Keeping Your Business Professional While Working From Home

Sep 7

Hey, remember the emotional rollercoaster that was 2020? The pandemic turned our lives upside down! It forced us to rethink our daily routines, especially when it came to work. Suddenly, we were all about that "new normal." But you know... It wasn't all bad.

Seeing so many lives lost during the pandemic made us value the fragility and preciousness of life. We started taking self-care and mental health seriously. Spending time with family, trying new things, cooking a loaf of bread for the first time, or even making "dalgona coffee". Gone were the days of sacrificing our well-being for the sake of a "stable" job. Nah, we were all about setting boundaries saying no to toxic environments and enjoying our lives. "Quiet quitting" became the new cool thing to do, as millennials and Gen-Zers once again shocked our older family members by "quietly disengaging from their jobs without quitting", meaning we didn't care as much or chose to lessen the amount of energy we invested in it.

Thanks to working from home, we had the freedom to manage our own time. Admit it, we probably had more productive days in our pajamas than ever before. Plus, who could forget all those eaten lunches, hydration goals met, and the mountain of laundry we tackled? It's like 2020 turned us all into self-care gurus without us even realizing it.

Did you know that even though the pandemic caused a lot of small businesses to close down, it also led to a whole bunch of new businesses popping up? People who had been stuck in jobs they hated finally took the plunge and started their own thing. We're talking accountants starting their bookkeeping LLCs, marketing interns setting up their print-from-home sticker shops, and tons of other folks starting small businesses from home. In 2021, the United States saw the highest number of "New Business Applications" filed in American history. It's pretty heart-warming and motivating to see how many folks turned dire situations into inspirational stories.

In 2021, we saw people slowly trickling back into their offices. Yeah, it wasn't the full-blown return to normal we expected, 'cause a bunch of companies stuck with remote work for the money-saving perks. Little did we know, this remote work setup sparked a wave of fresh entrepreneurial spirit. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, and the Chamber of Commerce revealed that nearly half of all small businesses took root right from the comfort of home.

U.S. Annual Business Applications

Now, I can almost hear you pondering, "How exactly does one run a successful business sitting in their sweats in a home office? Or can a small business growing from a guest bedroom truly exude professionalism while doing so?"

Hold that thought and let us share five tips and tricks on some trade secrets that have made our own business successful!

01 CREATE YOUR OWN CORNER OR HOME OFFICE

Let's talk about creating your very own corner or home office. Now, we get it - not everyone has an extra room just lying around. But if you do, that's awesome! If not, don't worry - it's time to get a little creative.

We all need that separation between our home and workspace. Otherwise, working from home starts blending into your living space, and you’ll never really get a break from it. So, it's super important to create your little office oasis. Whether it's staking out a corner of your living room with a cool room divider or claiming that spare bedroom filled with old gym equipment, it's time to make the space yours and the home base for your business.

There are so many ways to create a unique space. You could put up fun peel-and-stick wallpaper or why not grab a big 5x5 Ikea Kallax shelf to act as a super cool and personalized room divider? Dress your office with some decorative items that totally inspire you and even match your business branding, and toss in some organizational pieces to keep you on track and smashing those goals.

Having this little part of your home set aside for your business will always ensure that you will have a professional location to have video meetings or even post for social media reels. Plus your clients will love to see your sweet setup! Gone are the days of Zoom digital backdrops.

02 HAVE A ROUTINE FOR A “WORK BREAK”

Look, it's been proven that taking time off and adding more breaks in your day actually makes you more productive. When you're working from home, it's so easy to get caught up in things and forget to take care of yourself. But trust me, those breaks are key to your success!

I love the little coffee corner I created in our home. I bought a Nespresso that brings me joy and I have an assortment of mugs with cute and funny sayings that never fail to make me smile. Twice a day, like clockwork (at noon and 4-5pm), I treat myself to a coffee/tea break. Whether it's whipping up a Mexican chocolate hot latte or trying out new teas, I take a moment to stretch, snack, and savor every sip.

Surprisingly, these quiet moments are when I come up with my best ideas and solve any problems I'm facing. So, make a routine, set your times, and give yourself that space to breathe and find your inspiration! Being glued to your computer and never putting your phone down won’t help your business in the long run.

03 PLAN, SCHEDULE, EXECUTE & MAKE YOUR PLANNER A BUSINESS PARTNER

So, I've come to the realization that being a Virgo with diagnosed OCD makes me a master planner. I'm about as obsessed with making lists and planning as I am with checking if I locked the door three times. Bruce Lee once said, "If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made of." And let's be real, who am I to argue with Bruce Lee? I take my planning seriously.

Setting a work schedule is crucial. Are you a morning person? Or does the idea of the morning make you want to curl up under your sheets? Schedule those meetings, plan for breaks, and get your work done whenever you shine the brightest. David and I are both night owls who love getting our work done in the evenings! Just remember, it's all about setting yourself up for success and avoiding a sloppy execution without a plan.

How do we get our planning done? I love my old-school planners, I'm all about pen and paper, the kind you spruce up with stickers, markers, and washi tape. My Sunday ritual involves cracking open my Happy Planner and making my week look way more put together than it might be. But hey, it's the thought that counts, right? Whether you're into digital planning or hardcore journaling, the point is to find what works for you. I mean, who cares if your planner is a beautifully color-coded masterpiece or a chaotic scribble of thoughts? As long as it helps you conquer your day, it's all good.

Here are our favorite planner brands!

This planner brand is our go to thanks to all of the cute covers and beautifully done graphics! Happy Planner is also notorious for having so many accessories for customizations, including perfectly sized sticker books to help with your planning needs. Their planners even come in various layouts and sizes!
Erin Condren planners dominated my university scene! Their designs are some of the cutest yet most minimalistic, leaving you plenty of room to get all of your plans to fit. Not to mention they allow for several customizations and personalizations (from covers, stickers, and even notepads). They even come in an assortment of layouts and offer up Teacher Planners as well!
Golden Coil has to have one of the best planner selling points I have ever come by! Full customization of your entire planner! What that means is that you pick your cover, and then you get to decide what you want on the inside using their assortment of layouts, organization pages, note pages, etc. You can select your own start day, what months you want, and even add birthdays and important days to be printed in your planner!
If you love Japanese minimalism as much as we do, we know you'll love the Hobonichi Techo planners. These are definitely created with convenience in mind. Their designs are spacious, their books come in different sizes and layouts, and if you hate lugging around large books, they even sell planner sets where one book is Jan-June and the other is July-Dec!

04 YOU GOTTA SPEND MONEY TO MAKE MONEY — WITHIN REASON

In the film industry, we've got some seriously pricey equipment and tools that require a hefty investment. You've got to shell out a ton of cash for computers, cameras, lenses, and software just to get started. It's no joke when they say, "You gotta spend money to make money." So hold on a sec, before you go splurging on an extravagant European vacation, consider where to put your hard-earned cash. There is nothing worse than seeing small business owners roll up in a luxury vehicle while they are telling you that they can’t afford your products or services. Trust me when I say that there's a fine line between being thrifty and looking like a total cheapskate.

So investing in the right stuff is key. This may sound crazy, but believe it or not, the thickness and material of your business cards can make a difference! People are more likely to hang onto those thick or even metal business cards because they may feel bad throwing them out, which means that your card may be the one that keeps popping up in their day-to-day lives.

We know money doesn’t grow on trees, if it did this world wouldn’t have most of the problems it has today, and starting a business can already be extremely expensive, so purchasing or investing in some things might be totally out of the question. That being said, there are moments when buying a hefty price-tagged item is crucial. If you are a graphic designer you probably want a higher-end computer, no one is saying the very best, but it may be time to upgrade from the laptop you were using in high school. Put in the work, save your money for that item, and think of any purchase as an investment.

When you show that you are willing to invest in your business and yourself, you are telling your clients that the products or services they are receiving are top-notch and of the highest quality.

05 A DIGITAL PRESENCE IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT WITHOUT A BRICK-AND-MORTAR

So, you're kicking butt running your business from the comfort of your home? That's awesome and we love that for you! But hey, the hustle and bustle doesn't stop there, there's more to it than just kicking back in your PJs while operating your business. Since you've saved some serious cash on rent, it's time to take that extra cash and funnel it into your marketing piggy bank.

There are so many pros and cons to having a physical store. Sure, it costs more and involves a hefty initial investment, but setting up shop in a high-traffic area can work wonders for getting your products noticed and sold. Similarly, when you're working from home, you're saving on rent, but now you've got to hustle harder to market your goods and services since you are missing out on all of those person-to-person interactions.

Enter social media and websites – your new BFFs. They're crucial for your business, whether you have a physical storefront or not. Having a strong digital presence is always key, but if you're purely online, it's even more crucial. That's how your clients will connect with you every single day and it is vital to not lose out on that personal touch! Our team cannot stress this enough: Do not cut corners on your digital presence, no matter how tempting it may be! This is the point where all of these tips and tricks come together.

Let’s break down exactly why working on your digital presence is crucial.

What things do you and your business gain with a stronger digital presence?

Accessibility: An online presence allows potential customers to find you 24/7. Without a brick-and-mortar location, your website or social media profiles become the primary means of visibility.

Broader Reach: The internet opens doors to a global audience. A robust digital presence enables your business to reach international clients.

Cost-Effectiveness: Operating online can be more economical. You can allocate your budget to enhancing your online platform, digital marketing, and improving customer experiences.

Real-Time Engagement: Digital platforms allow for immediate interaction with customers. You can respond to inquiries, and provide updates, fostering a sense of connection.

What are things you can do to not lose that personal touch when you are operating digitally?

Personalized Communication: Use email and social media to send personalized messages to customers, celebrating milestones and events.

Virtual Consultations: Offer virtual consultations! This allows you to connect with clients, and provide moments similar to in-store interactions.

Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share your process and behind-the-scenes content via digital platforms. It allows you to humanize your brand and welcomes clients in your journey.

Community Building: Create an online community through forums or social media groups where customers can share their experiences, ideas, and feedback.

In summary, while a digital presence is crucial for businesses without a physical storefront, balancing technology with personal engagement ensures that you nurture meaningful relationships with your customers, making them feel connected to your brand.

Curious to know how our team at Quilla can help you with your digital presence?
Reach out to us!