Startup Tips Day 23: Alison Covarrubias from Ladies Who Launch (Part I)

Day #23 in the CenterNetworks Startup Tips Month come from Alison Covarrubias from Ladies Who Launch. Alison offered so many great tips on locations that I have decided to give her two days! Part II now available!

Alison's Tips

To Office or Not To Office...

As a start up business owner, it is tempting to rush out look for office space. After all, to be successful you must project an image of success, right... and what looks more successful than a corner office with a view? Well, I'm here to tell you that is not necessarily true and the urge to rent is one that could potentially tank you and your bottom line.

During your first year of business, it is more important to use the resources you have available that are free or cheap before you start measuring square footage and pricing out new furniture. No one will find it odd that you don't have an office with a view of downtown or that you have dogs barking in the background. Here are some great alternatives to signing an office lease:

1. Free Internet Cafe's - This is the number one option for home-bound entrepreneurs who need to meet with clients or who simply need to get out of the house. For a few dollars, you have a clean space, access to all the coffee/tea/water you need, a restroom, Internet for free (or less than $10/day), and actual human contact so that you don't feel isolated. One suggestion, tip your barista! After all, you're camping out in their space and they will be far more attentive and helpful if you throw a little bone their way. Don't empty your wallet as that will defeat the whole "cheap” part of this arrangement, but a couple of dollars depending on how long you stay is sufficient.
2. Library - It's quiet, you have ALL the resources in the world at your fingertips, you can people watch and once again - decent restrooms.
3. Book Store - This option is not so quiet which is nice if you are a talker and like to chit-chat with other book aficionados. Larger book stores often have cafe's and internet access. They want you there so go ahead and hang out.
4. Your Car - Not a great place for typing but if you have a voice recorder or just need some time to think then grab your keys, your driver's license, your hands-free headset and hit the open road! You can get fresh air, see the scenery and talk to yourself or someone on the other end of the phone. Remember that safety is first and if you're not a multi-tasker, leave the phone and recorder on the seat next to you and simply drive to clear your thoughts. It's a cathartic process that often stimulates creativity.
5. Restaurants - Not unlike coffee shops, restaurants are great for nourishment and meetings. Generally the servers aren't as excited to see you set up your portable office in their section so limit your restaurant meetings to those where you are eating a meal and discussing business. Tip, It's always acceptable to offer to go dutch but the person who suggested you meet for a meal instead of a "regular" meeting generally pays.
6. Friend's homes or offices - Setting up "office hours" with a friend or colleague at their place is a fantastic way to have office-like interaction with someone who also the entrepreneurial spirit. My friends and I have gotten so much accomplished simply by sitting next to each other and bouncing ideas off one another. It's also great when you have to make difficult sales calls to have a friend nearby to help cheer you on and to offer feedback on how you are handling the call. As always, don't do office hours with negative people who will make you feel bad about your calls or projects.
7. Outdoors - Grab your notebook and pen and go outside. It's so much more fun to have a meeting in a park or by the water than a stuffy old conference room. You have escaped corporate America, stop thinking that professionalism equals confinement. Fresh air, sunshine and a nice breeze say more about a successful business than a cramped space with fluorescent lighting.
8. Spas and Golf Clubs - Now this is where it's good to model our Corporate America counterparts. Where do they go to meet their important clients? Spas, resorts and golf clubs. You can do the same! It's more expensive than the free internet cafe, but a heck of a lot cheaper than a 5-year lease. Plus it's more fun to get in 18 holes or a nice hot rock massage than to deal with wiring your office for the internet.
9. Home Office - Your home office can take many forms and some of them will be more than acceptable for client visits. Your kitchen table, a separate desk, a whole room dedicated to you for the day or at least part of it all make great home offices. It's a temporary situation so don't go sinking all of your start up dollars in fancy equipment, but do invest in making it a happy, comfortable working space where you can find your important files, get work done and have some separation of home and office. As long as there is an extra chair and water, your client will be just fine meeting you there. No chair? Have them sit on your couch - just take an extra moment to clean off the pet hair or baby goo before they sit down.

Alison (Allie) Covarrubias graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a BA in Speech Communication. Her first big career break came in 2000 when she started working at SalesForce. After experiencing the business from the eyes of executives as the assistant to the CEO she jumped at the chance to explore more career development opportunities that came her way. During her 5 years at salesforce.com Alison worked as a Sales Recruiter, HR Coordinator and Sales Representative. After an exciting adventure to Thailand in 2005, Alison discovered that the corporate life was not her calling and made the decision to embark on her entrepreneurial career. Alison launched herself and her business when she joined Ladies Who Launch as the SF chapter leader and is now the Bay Area Director. Ladies Who Launch is a national organization of women who embrace creativity and entrepreneurism as a lifestyle and support each other both on-line and in-person. Her own business, Business Legs offers start up consulting services with an emphasis on marketing strategy for women entrepreneurs creating "lifestyle" businesses. Alison is a born “team player” and when not acting as a part of her client’s business teams, she is active in her fitness group, cycling, traveling as much as possible and living a happy and holistic lifestyle.