Many would-be but hesitant entrepreneurs miss taking the plunge into the business world because there are simply too many hurdles to jump. One of the biggest main hurdles is start-up capital, including money to lease and outfit an office or retail store. Especially for those entrepreneurs who require employees or other staff, a place to work may seem like an essential first step. However, whether you run your business solo or have employees, you can operate your business virtually without a home base.
What is a Virtual Company?
A virtual company is one that doesn’t operate under the same old paradigm of business. Most businesses have a location where clients or customers can visit, employees can get to work, and office supplies can be stored. However, a virtual company is one that focuses on communication, not the location. This means you can operate all functions of your company from home, including employees.
Get an Address
A physical mailing address is essential for any business. You can use your own home address, but most business owners prefer a separate address. Instead, rent a mailbox at private mail center like Mailboxes Etc. Here you can get a variety of mailbox sizes and get an actual street address and “suite” number, rather than a P.O. Box.
Equip Your Home Office
Your home office should have the essentials for communication: a computer, a fax, and a business line. In addition, you will probably want to equip your computer with a camera for virtual meetings and chats with your employees through online locations like Skype. Be sure that any employees you hire also outfit their home offices with chat-enabled features so you can talk with them at any time.
Find Places To Store Inventory
If you require inventory for a virtual retail business, start with your own home. Many eBay sellers use their garage or an extra room to house a pallet of inventory. You could even build a storage shed in your backyard or perhaps rent a small storage space. A virtual retail business can also do best when they set up a drop shipping relationship with a wholesaler.
A virtual company is not science fiction. You can easily set up a business without the brick and mortar. By doing so, you can save a great deal of money that can go towards marketing or other important startup costs.
