How to Run a Successful Garage-Based Business
When you think about running a successful garage-based business, chances are you’re thinking pretty big – advertising, items, cost versus time, so on. But there are actually three incredibly simple tips to running a successful business from home. These three things are often overlooked or written off as pointless or unneeded.
Get Comfortable
Sometimes when you start up your own garage-based business, things can get a little… confusing. What is too much or too little? It’s true, you don’t want to have a room full of distractions that will keep you from working. But you also don’t want it to be so drab, boring, and cold that you dread going to work. Feeling uncomfortable in your garage office won’t help with productivity at all. So find a balance that works for you, something comfortable, but productive. Aim for personal touches, comfortable and functional furniture, and a few, small de-stressing items.
Make your space both inviting and comfortable, while still being functional as a workspace. If you share the garage with cars, be sure that you choose a good location within your garage so that you don’t have to constantly set up and break down your office to make room for cars.
Get Organized
Whether you’re running a digital products business, creative business or a business that requires you to mail out lots of physical products from your home, getting organized is an important key to success. While nobody really thinks of garage storage solutions, you’ll be needing some to help you get organized. But don’t fret, there are tons of great options out there, and many of them are stylish. From hanging items (even large ones such as bikes) from the wall to setting up wall cabinets, organizing your garage to optimize the space is a must. But don’t stop there. You should also organize your physical products so that they are easily found. Likewise, even digital products should be labeled so that they’re easy for you to find on your computer. Staying organized doesn’t just ensure that you get your items shipped or submitted on time, either. It also helps you get and stay prepared for tax season when you’ll be expected to show proof of all incoming and outgoing expenses.
Get Serious
All the comfort and organization in the world won’t help you if you can’t get serious. Running a business from home isn’t just getting a bunch of cool gadgets and filing cabinets; It’s hard work. You have to get serious and commit to the idea of this being a way to earn some or all of your income. This means setting strict schedules and goals for yourself. If this is something you have to build up to, limit the hours you work at your ‘regular’ job so that you can make a transition from a 9-5 to a home-based business.
It’s hard at first. It’s hard work. Being at home while you work can be distracting. But it’s rewarding beyond any regular job that you might be able to find. So get serious about it. Treat it like the job you’re replacing.
Regardless of why you’re wanting to work from home or what sort of business you’re running, these three simple tricks will help to ensure that your business is successful. As a bonus bit of advice, never give up. Be ready for long nights, hard days, disappointments, and setbacks. But through it all, remember what inspires you to work from home, and remember that one day you might be someone’s inspiration, too.
