How To Run A Business From Home
While Alexandria Durrell works, her three-year-old daughter Story isn’t in daycare or at a babysitter’s.
She is playing in the same room. Ms. Durrell is one of many small business owners who is a work-from-home mom. In 2000, about 50 per cent of the self-employed did some or all of their work from home, says Statistics Canada.With a toddler running around the house, it’s not always easy to create and market the accessories, like barrettes and soother clips, that Ms. Durrell’s business, Clippopotamus, sells.
But Ms. Durrell makes time boundaries — instead of spatial ones — between business and personal life.
“I play with my daughter every morning until nap time, then I have to be really productive in the afternoon when she’s sleeping,” Ms. Durrell said.
She also has a work station in her daughter’s playroom where she can work while still keeping a close eye on Story, she said.
Although Ms. Durrell said she finds she can work close to her toddler, experts say small business owners who work from home should try to have their work space separate from their home lives.
“Dedicate space in your home to working; don’t work at your dining room table,” said Brian Caldwell, senior marketing product manager for Brother Canada. Mr. Caldwell works with small business owners to find the right equipment for their home offices.
A low traffic space, preferably one with a door that closes, is best for a home office, Mr. Caldwell said.
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