Business Opportunities Weblog

June 9, 2008 by Rich Whittle | 1 Comment

Associated Press:

Robin Stein’s company, Portamee, was started in her Manhattan apartment in 2006 and found quick success selling its baby carriers to big retailers. So Stein and her partner, Jennifer Gilbert, moved to an office in the garment district.

But the weakening economy is making it harder for this young business. Stein said the company needs capital to be able to grow, but it’s having a hard time raising it in the difficult economic climate.

“It’s a lot more challenging to get customers to buy a new brand without supporting (it) with advertising and marketing, and that’s expensive,” she said.

So, at the end of June, Portamee will relocate back to Stein’s Upper West Side apartment.

“We need to be cautious so that we can manage this stage in business,” Stein said. “I think we’ll be fine in the long run.”

Many business owners who move back home find a lot of advantages, often rediscovering the benefits they lost when they moved to an outside office.

Nancy Michaels began her business consulting company, Grow Your Own Business Network, in her house, and moved to an office when she had employees. But a combination of economic and personal issues led her to move the business back to her Concord, Mass., home. The switch has brought a series of pluses, including some that have made her more competitive.

“There’s relatively no overhead, so you pass those savings on to clients,” she said.

Photo by Portamee.

In Self-employed, Small Biz, Work at Home | 1 Comment