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If you’re like me (wife, mother, someone who despises traffic), then you’ve probably dreamed about starting a work-from-home (WFH) business. Running a WFH business could mean that you leave the house when you choose (except when you have children to drop off and pick up from school). You have reduced overhead expenses and there's more flexibility to get stuff done.

But is it right for you?

Here are some questions to help you decide. 

• Are you a self-starter? 
• Do you have a reliable internet connection?
• Do you have good time management skills?
• Do you have a dedicated workspace at home?
• Do you have a reliable computer with up-to-date software?
• Can you work alone?

1. Are you a self-starter?

Many of us came from the traditional working environment...and you're probably still there too. I'm referring to the environment where a supervisor or manager tells you what tasks need to be done. And usually, you are given deadlines for the completion of these tasks.

When you become a WFH business owner, you are the boss. I'll repeat that. YOU ARE THE BOSS!!

I put this in caps with exclamation marks so you fully understand the role you play.

Owning a business means that you are in charge. It also means that you need to have self-discipline. In other words, you have no boss or coworkers to keep you on track. If you decide to spend a few leisurely hours scrolling through Social Media, nobody will be around to tell you it’s time to get back to work.

If you said yes to being a self-starter, hats off to you!

If you’re not sure if you have what it takes to be the boss, try working at home in stages. Start with a few hours a day and see how it goes before diving in completely. The time of day will be dependent on your current work situation. 

2. Do you have a reliable internet connection?

Picture these 2 scenarios.

• You are in the middle of a call with a potential client and your internet drops. 
• Your video looks blurry or your audio is distorted throughout a presentation because of poor internet connection.
• There’s a delay between your audio and what your viewers see on the screen. 

Messed up, right?

To successfully support your clients virtually, you need a reliable internet connection. 

To be 'present' at virtual events, you need a reliable internet connection. 

To conduct effective online meetings with colleagues, you need a reliable internet connection. 

Ok, I think you get the point.

While you have no control over unexpected drops due to power surges, be selective about your internet service provider. Do your research to find out which is the best one and choose a plan that best suits your household needs.

3. Do you have good time management skills?

On a scale of 1-5, how would you rate your time management skills?

If it's a low rating, it's not the end of the world. This is only one factor in determining if a work-from-home business is for you.

Most people who are new to working at home struggle to maintain work-life harmony. If you don’t separate from work at the end of the day, you might be tempted to keep working. This is especially true when there are so many things to do. You might also experience interruptions from activities in your personal life while working.

Remember you are the boss so you will need to know how to manage your time.  The best way to confront this challenge is to realize what a formidable challenge it is and take steps to combat it. Here are some tips.

Tip #1

Set a work schedule and make the effort to stick to it. Also, make sure to let your family know when you’re at work.

Tip #2

Keep track of your tasks and daily activities by using a task management tool. I like Todoist. I used it for 3 years with a client and I found it to be very helpful for tracking personal and business tasks. Learn more about Todoist here: https://doist.grsm.io/uayltpeg9f5m

Tip #3

To effectively schedule appointments and avoid overbooking, I recommend TidyCal. Why? Because it's easy to use and you could start it for free or pay a small fee for lifetime access. Simply create your meeting type and share your link via text message, your social media account, or your website. 

Tip #4

Manage distractions. Turn off notifications from emails and social media. Resist the urge to check them when you’re not “on the clock”.

4. Do You Have A Dedicated Workspace at Home?

Whether you plan to offer virtual services or sell physical products from your home, a dedicated workspace is essential. Choose an area that is conducive to working. In other words, it should facilitate work with little or no distractions.

You’d also want your workspace to be comfortable. As a service-based business owner, you will be spending many hours on the computer. Therefore, you should aim to have a suitable desk and chair.

For more information on this, check out my blog post Creating the Right Workspace for Your Virtual Assistant Business.

5. Do you have a reliable computer with up-to-date software?

You need to ensure you have what you need to do your job...and that includes a reliable computer with up-to-date software.  

If you're wondering what software I am referring to, examples are Google Workspace and Microsoft Office. These are widely used because of the range of applications they provide under one umbrella.

You should also check your computer's processor, storage, etc to ensure efficiency. Conduct system updates if they are not done automatically on your device.

6. Can you work alone?

Many people who work from home find it to be a lonely experience. You lose the commute and all the hassles of working at the office, but you also lose social contact.

Now, you may not be alone all of the time. For example, you may have young children at home or you may be caring for a family member at your home. So, in these instances, you are not alone...but, you are working alone.

Are you ok with that?

As a WFH business owner, you usually spend most of your time working by yourself. If this sounds like a big fat NO to you, then you should decide if you wish to pursue this career path. 

However, I will say, there are ways to break the monotony. You can work from home without it feeling like a drag. These are some of the things I do:

• I work from a different location e.g. a cafe 
• I invite my business partner to my home so we could do a co-working/brainstorming session.
• I attend weekly online co-working sessions.
• I take breaks to talk with friends or family members.

So the bottom line is that there are ways to cope with the lonely moments. 

Final Thoughts

Starting a WFH business has its benefits and challenges. There are many moving parts. However, you can learn the necessary skills if you truly have the desire to own one. 

I identified six questions to help you determine if a work-from-home business is for you. For more in-depth discussions to help you figure it out, I suggest you check out this training below.