All The Comforts Of Home – Or Home Office!

With the continued explosion of small business startups these
days, home office setups are becoming more and more of an
issue. You need all the standard equipment of a brick and
mortar business, but can you afford them? And does it really
make a difference? The answer to both questions is yes!

Many home business entrepreneurs feel that if they don't have
clients stopping by, they don't need to have a good office
setup. An old desk, your child's forsaken bookshelf, a chair
from the kitchen table, and a miscellaneous table or two will
work just fine. The rest is just fluff.

However, consider these things. Every human being responds to
his/her surroundings in one form or another. When your "office"
looks like a professional place of business, you actually
respond by being more professional with your clients and
vendors. But more importantly, "leftover" desks and chairs
are normally not as comfortable as furniture specifically
designed for an office. When you spend a tremendous amount
of time at your desk, you physically need it to be as
comfortable as possible.

Chairs that provide little support, desks that don't offer
enough space or aren't ergonomically correct, and a setup that
does not lend itself to ease and functionality often cause
back, neck, shoulder, and eye strains. These may only manifest
themselves in the form of fatigue at first, but eventually can
develop into more serious conditions.

If you intend to work at home full-time, make sure you have
the best "equipment" you can have. You'll need a chair designed
to offer full support over long periods of time. You'll want a
desk that offers ample space, with a keyboard tray to help
prevent shoulder strain. You'll also need your monitor placed
at eye level and to have even, "natural" lighting in the room.

Think you can't afford all these things? Sure you can! Check
your local phone directory for "used office furniture." You'll
be amazed at the bargains you can find. I recently purchased
a used desk that was in perfect condition for only $225. The
"new" price was $650. Office chairs, bookcases, printer stands,
lamps, and all types of other office furniture were available
at 50%-80% off. I could have revamped my entire office for the
price of one desk bought at retail.

Other options? Check your Sunday newspaper for "going out of
business" postings, auctions, and used furniture listings.
There are bargains to be found everywhere.

When it comes to your small business, you need to consider
yourself and your well-being first. After all, if YOU aren't
in good shape, how can your business be? With a little
investigation, you can have all the comforts of home
(or home office) for a fraction of the cost.