A unique situation
occurs when a business is operated out of the home. Conflict can result from the
infringement of the customer/business interaction on family functioning. A family
and business does not integrate successfully in the same space without some planning.
Five areas of family functioning are likely to be affected.
Family
cohesion. Each household will need to answer the following: 1)What will the
business demand from the home space? 2)What does the family need from the space
in the home? 3) How can you develop a management plan for household space use
that best accommodates your family and your business?
Personal
and family time schedules. If the schedules of family members are fixed and
intermeshed (one car and each person needs to be on time for various commitments),
a business would have to meet this time schedule. It would be difficult to retail
items such as paintings and crafts if customers stop by anytime.
Use
of space. Is your business one which requires storage space, an area for customer
interaction, specialized tools and equipment, or convenient access for pickup
and delivery? Is confidentiality a problem? The arrangement of space may affect
ongoing family activities. The most convenient part of the house for customer
interaction, pickup and delivery is often the most shared and public parts of
the house (kitchen, living room, etc.).
Space separations
must be maintained for deductions as business expenses for tax purposes. One must
determine if this part of the house has too many uses that are part of the pattern
of your family's life to also be used in the business.
There
are many different types of home-based businesses, but they can be grouped into
broad categories: production/service; consulting or counseling; sales or marketing
and mail order. These different types of businesses have different space needs.
Thinking about what category describes your business can help you begin to think
about space needs. Think about storage space, space for tools and equipment, production
space, area to meet with clientele, pickup and delivery and office space.
The
Neighborhood. How do your neighbors feel about a business in the neighborhood,
and do city and county codes permit your business to be established in the neighborhood?
Higher traffic in the neighborhood may cause disenchantment among friends and
neighbors. A seamstress may consider fitting garments at the client's house or
secure alteration business through a clothing store or dry cleaners in order to
preserve the character of the neighborhood, for example.
Shipping
and deliveries could be made to a U.S. postal service box or parcel service branch
office to avoid unwanted truck traffic.
Risk handling
behavior. Another aspect of family functioning which relates to a business
at home is the family's attitude toward risk. Some are risk seekers who look for
opportunities to be tested, willingly take financial risks, and promote novelty
and change in their lives. Others tend to avoid change and desire a secure environment
at home and around the family.
For
complete information and worksheets order, "Can You Live Where You Work...And
Work Where You Live?", publication 354-306, from the Virginia Cooperative
Extension Service, Distribution Center, Landsdowne St., Virginia Tech, Blacksburg,
VA 24061-6192. Publication cost is $1.50.
Kathleen Tweeten,
Community Economic Development Specialist
Dale Zetocha, Director of Technology
Transfer
