Should You Invest in a Separate Studio Space?
Here are 4 things to consider before buying or renting a dedicated studio or storefront space for your business
Maybe your work has outgrown the kitchen filing cabinet. Or you’re looking to hire more employees and expand your offerings into retail. Or maybe your converted garage already has everything you and your clients need. Whatever your specific circumstances, determining the best setup for your workspace can have a big impact on your business, particularly if you’re a home professional. Is finding the perfect storefront or commercial studio right for you and your team, or could those rent or mortgage dollars be put to better use elsewhere? Here are a few things to think about before committing to a separate office space.
Fair loves the convenience and saved expense of working from home, as well as their house’s central location relative to clients. The ease of virtual meetings helps this arrangement work for them, though Fair says that being so close to the office can lead to longer work hours and a sometimes blurred line between work life and personal life, especially when working and living with a spouse. “I find myself working more because, ‘Oh, well, I can just do this really quickly, just hop on the computer and do work.’ ”
If you’re someone who needs separation to be productive, leasing or eventually buying a space may be helpful. Andrea Schumacher of Andrea Schumacher Interiors in Denver decided that establishing her own studio space when she first went into business as an interior designer 19 years ago was necessary both to get her into the right daily mindset and to start her business off on a confident note.
“I just decided that was what I was going to do,” Schumacher says. “I wanted to make it official, and it made me feel like it was an official decision.”
She and her team, which has grown to nine people, have moved to two additional spaces in the years since, most recently last year, when they bought a studio.
Browse desks on Houzz
If you’re someone who needs separation to be productive, leasing or eventually buying a space may be helpful. Andrea Schumacher of Andrea Schumacher Interiors in Denver decided that establishing her own studio space when she first went into business as an interior designer 19 years ago was necessary both to get her into the right daily mindset and to start her business off on a confident note.
“I just decided that was what I was going to do,” Schumacher says. “I wanted to make it official, and it made me feel like it was an official decision.”
She and her team, which has grown to nine people, have moved to two additional spaces in the years since, most recently last year, when they bought a studio.
Browse desks on Houzz
Shared or coworking spaces can be a practical alternative for pros who feel more comfortable having an office to go to each morning but don’t want the commitment of a lease. Many coworking facilities offer desks, conference rooms and other office amenities (not to mention other people working nearby for those who don’t love the social isolation of working from home) for a fee. Such spaces can come in handy if you need a professional setting to meet with a client. Other arrangements, such as sharing a space with other pros working in similar fields, could also meet your needs, especially if you’re on the go a lot and need a traditional office or desk only occasionally.
2. Which features would work best for you and your clients?
The types of projects you handle and the way you approach them can determine whether you have the office features you need or would be better served elsewhere.
“Make a list of everything that you want to be able to do,” Schumacher suggests. “Do you need a little library for fabric, and where is it going to go? Do you need a table to sit at with clients, and where is it going to go? Do you need a computer station?”
Finding a separate office space that allows for the large video screens you’d like to use for presentations, a drafting table bay or a rooftop for networking events might make the investment worthwhile.
The types of projects you handle and the way you approach them can determine whether you have the office features you need or would be better served elsewhere.
“Make a list of everything that you want to be able to do,” Schumacher suggests. “Do you need a little library for fabric, and where is it going to go? Do you need a table to sit at with clients, and where is it going to go? Do you need a computer station?”
Finding a separate office space that allows for the large video screens you’d like to use for presentations, a drafting table bay or a rooftop for networking events might make the investment worthwhile.
3. What do you want your space to say about your business?
Your office space, particularly if you open it up to your clients and other professional associates, acts as an extension of your brand, so finding a studio or shop that reflects your style and values can go a long way, Schumacher says.
“There’s an image that you’re presenting. [Clients] know that if you’re invested in your own company, then you’re invested in them,” she says. “And it gives you a presence.”
Of course, the right home office setup might enable you to achieve the same results. In Fair’s case, her home office is equipped with presentation screens, meeting space and an array of potted and planted sample greenery so clients can get a sense of the products she’ll be using in their projects.
See more eclectic office inspiration photos
Your office space, particularly if you open it up to your clients and other professional associates, acts as an extension of your brand, so finding a studio or shop that reflects your style and values can go a long way, Schumacher says.
“There’s an image that you’re presenting. [Clients] know that if you’re invested in your own company, then you’re invested in them,” she says. “And it gives you a presence.”
Of course, the right home office setup might enable you to achieve the same results. In Fair’s case, her home office is equipped with presentation screens, meeting space and an array of potted and planted sample greenery so clients can get a sense of the products she’ll be using in their projects.
See more eclectic office inspiration photos
The overall image of an office can be especially important for home design professionals, as the space often doubles as a showcase of the pro’s work and aesthetic. Whichever type of space you choose, ensuring that there’s room to show off your style is vital. Schumacher, for example, says she uses her studio to “push the boundary a little bit” design-wise to give clients a peek at what’s doable.
4. Can your space evolve with your business?
You might be just a one-person operation now, but before you lock in to a long-term lease, think about what could change with your business in the years to come. Your one-desk space may not cut it for long. Or maybe you’re a team of 10 but plan to streamline your services in the future. In both cases, it’s best to have an office that’s flexible with evolving needs.
“I knew I wanted it to be a space that could be many things, so I looked for something that I could shrink if I need to and expand if I need to,” Schumacher says.
That fluid mindset also applies when ironing out the details of a lease. Being stuck in the same space for 10 years could get in the way of your growth. On the flip side, committing to an expansive building before you’re ready for it could be just as problematic. Ultimately, your space needs to be the best fit for you now and in the future.
Share: How did you design the best office space for your business? Tell us in the Comments.
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You might be just a one-person operation now, but before you lock in to a long-term lease, think about what could change with your business in the years to come. Your one-desk space may not cut it for long. Or maybe you’re a team of 10 but plan to streamline your services in the future. In both cases, it’s best to have an office that’s flexible with evolving needs.
“I knew I wanted it to be a space that could be many things, so I looked for something that I could shrink if I need to and expand if I need to,” Schumacher says.
That fluid mindset also applies when ironing out the details of a lease. Being stuck in the same space for 10 years could get in the way of your growth. On the flip side, committing to an expansive building before you’re ready for it could be just as problematic. Ultimately, your space needs to be the best fit for you now and in the future.
Share: How did you design the best office space for your business? Tell us in the Comments.
More
How to Help Clients Navigate the Latest Smart Tech
4 Tips for Effective Branding
A separate office space can be a significant investment, so it’s smart to think through the benefits and drawbacks that could come with it. Working from home or making your home office your base of operations sometimes makes the most sense.
Kelsey Fair of K. Fair Landscape Design near Los Angeles says she and her husband purchased their home specifically because it could function as a live-work space. The couple use the house’s open-concept first floor and yard as their meeting space and materials and plant library, while other team members work remotely.