This wonderful yet challenging quote from John Ortberg was not originally meant to apply to a home based entrepreneur, but it sure fits. Your boat represents safety and security. Your boat is where you take shelter when life gets stormy. Your boat is whatever pulls you away from taking the next step in growing your business. Your boat is keeping you from making the leap to a more professional image for your clients.
It is not easy to leave your boat. It does provide a sense of financial security. Yet, it could also be putting up a roadblock to even more success. Stepping out of your comfort zone provides the opportunity to network with others in an ever-widening circle. You never know where or when the ripples will lead to a new sale or opportunity for service.
Perhaps you were under the impression that it would be a huge expense to create an office outside of your home. Well, it can be, but it doesn’t have to be. You have options – lots of them. Have you ever heard of a virtual office? The word virtual means “being such in power, force or effect, though not actually or expressly such”. So… a virtual office would give your clients the impression that you have a full-time physical office – you must be successful! In reality, you might have a mailing address, telephone reception, and use of a meeting room, much less expensive options than full-time office rental. You might have a receptionist and office manager too, but these folks would be shared with many others, another way to look successful but spend just a little.
Many home-based businesses are taking advantage of this somewhat well-kept secret. Why? A virtual office provides a wall of separation between your private life and your business life. Clients do not need to know where you and your family reside. Your clients will also appreciate meeting with you in a professional conference room rather than a noisy household with children, television and pets or the clatter and chatter of occupants in a local coffee shop.
The other wonderful advantage of participating in a virtual office environment is that it can also connect you with a network of other businesses who also use that virtual office. You may find referral sources for your business or sources of referrals for your clients.
So what are you waiting for? “Let your fingers do the walking” as the old jingle goes and Google a virtual office provider today!
Submitted by Linda Grund, Center Manager for STAT Office Solutions in Wilmington, Delaware. This business center provides both physical and virtual office services to clients around the world.
