qprev_HBB Manual 2.qxd - Small Business BC

Find Out if You are Permittedto OperateAre you Permitted to Operate?In the past decade, most municipalities in BritishColumbia have become much more tolerant ofhome-based businesses. However, many wouldbeentrepreneurs don’t realize how restrictive thezoning regulations in some municipalities stillare. Many severely limitthe size of home-based operations, including thenumber of employees allowed and the amount ofsignage displayed.Contact your local municipality to find out aboutregulations and restrictions.Expect to Be BusyAre you Ready for the Changes?A home-based business can absorb all your timeand energy – especially in the start-up phase.There is a major risk that as you devote so muchto your business, other parts ofyour life will be ignored. You may become aworkaholic. If managed properly, that sameenergy can help make a business succeed.Ignored, workaholism, like other addictions,isolates people from family and friends andcauses stress. In serious cases, this can leadto family breakdown and business failure.Try to be realistic. Things invariably take longerthan expected. Unforeseen difficulties canbecome very time-consuming to fix. During startup,there never seems to be enough time in theday to accomplish everything.• Expect to be very busy launching yourbusiness, so build plenty of reserves into yourplanning.• Leave extra space in your schedule to catch upand so avoid becoming overwhelmed.Make the Right DecisionHow honestly have you considered the influencea home-based business will haveon different parts of your life – family, social,professional, personal?Try discussing your situation with a personwhose judgement you can trust. For best results,this should be an acquaintance who can becompletely objective rather than a familymember or close friend.Ask this person to tell you frankly their opinionabout the following:• Have I carefully assessed my reasons forwanting to be home-based?• Have I clearly considered what will be neededpersonally to succeed?• Have I checked-out the reactions of familymembers and enlisted support?Use the feedback you get from this conversationto make possible changes toyour business goals. You may conclude thatrunning a business from home isn’t realistic atthe moment. Perhaps you should delay yourstart-up until you have fewer responsibilities.Perhaps you should start part-time, living offother regular income.Remember, starting a home-based business isa lifestyle choice, not simply another careeroption. Where you live is primarily a home, not aplace of business. This means the business willconstantly have to make adjustments to survivein its home location. Make sure you have alsorealistically considered, and rejected, thepossibility of locating the business elsewhere.solutions for small business home-based business 9