How to Save $53,880 and Mobilize your Business

Rent per month for a decent office = $2500

Salary per month for a receptionist: 7.75 x 160 = $1240

Misc. expenses (power, coffee filters, office furniture) = $750

Total per month: $4490 x 12 months = $53880

Now this is a small figure compared to what small businesses spend all in the name of overhead. Most people consider this something that is a necessary evil, because how can you run a business with an office?

Well I for one do. My office is 16″ by 12″ inches & weighs about 15 pounds at its heaviest. I have everything in it I need to set up an ‘office’ wherever I go and do business, call clients, schedule meetings and manage my ‘team’ of employees who actually all work virtually from the comfort of their own homes.

my mobile office

I challenge any small business owner or entrepreneur (or aspiring ones) to think about this kind financial freedom & mobility. You may have a million excuses why this model couldn’t work for you but I dare you to at least ponder it. Even companies that have a brick and mortar ‘store’ can cut costs substantially by working out of a home office instead of a physical office with a support staff. In the digital world going small is the new big and in the wake of a global recession saving thousands of dollars a year could potentially make or break a small business.

I got a lot of my strategies for tiny-sizing my office from the book The E Myth and Getting Things Done. I encourage anyone serious about starting a business or interested in making more out of the one they currently have to check both of these priceless resources out from your local library. Or heck buy them on Amazon used for a few bucks, its worth it.

These are some of my best cost saving resources:

Virtual Assistants Rock!

• Hire internationally. I know that this topic can cause quite a back lash, many people think out sourcing is taking jobs away from those in your home country. I disagree. I think of myself as a ‘global enterprise’ (granted in our baby stages) but nonetheless global. I hire people all over the world and maybe one day will hire some at home as well. But for now this model works perfectly, when I first started I couldn’t of afforded to hire web developers & designers at the prices they charge in the US. Look at VA4U.com and onlinejobs.ph

• Work rent free. You gotta have a physical location to do some work, and you need Wi-Fi thats fast & maybe something to drink (like coffee)… but why do you have to pay more than a few bucks a day for it? I like to tell people I do business out of locations all across the country and its true. My ‘office’ is Starbucks, I pay $20 a month for their super fast internet & an additional $2-3 a day for green tea (its better for you than coffee!). When clients want to meet with me, I suggest… drum roll please.. Starbucks! Also I have the comfort of knowing no matter WHERE i go in most of the civilized world Starbuck’s insane global domination will be there. Offering me reliable internet, a comfortable desk & a delicious tea to top it all off.

• Get a prestigious address for your business card. In most cities their are certain streets where are the big businesses like to dwell. Even a nice sounding street name like Roosevelt or something can work. Find a UPS store (UPS specifically) and get a mail box. They will give you your number for the mailbox, say 87 & their street address following. Now when you print up your business cards you are going to be: Joe Bloe, Suite 87, 1990 Roosevelt Drive. Instead of the decidedly more less professional P.O. Box or home address.

Liked this small business advice? Hated it? Want to ask me what my favorite Starbucks location in the world is? Comment below & let me know your out there!