Anyone have an office outside of your home?

ScootchsMom · 04-28-2007, 01:24 PM

Do any of you have an office outside of your home?

I'm not ready to go renting one yet, but eventually I'm going to have to. We already run DP's business out of our apartment, and it is annoying. I'm not comfortable having clients at my home, but would love to not have to travel to them for initial meetings. I also would like to seperate business from home life, as much as is possible.

So for those that have an office: How big is your office? Do you have enough room to teach classes, like CBE or HBOB or do you do those somewhere else? Do you think having an office helps seperate work from the rest of your life? Is it worth the money spent on rent?

Liz

tlcdoula · 04-28-2007, 05:56 PM

I have an office and I love it. I do definitely feel that it separates work from home!!! My office has a waiting area, three separate rooms and then one very small room. Of course, I do many things in my office (hypnosis, massage, teach classes, have interviews, etc). I love it and yes I do teach my classes in it. My old office only had two rooms and a waiting area and I liked it much more and it was easier to teach classes - this one the rooms are smaller so no large room for teaching any of the classes but I make do.

Neshama · 04-30-2007, 03:05 PM

No, I dont. I really can see how it would be useful!

Mile High Doula · 04-30-2007, 03:07 PM

I want one so I can expand dramatically.

SabbathD · 04-30-2007, 11:05 PM

oh.....dreaming of an office now....

ScootchsMom · 05-01-2007, 07:41 AM

Michelle..thanks

I'm in the same boat as you other ladies. But I have to make some money first, lol.

Liz

tlcdoula · 05-01-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScootchsMom

Michelle..thanks

I'm in the same boat as you other ladies. But I have to make some money first, lol.

Liz

Well, I will admit I jumped into this head first without making the money first

I have to admit I was paranoid in January as I sunk lower in debt and February I made a little more but still behind, and thankfully in March and April I made enough to pay the rent and some profit. I am hoping it will only continue to up from here.

fourgirlsforme · 05-01-2007, 09:25 AM

I don't yet, but when I am done training I will be joining the women's centre I work at as an associate. I will basically pay a percentage each month to use the offices and get my info on all their brochures, advertising etc. I will also be able to accept Visa, MC and debit. I am a receptionist there and will be able to talk to the clients about what I do, they will know me already and the best part is that probably 80% are pregnant!! We still have to work out all the details, but it is sooo exciting

DoulaRissa · 05-02-2007, 02:15 AM

I don't, but have been thinking about it lately.

DH owns a small company in town. His office has 3 buildings - totalling 5500 sq ft. The main/large building is the formal/office building. I was thinking of turning the back office (an old manager's office, so quite large with lots of windows) into my doula room. Mostly for teaching. I plan to teach Happiest Baby classes and Bradley classes in the future. When I have time, more classes too. Right now I do client interviews at their home and prenatals wherever they're comfy (their home, my living room).

My other option is we have a 16x20 office behind our house. It's carpeted, electricity and has a window. Nothing special, and DH uses it as his work from home office right now. I'm trying to decide which is more professional or if it even matters since some Bradley people teach from their home anyways. Parking around our house sucks versus DH's office complex has a huge lot. But it'd be nice not to have to drive 20 minutes each way to go teach classes in the evening.

Either way, my options are free - well there's the redecorating costs, but we pay mortgages on both already, so at least I've got rent covered and 2 good options.