LocalWorks News

Why Entrepreneurs Shouldn’t Work from Home

Entrepreneurs all have one thing in common: they have the flexibility to choose where they want to work. Working for yourself means that you can decide where and when you want to work within limits of what would benefit your business.

However, even startups should be wary of running a business in their own home. While the work from home life sounds dreamy, it may not be the best option. On the bright side, there are other options available without having to commit to a traditional office space.

What Jobs Let You Work from Home?

Whether you are a startup business or you run your own private practice, there are plenty of jobs nowadays that allow you to work from home. Some of the best work from home jobs include:

  • Yoga instructors
  • Cosmetologists
  • Massage therapists
  • Tech jobs
  • Private practices
  • Social workers
  • Legal jobs

For private practices and startups, working from home can be hard. You will need a space that is inviting to clients/customers and provides you with all the amenities an office space should have. Working from home can become crowded long-term and motivate you to assess other options.

Top Reasons Not to Work from Home

While it is convenient on occasion, working from home can be hard long-term. Having other family members at home or a noisy neighborhood can be distracting when you are trying to work professionally. Here are the top reasons not to work from home.

YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL SPACE FOR CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS

If you have clients or customers that need to visit you in person, you want your space to reflect the professional level of your business. Working from home makes that difficult. You do not want to worry about whether your house is clean, organized, or large enough to accommodate whoever visits your “office”.

Having an office space away from your home makes your business more inviting to clients/customers. It also makes it easier for you to separate your private life from your professional one.

FAMILY CAN BE DISTRACTING

Working from home can be a great way to connect with family. However, if you need to get things done, family can also be a distraction. When you work from home with children, it is even harder.

Remote work from an office space outside of your home gives you freedom from family when you need it while still offering a great work life balance.

YOUR INTERNET IS UNRELIABLE

Do you ever have trouble with your Internet connection when working from home? Internet connections can be a common issue when working from home.

In an office building, Internet is a higher priority, since they need to accommodate everyone who comes in each day. It can often be more reliable than the connection you have at home because they invest more into it.

With a flexible office space like LocalWorks, Internet is included in the monthly price, making it hassle free for you to connect, communicate, and run your business.

YOU MISS OUT ON ABILITIES TO NETWORK

With a flexible office space, there are others in the building just like you that you can connect with. It is a great place for someone starting a business or for someone who needs more clients to go and spread the word about their own business.

While flexible office spaces are great for finding potential clients/customers, it can also be helpful in finding employees. If you work from home, you miss out on opportunities to talk to people around you about your company or private practice. In a standard office space, you don’t get the open workspaces that a flexible office space like LocalWorks provides, where like-minded individuals from different jobs can all work in the same open space.

YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOURSELF

There are a lot of expenses that come with running a business from your home. In addition to Internet, you will need to invest in good office equipment, including chairs, desks, tech, and printers.

Using a flexible workspace means that all the essential amenities are provided. LocalWorks even provides security for the building and 24/7 access to your workspace, so you can use it anytime just as you would be able to if it were in your own home.

How to Work Remote Without Renting an Office

Long-term rentals take away the flexibility that comes with remote work. When you find an office space to rent, it may require a multi-year lease. That is a long commitment for startups, small businesses, and private practices, where there is a lot of room for growth and uncertainty.

Instead of renting an office space, LocalWorks provides coworking spaces and flexible workspaces that are no-lease. The commitment is on a month-by-month subscription basis that comes ready with all the necessities to get straight to work.

With LocalWorks, you don’t have to stock your office yourself. All LocalWorks locations come readily equipped, so you can stay and work there as many months as you need.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a membership fee?

LocalWorks uses the term "membership fee" to refer to the fee that you pay in order to use the LocalWorks location and office. We do not use the term “rent” as there is no lease and members are not considered tenants.

What is included in the membership fee?

Your office space, wifi, utilities, and a desk/chair in your office is included.

How do I book a tour?

Choose your location on the website, select “Schedule a Tour” and choose a day and time that works best for you.

Do I need business insurance?

Yes. You should have business insurance to cover you in case of unforseen circumstances. Get insurance in minutes (and save 25%) here.

Will there be someone on the tour with me?

No, tours are self guided. You will have a LocalWorks concierge on the phone with you to answer any questions, help you select your office, and get signed up as a member. 

How will I be able to access the building on the self guided tour?

Once you arrive at the location for the tour, you will call the number in your confirmation email to receive a code to get in or approval to enter the building.

The office comes furnished, but am I allowed to bring my own furniture?

Upon request, you can remove our furniture and use your own.

Is there someone from LocalWorks on site daily?

Each location has an operations manager that will stop by weekly to make sure everything is running smoothly. We have a full support team available by phone, email or chat every day during business hours.

How will I be billed?

Your initial payment will consist of your first month's membership fee, security deposit, and setup fee. After that you will be charged on the first day of each month for that month's membership fee. You are required to keep a valid payment method on file, and late fees will accrue when payments fail. See our Terms for details.

How can I cancel my membership?

Simply email [email protected]. 30-day notice is required and you are responsible for your membership fee for the 30-day period following your notice.

Are conference rooms available to use?

Many of our locations have conference rooms. If available, conference rooms are booked using our members portal. Ask your LocalWorks sales representative if the location you are considering has a conference room.