Home Based Business Resources: Is an Office Business Center For You?

With the summer winding down and kids back in school, many home-based business owners are looking to achieve more ambitious business goals this fall. Whether you want to earn more money, improve your services or expand your operations, you might consider an Office Business Center (OBC). If this is a possibility for you, then there is a resource out there that might be able to help: the Office Business Center Association International (OBCAI). If you’re considering a move from your basement to a bigger office space, OBCs offer home-based entrepreneurs the ability to move into a more professional environment without the huge investment of time and money that purchasing or leasing commercial real estate can entail.

"The cost to rent an OBC is about half of what it typically takes to equip and staff a commercial space," says Troy Fabish, OBCAI President. In addition to the economic advantage, there are other benefits to using an OBC:

• The business image can be improved. You can entertain clients without having them trip over your kid's Barbie dolls and baseball gear on their way to your office. 
• Business owners might benefit from establishing a separation between work and home. Being able to leave an actual office at the end of the day can help entrepreneurs strike a balance between their business and personal lives.
• OBCs are typically located in easy-to-find, high-profile areas. By relocating to an OBC, a home-based entrepreneur doesn't have to worry about his or her business being out of the public eye. 
• Networking opportunities increase. Entrepreneurs might find potential clients, friends or mentors among other business owners at the OBC.
• Valuable work time is not lost on setting up a new office.  Entrepreneurs can focus on what they do instead of where they do it, since most OBCs come fully furnished. Some even offer a receptionist as part of the rental agreement, so there's no need to hire additional staff.
• As the client base expands, so can the space.  Most OBCs offer flexible leases, so you can expand your office space as your business grows.
• A huge financial commitment isn't necessary. OOBCs do not require multi-year leases, expensive lease-hold improvements or make-ready expenses.

If you are interested in more information, visit  http://www.obcai.org and click on 'Find an Office Near You.'