Running A Business From Home, The Basics.

Working from home provides lots of different obstacles that you have to work through if you want to be a success.  I have found since becoming a full time blogger and starting Sweet Evangelines that there are a few things I really can’t do without  – for example, ordering online in bulk through to sending a parcel with logistic companies from the comfort of my desk so that I don’t even have to leave the house!

I thought I would jot down some handy tips to keep in mind before you set out on a new venture!

Find Your Place:  If you have the space make yourself a little office area, away from the living room and not in front of the TV where it is easy to be distracted.  This of course also means that when you have downtime you don’t get distracted by work too – win win! *says she who works with the laptop on her knee instead of at the desk upstairs!*

Having a dedicated space for your work really helps for your focus. I also love to make lists to keep myself organised.  – Emma from Emma Reed

I try to set and keep working hours. I have an A4 diary that I write the task for that day and I have a designated work space. Otherwise I find I’m working all day long not productively totally defeating the purpose of my reasons for being at home – Laura from The Mama Fairy

Write It Down:  Use a pen and paper, an online diary, whatever it takes to keep things fresh in your mind.  I am terrible that if it isn’t written down I forget and even then I need it in front of me as a constant reminder!

I have a whiteboard I use to write all current campaigns/jobs on and tick them off. I make lists and then order them from most pressing to least and then work through them – Danielle from Someones Mum

For me, I have a Webster pages pretty planner and I love to write lists to help keep me focused and make deadlines!  – Kelly-Anne from Mimi Rose and Me

My top tip is to use google calendar for EVERYTHING. It’s free and you can sync it up to all devices, share it with other members of the family. I use it for everything – work deadlines, school events, meetings….. – Sam from Mrs Mulled Wine

Do What Works:  Know what works for you and use it to your advantage.  I am at home to do the school and nursery run so work around those, if I need to nip out for the dentist or doctors etc then I can do – that is the joy of working from home.  Set a schedule but don’t be afraid to bend it – you are the boss and those are the perks of the job!

Trying to structure your day as if you were in an office, so taking a proper lunch break for example. Also, avoid distractions like having the TV on as it’s easier to concentrate – Jo from Miracle Max

Knowing when to switch off and down tools! Family time is important and I’m still teaching myself to stop thinking about the work that needs doing. Hard when our computer is in the living room! – Jodie from Maidenhead Mum

I’ve worked full-time from home for 7 years now and I don’t treat it like an office job – the whole point for me is flexibility so I work when it’s convenient rather than hours that anyone sets. That way I don’t for childcare, I go to the gym off peak when it’s cheaper etc. – Debbie from My Boys Club

Utilise The Internet:  It took me a long time to realise that I could treat my small start up as an actual business, that I was entitled to certain things and did not have to rely on leaving home to do any of it!

Everything from ordering fabric and findings to packaging materials can be ordered online.  You can send parcels and have them picked up from your home to save you even leaving the house and track your packages so you know they have reached their destination.   Business accounts are available in almost every sector offering discounts for bulk purchases and more in depth detail of customer insights and how to grow your business.

There is so much information out there and so many platforms to promote any home based business on that before you know it you could be the next Richard Branson!

I can’t recommend the Wave App enough. It’s FREE and has really forced my bookkeeping to be so much more organised. You can see at one glance if invoices are overdue and send a reminder with the touch of a button. – Sam from Mrs Mulled Wine

For me, I need to set a schedule, set my breaks and my lunch hour and actually double down and focus on what needs to get done in that time. Also having a set target “work for 2 hours and then have a 30 minute break with a cup of tea and cake” is important – as it adds a reward that will provide motivation. – Christy from Welsh Mum

FINALLY:   I couldn’t have said this better myself so will finish with a quote from another lovely blogger….

Making sure you don’t try and work when the kids are around unless they are really busy doing something else and another adult is there looking after them. It’s just not worth the stress! – Louise from Pink Pear Bear

XOXO

Debbie

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