Now more than ever people are flocking to remote jobs. Some may even make it a requirement during their job hunt. And now more and more Americans want to build an at-home business. Not only for convenience but also as a means of pursuing their entrepreneurial dreams. With great flexibility and low overhead costs, it’s appealing to take a first step on the entrepreneurial journey. For approximately 15 million Americans, the potential for financial independence with a home-based venture makes an attractive option.  However, starting a business from home requires careful planning and execution to ensure long-term success and scalability. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to get you started.

A productive routine at home

It doesn’t matter if you’re a full-time remote professional or you only work on your home-based venture in your spare time. One of the biggest challenges for a successful at-home business is maintaining your productivity. That’s where having a strict routine can make a big difference. Having your set “office hours” as well as scheduled break times will keep you on track. It may be tempting to do chores, watch TV, or shop online. But you have to remember that even though you are at home, you are also still at work.

Furthermore, don’t get caught up in your work. It can be easy to build an at-home business whenever with such a convenience of working from home. But it’s just as important to know when to stop your work day. Your house should still be a place to relax. But if you feel like working from home is turning your sanctuary in to a constant work environment, you may want to consider having your own office space in a spare bedroom or in a granny flat. This will allow you to close the door on your office at the end of the day and put it out of your mind.

Additionally, you want to optimize your tech use. Ensuring you’ve got the right tools and software solutions is only the beginning. You also want to make sure you know how to make the most of your work devices to leverage productivity and manage your time more effectively. 

Funding solutions to build your at-home business

The key to growth is money. You can’t level up your business without enough capital. But capital, as you may have guessed, is not easy to generate yourself. That’s why you want to investigate the best options for your needs: 

• Pitching to investors. Take your time to research your audience group and niche market. This will help you to present a fully relevant and informed value proposition. Investors seek compelling pitches that highlight the growth potential of each venture. So the more prepared you are, the better!
• Selecting the right investors or partners. Just because someone is ready to invest in your venture, it doesn’t mean you should embrace all offers. In fact, it is worth researching investors and comparing their GIPS performance to ensure they are trustworthy. 
• Apply for a loan. Either personal or commercial, depending on your options.
• Run ads on social media. This route is far less lengthy and expensive. You will still easily be able to fund your growth without breaking the bank or taking out a line of credit.

Keep in mind though that not all businesses require capital! Many successful at-home businesses are formed and run using dropshipping. This allows businesses to start and grow without upfront costs. With easy connections through popular hosting websites like Shopify or WordPress, all you have to do is pick your products, market them, and rake in the money! Your profit margins may be smaller than if you had your own equipment. However, during the beginning phases of your business, you can really focus on what works and what doesn’t. And from there, once you start scaling your at-home business, you can then switch to owning your own equipment.

Building a supportive community

Business communities can serve multiple purposes, from providing valuable guidance to building value-generating connections. A strong and supportive community can contribute to long-term success. First and foremost, you need to be on social media. You will want to create social media pages for most social media platforms under your business name. From there, create your brand voice and persona. Is your business more fun and conversational or is it more serious and direct? Who do you want to attract as a potential customer? Direct your posts towards them and you will soon start to see your social media following growing.

But it’s not just about growing your community through social media. Additionally, it is worth reaching out to existing business networks to connect with experts, mentors and potential partners and suppliers. Your community will help your business reach the next step of its growth. Whether it be through fans of your business or other businesses that will help you expand.

Starting an at-home business is an exciting journey that requires careful planning and strategic execution to enable long-term growth. Is it going to be easy? Of course not. But your efforts are more likely to be fruitful once you’ve managed productivity, financing, and audience.