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Last Updated on May 6, 2017 by Work In My Pajamas
Being your own boss and working from home are two top career goals for many workers in the United States. As your own boss, you can prioritize your day as you desire, make exceptional decisions to guide and grow your business, and make connections with clients and customers on your own terms. When you work from home, you can be closer to your family, avoid a commute, and take breaks as needed for personal tasks. Combining both of these into your work life can be a dream come true for many people and can dramatically improve your quality of life and even your income potential. As you prepare to embark on this new path in your career, consider following these tips for an easier and more productive transition.
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Establish a Home Office
Perhaps one of the most important tasks you should focus on when beginning this experience is to establish a dedicated work area in your home. This may be on a desk in your bedroom or in a spare bedroom that you convert into a home office. However, it ideally will not be in an area that your family regularly uses, such as the dining room table. Consider your technology and infrastructure needs, such as business internet and phone service. According to Frontier’s enterprise internet services in Tampa Florida, having 24/7 tech support can make all the difference when you’re just starting out. You may also need to upgrade your computer, buy office supplies, and take other similar steps to create the full office experience in your own home. This could be a gradual stage and will be completed over time.
Consider Different Business Entities
Before you formally launch your business, consider the different types of business entities. For example, you may want to operate your business as a sole proprietor. If this is the case, you will file a Schedule C on your personal tax return to document income and expenses for your business with the IRS. There are also LLCs, partnerships, corporations, and other entities that you can consider. Each has its own pros and cons. By carefully examining each option, you can better determine which business entity structure is best for your endeavor. You can also change this overtime as your business grows.
Plan for Accounting Tasks
Business finances should be planned for from day one. First, you should plan to separate business and personal income and expenses. The best way to do this is to open a dedicated business checking account and even to apply for a business credit card. Second, consider using an accounting program designed for business use. These programs may have special budgeting features, invoicing options, tax prep options and more that you can benefit from. There are several popular options to consider, so take time to explore them in detail before you decide which one to use.
Set Regular Work Hours
A final and important tip for all individuals who work at home is to set regular work hours. When you work on your own schedule, it is easy to sleep late or cut out early in the afternoon. After all, you are only accountable to yourself when you are the boss, and many things may divert your attention away from work. However, productivity will falter when you only work part-time hours. When you set regular work hours, you are more likely to devote more hours to your professional tasks. More than that, your family may easily get accustomed to your work schedule at home, and will be less likely to disrupt you during those hours.
While being your own boss and working from can be amazing in many ways, you can see that there are several key points that should be addressed and planned before you get started working on your business. These are top considerations that can impact your business as well as your work life. Focus your attention on these points today, and think through them carefully so you can be better prepared to embark on this new chapter in your life.
