endless dollars, and utilize a UPS mailbox that has an actual street address, not just a PO Box number, and no one else will be the wiser!
Be well.
