Working and Living in the Same Space

Lesson Goals: For home-based business owners to: –Learn how to accommodate business needs in the home space –Identify space needs –Identify potential conflicts –Develop action plan Working and Living in the Same Space

Can You Live Where You Work… And Work Where You Live? Working and Living in the Same Space

Three Step Process Working and Living in the Same Space 1. Business Demands 3. Integrate into a management plan 2. Family Needs

Conflict Issues Found In Virginia HBB’s Include Intrusion of home-based business into family areas Intrusion of family activities into the business space Overlap of space use One-third of the participants had a designated area or schedule for the HBB. Working and Living in the Same Space

Successful Home Based Business Plans Include Designating separate spaces Having a time schedule The “on-demand” or “whoever needs it now” system of sharing business and family spaces seems to result in more conflict Working and Living in the Same Space

What are the Issues? Working and Living in the Same Space Family Space Family Business Busines Business

Do you describe your business as… Production? Service? Consulting or counseling? Sales or marketing? Mail order? Working and Living in the Same Space

Business Space Use Storage Tools and Equipment Production Meet Clientele Access – Pickup/Delivery Office Working and Living in the Same Space

Analyze Space Needs Type? Quantity? Variability? Future Change? Where? Working and Living in the Same Space

Lack of storage is the greatest dissatisfaction of home based businesses Perception of clutter magnifies storage needs Working and Living in the Same Space

Family Space Needs Number of members Age, sex, and size of members Time spent at home Activities conducted in the home Number of size and possessions Past experience Social and cultural norms Working and Living in the Same Space

You Don’t Work Alone! How will you accommodate… Parking? Pick-up and delivery? Conference space? Safety and security? Image? Working and Living in the Same Space

The Business Outside the Home What About… Your location? Traffic? Parking? Accessibility? Signage? Working and Living in the Same Space

List Problems:List Solutions:____________________________________________ Working and Living in the Same Space

What’s the Law? Local zoning Restrictive covenants Subdivision regulations Homeowner’s association covenants Local Business ordinances Homeowner’s insurance Working and Living in the Same Space