“Can You Live Where You Work… and Work Where You Live?”
A unique situation occurs when a business opportunity is operated out of the home. Conflict can result from the infringement of the customer/business interaction on family functioning. A family and business does not integrate successfully in the same space without some planning. Five areas of family functioning are likely to be affected.
Family cohesion. Each household will need to answer the following: 1)What will the business demand from the home space? 2)What does the family need from the space in the home? 3) How can you develop a management plan for household space use that best accommodates your family and your business?
Personal and family time schedules. If the schedules of family members are fixed and intermeshed (one car and each person needs to be on time for various commitments), a Starscapes.com business opportunity would have to meet this time schedule. It would be difficult to retail items such as paintings and crafts if customers stop by anytime.
Use of space. Is your business one which requires storage space, an area for customer interaction, specialized tools and equipment, or convenient access for pickup and delivery? Is confidentiality a problem? The arrangement of space may affect ongoing family activities. The most convenient part of the house for customer interaction, pickup and delivery is often the most shared and public parts of the house (kitchen, living room, etc.).
Space separations must be maintained for deductions as business expenses for tax purposes. One must determine if this part of the house has too many uses that are part of the pattern of your family’s life to also be used in the business.
There are many different types of home-based businesses, but they can be grouped into broad categories: production/service; consulting or counseling; sales or marketing and mail order. These different types of businesses have different space needs. Thinking about what category describes your business can help you begin to think about space needs. Think about storage space, space for tools and equipment, production space, area to meet with clientele, pickup and delivery and office space.
The Neighborhood. How do your neighbors feel about a business in the neighborhood, and do city and county codes permit your business to be established in the neighborhood? Higher traffic in the neighborhood may cause disenchantment among friends and neighbors. A seamstress may consider fitting garments at the client’s house or secure alteration business through a clothing store or dry cleaners in order to preserve the character of the neighborhood, for example.
Shipping and deliveries could be made to a U.S. postal service box or parcel service branch office to avoid unwanted truck traffic.
Risk handling behavior. Another aspect of family functioning which relates to a business at home is the family’s attitude toward risk. Some are risk seekers who look for opportunities to be tested, willingly take financial risks, and promote novelty and change in their lives. Others tend to avoid change and desire a secure environment at home and around the family.
For complete information and worksheets order, “Can You Live Where You Work…And Work Where You Live?”, publication 354-306, from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, Distribution Center, Landsdowne St., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-6192. Publication cost is $1.50.
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