Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Experience with allowing Home Based Businesses with Clients

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> If your community allows home-based businesses, have there been any
> problems?... if so, what advice would you offer on how to avoid such
> problems.

Minimal — both with therapists who had only a few clients. One had a direct 
entrance from the street. It wasn’t a problem. 

One thing is the number of clients. Many who work from home may have a few — 
2-3 a week so you may not even notice. When we think “business,” we think 
constant flow. Should home businesses only be so lucky. So does she really have 
20 clients a week? That would be a lot of wear and tear on her business.

Another way to look at it —I have a friend who consults on taxes and does tax 
returns. He said his business really became viable when he moved out of his 
home. He grew to a full-time staff of two and hiring additional tax preparers 
during tax season very quickly. 

A home setting isn’t as comfortable for clients and is the mark of an amateur 
for many people.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org