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

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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

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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

 

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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

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.

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

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.

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.

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