So you have made the decision to run your own business – congratulations, although at times the path may be rocky, you will be able to set your own hours of operation, and you get to make the decisions on how your company will move forward.

Your first item of concern may be, do I need office space, or should I work out of a home office? What are the pros and cons of each? Here are some questions you will want to answer for yourself. There are also many articles on this subject on the web and in business publications that will provide further information.

This is your starting point before you jump in to any major decision. In the past, starting a business often involved rental or purchase of a physical location, but in today’s business world, working from a home office or rental office is becoming more common and accepted.

Do you need staff? Will you be selling product or doing repairs? Are standard working hours important to you or do you prefer a more flexible schedule? Are you rooted in your community or are you considering a move in the future?

Spend some time thinking and envisioning what your ideal situation would be and what environment would provide the most satisfaction to you before you move ahead with your plan.

Depending on where you are located, investigate what kind of space options you have, and the costs involved for each option.

Ultimately, the final decision is up to you, and for a start up business, there can be multiple advantages to at least start with a home office, as it is easier to move up to office or storefront options, rather than shift back if things are not working out quite as planned.

As with any major decision, the more research into options you can do before you make your move increases your chances of success. Get solid financial advice before you proceed in any direction, the tax implications of each option should be explored before you make your first steps.