Thursday, December 27, 2012

Starting a New Business

The Right Location for your New Business
One of the things that makes starting a new business so hard is that there's so much to do. It's overwhelming. Van Nuys Offices will help you to organize your thoughts and develop a business plan that puts you on the road to success.

One of the main things to think about if you’re running any kind of business is where to have it located. Van Nuys Offices has many different sized offices and with different layouts. If you’re a sole trader, freelancer or someone who doesn’t have any employees then working from home is often seen as the way forward. After all, it can be a cheap and cheerful way of keeping overheads to a minimum.

However, increasingly a large number of people who have a business to run are finding that renting office space from Van Nuys Offices is a great way of pushing their business forward. The process of starting an office is complex and the decisions that you will have to make are critical to the success of your business.

Acquiring too much office space in the wrong location will have a very big impact on your business's financial stability. Because you will be paying for office space you are not using. Acquire too little office space and you will have to move after only a short period of time if your business increases. Determining the right amount of office space in the right location will help you to reduce the risk of moving from office to office.

With the flexibility of their leases and the amount of help they that honor their tenants. This makes it a lot easier to get your new business jump-started. Even though the recession continues to rumble on, this has been good for people on the lookout for a place to work as rents are cheap and prime locations are plentiful.

Friday, December 7, 2012

Need a Small Office?

If you have a business that requires a small office in the Van Nuys area then a small office from Van Nuys Offices may be the perfect solution for you. You can rent an office as small as 80 square feet or as large as 180 square feet. You can rent on a month to month, quarter to quarter or a year to year lease. All terms are flexible and negotiable. For a small additional monthly fee we can even provide fully furnished offices including desks, chairs, and cabinets.

Other leading small office rental companies will tell you that printers, copiers, fax machines, telephones and coffee machines (usually all in used condition) are included in their price but does that justify paying twice as much for rent, month after month? Not a chance!!
Save Money, over the long run saving on monthly rent can really add up! Starting at $195/month you can use these savings for more important items like advertising, marketing and/or room to expand into more offices.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Scared of starting your own business?

Start-up Office
Offices for Business that are just starting



People always wonder if this is a good time to start their own business. The fact is, there's really never a bad time to launch a business. It's obvious why it's smart to launch in strong economic times. People have money and are looking for ways to spend it. But launching in tough or uncertain economic times can be just as smart. If you do some research and there's a high need for the business you're starting.

Because many people are reluctant to launch in tough times, your new business has a better chance of getting noticed. And, depending on your idea, in a down economy there is often equipment (or even entire businesses!) for sale at bargain prices.

When you start a small business you face lots of challenges. In order to improve your chances of beating the odds, what is important is that you educate yourself about business development. Starting and running a business, or any form of self-employment, requires a range of skills and attitudes. It can be very demanding. It’s important that you understand all the responsibilities you’ll have, and as many of the foreseeable challenges as you can.

On the other hand, it’s also important to recognize the rewards of working for yourself and providing a quality product or a needed service to your customers and the community. Working from home might seem to be cheaper than leasing or renting an office space, but in the current climate with lots of property available, office space rental isn’t the costly exercise you might think it to be. In fact, thanks to the recession, many landlords are simply eager to lease out their dead office space, and so as a result, prices are actually more competitive than ever.

You’ll be surprised at how cost effective this option can be and the extra benefit with renting an office space from Van Nuys Offices with one of their short-term contracts It also allows convenience and flexibility, which are both essential things when a business is in its fledgling state. Shop around, take a look at the deals – it could be the best thing you’ve done to date.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Leasing Commercial Office Space



Leasing commercial office space is one of the largest expenses you acquire when you are opening a new business or you're expanding your business. So it is important to do your homework.


Basically, a lease is much like a partnership agreement in that it sets out the restrictions of a business relationship. When everything goes as planned, most any lease will serve the parties well but the true test occurs when there are obstacles in the partnership. If the lease has not been carefully drafted, an obstacle can become a major problem for either of the parties.

Tenants often don’t read the entire "Standard Form Lease" or sometimes there is something they done understand what it means and if not appropriately brought to the landlords attention before the lease is signed , may not serve their interests when issues arise. On the other hand, a sophisticated tenant will often request changes to the lease that, if not fully understood, can cause unforeseen difficulties for the landlord as well.

Here are a few tips to help you when signing a commercial lease:
  1. First off, You always want to read the lease to its entirety, make sure you understand each term, word, clause or anything written. If you do not understand a term in the lease ask for clarification from a lawyer or knowledgeable disinterested party. Relying on the landlord or a listing agent to explain their lease is not a great idea because they could mislead you intentionally, or may not understand the lease themselves.


  2. How is your monthly rent calculated? The most basic equation for calculating a lease payment takes the number of square feet times the cost per square foot, then amortizes that over a 12 month span. It's important that you understand exactly what you are paying for and what expenses the landlord will cover. Are you responsible for any costs other than the rent? Are you responsible for paying for your own utilities and garbage pickup? It’s good to understand that ahead of time.


  3. If there is any repairs that need to be done before you can move in, have the landlord do repairs before you sign a lease. If any work is to be done after you take occupancy be sure this is detailed in the lease including work completion times. You do not want to have your business shut down for weeks at a time because of ongoing work. Remember that any changes or improvements you make on a commercial property, unless you own that property, becomes an improvement for the land owner. This is an area to surely negotiate with the landlord.


  4. The lease terms. Consider the growth that you expect to see in your company in the coming years. A short-term lease may be ideal if the growth is hard to forecast, but the downside to short-term leases is that lease rates tend to change. Sometimes long-term lease agreements have the option of expansion so that growth can be accommodated. Long-term leases are ideal when real estate rental prices are low and are forecasted to rise. Short-term leases tend to lead to more frequent moving, which presents costs of time and money.


In order to play it safe, budget a six-month timeline from day one until to move-in. This will allow your company enough time to plan, find space, negotiate the deal, install IT infrastructure, make minor cosmetic alterations and move in.

Monday, September 17, 2012

How do you start the idea process? "MY OWN BUSINESS"



Many people believe starting a business is a mysterious process. They know they want to start a business, but they don't know the first steps to take. . . . . . Understand that business startup isn't rocket science. It isn't easy to begin a business, but it's not as complicated or as scary as many people think, either. It's a step-by-step, common-sense procedure.
First step: Figure out what you want to do. Once you have the idea, talk to people to find out what they think. Ask "Would you buy and/or use this, and how much would you pay?" Determining what you want to do is only the first step. You've still got a lot of homework to do, a lot of research in front of you. One of the most common warnings you'll hear is about the risk. Everyone will tell you it's risky to start your own business. Sure, starting a business is risky, but what in life isn't? One of the best ways to determine whether your idea will succeed in your community is to talk to people you know. If it's a business idea, talk to co-workers and colleagues. Run personal ideas by your family or neighbors. Don't be afraid of people stealing your idea. Just discuss the general concept; you don't need to spill all the details.
Hopefully by now, the process of determining what business is right for you has at least been somewhat demystified. Understand that many people around you won't encourage you (some will even discourage you) to pursue your dream. Some will tell you they have your best interests at heart; they just want you to see the reality of the situation. Some will envy your courage; others will resent you for having the guts to actually do something. You can't allow these kinds of people to talk you out of starting your business or influence you to stop your journey before it even begins.

Follow Me on PinterestWhat will you lose if things don't work out? Don't risk what you can't afford. Don't risk your home, your family or your health. Ask yourself "If this doesn't work, will I be worse off than I am now?" If all you have to lose is some time, energy and money, then the risk is likely worth it. Van Nuys Offices Los Angeles, Ca Commerical Rentals

Friday, September 7, 2012

Money to Start a Small Business


Finding money to start a small business takes a lot of work. To start with you will need a good business plan and several leads for small business loans and grants. There are a number of available programs to assist startups, micro businesses, and underserved or disadvantaged groups. Start your capital search with a good business plan that shows investors and lenders your company's potential.

Follow that up with a thorough knowledge of the resources available and a determination to make your business a reality, and you should be on your way to uncovering a source that fits your new business's cash needs. There are several sources to consider when looking for financing. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the only place you can find the money you need is through the bank or finance company. Explore all of your options before making a decision.

The first place to look for financing is right at home and personal savings and assets are the easiest source of capital. If you have money set aside, you use it instead of borrowing or rounding up investors.

Next, turn to members of your family or close friends who have faith in you and want to see you succeed. Borrowing from a friend or relative is generally the most readily available source, especially when the capital requirement is smaller. Relatives and people you know need fewer assurances and are more open to your ideas than professional investors.

Angels are private investors interested in making more on their capital than they can make through traditional markets such as mutual funds or publicly traded stocks. These “angels” can be your accountant, attorney, doctors or other individuals who seek out new businesses to invest in return for equity ownership. Usually providing additional capital in the range of $25,000 to $500,000, expect angel investors to demand high returns for their investments.

Either way, there are risks and gains; what you take will depend on your tolerance for risk and your personal objectives. Van Nuys Offices

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Setting up Your New Office on a Budget

 

One of the most exciting part of starting up a small business is when it's time to set up office space at your new business location. You have to purchase furniture, equipment, computers, business machines, supplies (like paper and paper clips), shipping materials, and décor for your office. And we all know that this may be a huge expense. There are ways to keep the expense down if you create a budget and plan your purchases accordingly.

There are so many second hand stores where you can find great buys on office furniture that are used but look like new. Choose a theme for your office and keep it in line with the type of work you will be conducting. Also check the local newspaper for any businesses that may be closing up as they will be selling off their furniture as well. There is no need to purchase new office furniture during your startup phase. For example, place the printer on top of a file cabinet rather than buying a separate table for it. Van Nuys Offices

Besides the design of your office and furniture, you also have to start listing the various types of machines and equipment that you need in order to run your business efficiently. For instance, instead of purchasing a fax machine (which range from $100 to $200), keeping a supply of paper for it (between $3 - $5 per ream regularly), and the cost of an extra phone line (between $10-$40 per month), you can just get an online fax program.. You can send and receive faxes for your business and only print the faxes you need, for just $10 per month.

Now that you have the furniture & equipment you need for your office, it is time to supply it. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money if you have the storage space to keep the excess supplies. I recommend buying the generic brand for these basic office supplies. You will buy them at a lower cost and save a substantial amount of money. Generic products are a great business supply, and they are relatively cheap and inexpensive office products. You will hardly know the difference between them. Van Nuys Offices

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Starting a New Business



Opening a new business is a process that, by nature, is portrayed by different emotions—excitement, happiness, nervousness and extremely challenging. Many entrepreneurs will spend a lot of time planning their business tactics to the point of feeling overwhelmed and wanting to quit. But they continue because this is a dream they have and if they don't make a small sacrifice no one will make it for them.

When starting a new business, moving to a new location, opening a new branch or expanding your business, there will be start-up or one-time expenses. Know what these expenses will be. Just understanding the start-up process can make a big difference. Know what type of business you would like to start and learn all you can about it. Conduct thorough research of potential customers, your trade or industry, your competition, your licensing and tax requirements, location, and name.

Whether you use your own savings or obtain loans, starting a business requires money. The loan process can take months to complete, so start early. Lenders often request a completed business plan prior to approval of funding. It may seem obvious and simple, but the name is how your business will be known to the world. The right name says a lot about your company. Make a list of potential names choose one that best describes your company in a few words, one that is easy to remember, easy to pronounce and easy to spell. You'll also need to do research to see if there are a) similar business names and b) similar domain names.

There are definitely other important steps to getting a business off the ground. However, if you've taken the steps above, you will find yourself in a confident, business-ready position.
Van Nuys Offices

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Financing for Your New Business



One of the biggest challenges a startup business needs to address before jumping in to opening your own small business is getting financing. Just the idea of spending your life's savings can seem discouraging. Where can you get money to start your business?

Obviously, your first line of defense in finding a loan is going to people you know, including a wealthy cousin, a best friend, or a well-heeled neighbor. The good thing about financing your startup business with the help of family and friends is that you can often get fairly lenient repayment terms. That may be important in the initial years of your new business. They may give you a low interest rate and a long time to repay them. On the other hand, they might want a stake in your firm if you are agreeable.

One idea is to follow the twitter accounts of the sources that give funding for new businesses. These individuals and companies distribute their information primarily via Twitter. Follow these folks and you will be privy to sources of funding and breaking news regarding funding sources for your business.

SOURCES:
Small Business Loans and Grants
SBA Business Loans
Alliance Financing Group
Funding Universe

For more information visit our website: www.vannuysoffices.com

 



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Five Important Steps to Start Your Own Business




1. WRITE DOWN A BUSINESS PLAN The main biggest mistakes a young entrepreneur makes is not writing down a business plan. Not only is it a good planning tool, but it also the key element that will help you raise money. Include research into things like how much you can charge for your product/service, how much it will cost to produce or deliver.

2. FIND A LOCATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS Although the idea of starting your business at home is money saving there is many factors to look at when starting at home. Will the kids interfere? do you have space? If these in fact are going to be a problem. Then go out and look, for an office space. Remember

3. SIGN A LEASE Ask for a copy of the form lease from your potential landlord. Read it and try to understand it. If you don't understand the legalese, find an attorney. Start-ups should look for flexibility and try to sign as short-term a lease as possible. Understand the details of what you're committing to when signing the lease.

4. MARKET YOUR BUSINESS Even though social networks are essential, don't underestimate the old ways of marketing. Your business is barely kick starting so you need to get the word out, let people know of your business, what products or services you provide. Embrace and use the most effective online tools (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn) available to broadcast your news.

5. KNOW YOUR COMPETITION Many businesses fail because they underestimate the competition. Often, it is not necessarily the quality of that competition, just the mere presence of it. You may think that you can drive your competitors out or at least steal some nf their business by offering a better price or better service, but many businesses can breed an intensely loyal following of customers. WWW.VANNUYSOFFICES.COM

Monday, August 20, 2012

Setting up an Office



There are plenty of great reasons to set up a home office. One of the perks of working from home is being able to take breaks when you want to, spend time with family, etc. However, this can quickly eat up your day without you realizing it. Also, there’s nothing worse than picking up the phone with an important client and having a knock on your door or your child ask for something.  

This is the time you know  you have to go out and rent an office?  Before you go out and start looking for an office space copy down our tips and you will be ready to take your business to the next level.

TIPS:

1.    The most important task that will insure the success of this project is to start a budget. Unless you have an unlimited supply of money, the finances required to start an office will be your most limiting resource.

2.    Before you start looking around at offices, you must first determine how much office space you will need. Your time is valuable. Don't waste your time looking at offices that will be either too large or too small. Take the time to properly estimate how much office space you will need.

3.    Regardless if you will be working at home or in office space outside your home, you will need office furniture. Some office furniture will be expensive and some may be inexpensive.  Only get was is necessary.  I'm pretty sure you will find some furniture you really want but don't need, leave it.  After your business grows maybe you can get it.

4.    Last, but not least, are office supplies. This will most likely be the smallest line in your office startup budget, but it cannot be overlooked. Office supplies are not expensive but they must be accounted for in order to avoid spending more money than you have. Don't spend too much time on this task, but at the same time make sure it is not forgotten.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Choosing an Office Space



Running a business starts with creating a superior first impression, and when you need to impress your customers, your business address has a lot to do with creating that first impression. Finding the precise office space that works for your company is an important part of your business. There are many factors to consider in choosing the location for your business.

In the past, a real estate broker was essential to locate available office spaces, because that was the primary way most landlords marketed their space , by listing them with office space brokers. Today, the Internet provides many outlets for finding an office space quickly online and to one that matches your specifications.

Here are some tips to help you find the office space your business needs:
  • Amount of Space:    Decide on the maximum amount of space you will need for your business operation. The space has to work for you, or it won't work. Remember, you're the one has to work there every day.
  • Parking: Is it easy to find? Is parking close by? Consider your clients. If you're dealing with pregnant mothers and the elderly, they may have a different concept of "convenient".
  • Buildings Zoning: Many cities have very strict zoning requirements. Make sure your business is even allowed there before you sign the lease!
  • Can you expand?: Ask about the possibility of expanding or of getting first rights at adjacent space as it comes available. You want to stay flexible for future possibilities.
  • The Lease: Finally, look carefully at the lease document and take it to your attorney to be sure there are no surprises in the document.
Once you know you are ready for that office space then give Van Nuys Offices a call and we will be more than happy to assist you and get you into the office of your dreams. Call us at (818) 781-5006 or visit our website at www.vannuysoffices.com




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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Starting a Business in a Down Economy

Are you looking to start your own small business but think it’s not possible in these tough economic times? Think again!

Starting a business in a down economy can be a smart move: Prices for goods, services and labor are down while supply is up. For best results, think creatively and work strategically.  But it would be a mistake to let negative headlines prevent you from following your dream of starting your own company. In fact, many experts suggest that launching your new business during a down economy can actually be a savvy move.
In a time of plenty, people may be less likely to bother looking around for better deals. In contrast, an economic downturn inspires shoppers to think hard about their choices. This tendency can present a golden opportunity for the small business owner who knows how to market their product to budget-minded consumers.

At first, it may seem intimidating to think about starting up in a recession, but experts cite a number of successful businesses that were launched during difficult economic times. Examples include Hewlett-Packard, which started up in the Great Depression, and Microsoft - launched during a recession in 1975.
Van Nuys Offices  is eager to help with your small-business needs — we look forward to helping you take that first step in achieving the dream of owning your own business and having your first office.  Contact Us or visit us at 6360 Van Nuys Blvd. #200 Van Nuys, CA 91401.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Does My New Business Need a Website?

These days, whether you are starting a business or currently own one, you have to make sure your company has it's own website. A website is the key element to success, and many small business owners need to accept that fact. Once you've decided to take this step, you'll then need to form a relationship with your visitors, with strong communication.

But apart from fulfilling the public's expectations, a Web site will also help your business increase profits. Increasingly, people search the Web rather than the Yellow Pages when looking for a service or product. If they don't find your business represented, they will find your competitor 's.

You can also make business information available to everyone who wants it without any additional effort. You can give them answers to questions like: What are your hours? What do you do? How can someone contact you? Where are you located? What are today's specials? If you could keep your customers informed of every reason why they should do business with you, don't you think you could do more business? You can on the internet.

To get some indication of how immediate your need for a site is, check out the Web presence of your competitors. If none of them have a website yet then you're in luck but if they already do, then get to work fast. So you can spread the word about your business.