Month: December 2017

Archives for December 2017

Tips for Starting a New Business in 2018

With the new year come new plans, new ideas, and new goals. And while this is all great, before you go starting any new venture or business, it’s important to carefully consider various things. Starting a business is no easy task, and often, lack of planning is what eventually drives many new businesses to close.

So, what can you do to make sure that if you start a business in 2018 it will still be around in 2019, 2020, and beyond?

Research your market

Start off by conducting some market research. If you’ve already got an idea, it’s important to research more about it to make sure that there is an actual demand for the service or product you will be offering. If you aren’t set on anything yet, market research can help you identify gaps in the market that can later inspire new and innovative ideas.

Develop a business plan

When starting a business, people often have the goal in mind; however not everyone is as good at visualizing the path they need to follow to reach that goal. A business plan can help you clarify this path. A solid, sustainable business plans should take into consideration aspects such as financing and costs, logistics, marketing, initial investments, target audience, value proposition, distribution channels, and potential revenue streams. The business model canvas can be a good starting point.

In addition to this, also consider elaborating your company “one-pager”. This is an overview of your business, and in one page you need to clearly explain your service or product, your competitive advantage, and your target market.

Check for licenses and permits

Whether you’ll be selling a product or offering a service, make sure you check local as well as national laws and regulations. Establish whether you need any specific license or permit to operate, make sure you are clear on which tax structure you will be filing, and make sure your brand is registered under the right category.

Pick a location

There’s a reason the old adage of ‘location, location, location’ is just as relevant today as it was years ago. Where a business is located can help make or break the business. You need to strategically choose your location; consider if you need parking space or if your business would be better suited for a busy street where people are constantly walking by. Your location will have a significant impact on your costs, as well as on different permits, depending on your city or town.

Depending on your line of business, you can set up your office in a coworking or shared workspace environment. Specifically, these spaces can provide new businesses with networking opportunities and can help alleviate some of the initial costs.

Once you’ve covered these bases, it’s time to start working, operating, and marketing your business

5 Benefits of Using a Coworking Space in Weston

Coworking spaces were born out of the necessity for people to have access to inspiring spaces where they could work from, this was especially the case for freelancers and entrepreneurs that had a hard time working from home or coffee shops. Coworking has come a long way since, and it is now a top go-to workplace solution for startups, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and large enterprises across the globe.

Weston is no stranger to coworking, and local businesses of all sizes are embracing this type of workspace because of the benefits that it offers.

Cost-effective

Coworking spaces are all about sharing resources–knowledge, space, utilities, etc–and this makes them cost-effective, especially for new businesses or freelancers. Coworking’s flexible nature allows individuals and businesses to only pay for what they need or use, for as long or as little as they require. This flexibility means that the use of space and services can fluctuate depending on cash flow availability and company (team) growth, without incurring on too many costs and reducing risks. 

Flexibility

As mentioned above, coworking spaces offer flexibility. Flexibility of cost, flexibility of use, and flexibility of additional services. Whether a company or individual needs a private office, shared desk, dedicated desk, or just a meeting room, coworking spaces can easily adjust to different needs and requirements on a case-by-case basis, including whether the space is needed by the hour, day, week, month, or year. Additionally, most coworking spaces offer the option to add services to their membership; printing, call answering, mail handling, etc.

Location

Most coworking spaces are located in coveted or renowned areas. By using a coworking space, businesses and individuals can boast an office in a prime location, but at an affordable cost. A great workplace is one that is easy to access by private transportation, public transportation, or alternative commuting options like biking or walking. Take for example our Weston coworking space; it is strategically located to where people can access it via I-595, I-75 and The Sawgrass Expressway.

Networking and Collaboration

Entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, small businesses, and large enterprises are all using coworking spaces. In any given coworking space, you will find that there is an interesting mix of people that work in different lines of business. This, combined with the various events that coworking spaces typically offer, provides a great opportunity for networking and collaboration.

Productivity

Coworking spaces offer different types of workstations within their centers, whether that is private offices, meeting rooms, lounges, or common areas these spaces provide individuals with choice when it comes to how and where they work. Because these spaces also tend to incorporate modern tech-infrastructure, they empower individuals to be their most productive self, regardless of the time of day or the type of work they need to get done.

Another factor that contributes to productivity is the feel and buzz of coworking spaces. All day long you will encounter people who are passionate about what they do and are working non-stop, which rubs off on others, inspiring them to work and be more productive.

If you’d like more information on the perks and benefits of coworking in Weston, click here

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