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By Lizzie Weakley

Many small businesses can trace their roots back to humble beginnings as a domestic enterprise based out of someone’s home. While there are plenty of challenges that you need to address when combining your professional and personal life, self-discipline and thoughtful preparation can make everything much easier. Maintaining a business from home is one thing, but fueling growth means making changes to your habits, environment and strategy. While shifting entirely to work from home can be adjustment, it can pay dividends to your mental health and financial well-being.

Separate the workspace

Dedicating a room or area of the house as a workspace is usually ideal. This makes it easier to mentally separate your personal and professional life as well as create a space where you can work without distractions. Dedicating the furniture, computers and other things inside the room purely for business also makes deducting expenses on yearly taxes a simpler task. If you haven’t already, making internet and bank accounts strictly for your business can be a help with this as well.

Expand your network capabilities

A mediocre internet connection may be fine for puttering around the internet in the evenings, but it can be a frustrating handicap when running a business from home. That’s why you should consider investing in higher quality utilities and upgrading your digital infrastructure to ensure fast, reliable service. You don’t necessarily need a collection of brand-new computers and devices but struggling with faulty or outdated equipment will get in the way of growing your company. Even ensuring a plug-in connection to the internet from your PC can be a tremendous help.

Embrace software solutions

Small businesses can also take advantage of a wide range of software solutions that streamline and integrate essential information and processes. Managed cloud services are a popular choice for small and mid-sized companies, as it allows them to avoid taking on full-time technical staff for limited needs. It can also open up new digital storage options. If you work with a lot of video or other digital media, having more cloud space can make a huge difference. Working with a reliable NetSuite provider or a customer reputation management (CRM) tool can also provide a big boost to growth potential.

Invest in tools and equipment

Even if you rely on computers and internet connectivity for most of your essential business functions, you should also consider equipping yourself for success throughout the office. A comfortable chair that supports healthy posture or a standing desk to encourage more mobility throughout the day are both valuable assets. Quality storage solutions are also a must-have for businesses that revolve around creating or shipping physical products. These simple changes to your office can make a incredible contribution to your wellbeing.

Creating a professional enterprise in a domestic space isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely an achievable goal if you can stay motivated and focused on the job. Digital tools are particularly powerful assets for home-bound professionals, as they allow for expansion of services and team growth without a need to upgrade the physical space.

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Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.