Home & Office
- Lynn Chefren
- Oct 17, 2020
- 3 min read
As many of us learned the last few months, creating an office space within our home can be challenging. It may mean making an existing space serve double or even triple duty, or giving up a dedicated space for guests to create a true office.
Whatever your unique situation there are so many things to consider: furniture, technology, your videoconference background.
When I began thinking about setting up CLBC last year, I knew having a dedicated office space would be essential. Working from home in my last position meant balancing my laptop and having papers scattered across the floor, while sitting in my reading chair. I struggled with whether to rent office space or try to carve out space in my home. As a start-up, I knew the cost of leasing an office space could be a drain on my cash flow. Plus, I envisioned my business as flexible - meeting clients on their schedule, where they felt comfortable, and utilizing technology like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime, when a face-to-face meeting wasn't possible.
Then the world changed and EVERYONE was working from home.
That clinched the idea for me, if the world was moving toward a virtual work environment, why shouldn't I start that way?
Home office, it was. But where? I live in the small, farm house I grew up in. The only extra space was the spare bedroom. I hated to take away area, but as a family we agreed it would be the best option. So out went all of the existing furniture but one piece - a cedar chest my Dad built when he was in high school, which will never leave this house.
While I began the process of legally establishing CLBC, I began to work on the essentials of what I'd need to run a business: a computer, a printer, a desk, a chair, a filing cabinet, a book shelf. Then I remembered the little things, like lamps, a garbage can, a stapler. Luckily, I scavenged items from our house and a few from my Dad's man cave in the barn. Chair - check, garbage can - check, lamps - check, stapler - check (I swiped my Grandmother's vintage, metal Swingline pictured below).
But I still needed the "big" items. Finding a desk was a chore because our house is small, and getting any of the desks I found at estate sales, auctions, or online into the new office was impossible. The only option? Buying a new desk and filing cabinet. That wasn't easy either, as everyone was buying desks and so many options were sold out in stores and online. I luckily found a desk and matching filing cabinet online - which arrived in three, hefty, flat packed, boxes. Then I assembled everything myself, in the office. It was a project and I'm proud of how it all came out.
An office is more than furniture, it's the little things that create a space we feel comfortable working in daily. The next things to be added to CLBC's office were family pictures, plants, and tchotchkes, the little things bring us comfort.
I was lucky to recruit my Dad (even with a busted wing) to help me hang my diplomas and certificates that had been in storage. Then my big brother contributed a fantastic antique desk chair for my clients to use. After a little elbow grease it shines like new.
The office is still a work in progress, but being able to slowly build a space that satisfies my needs, and allows me to best help CLBC's clients has truly been fun.
Even more, by working from home, there are certain expenses I avoid. I can pass those savings along to my clients by keeping CLBC's rates competitive. I can also adjust my work schedule to accommodate CLBC's clients and their lives, while also being able to take care of my family, too.
If you think myself and CLBC could help you with your legal questions, please reach out via our Contact Us page on the website, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
I look forward adding new clients to CLBC's roster, and adapting my home office to best serve those clients.
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