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relocating for  a new home business

3/18/2022

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Megan Cooper

Danish Modern San Diego is pleased to welcome Guest Blogger Megan Cooper from Real Life Home ​https://reallifehome.net/

Edited and formatted by Dawn Torres-Reyes

Woman with cell phone and laptop computer.
Image Credit: Pixabay

How to Relocate While Starting a Home Business​

​Starting a home business can be a relatively simple and inexpensive project - unless, of course, your existing home is too small or too impractical to host a business. If this is the case, the prospect of starting a home business may look like a lot more work and stress. That does not mean you need to abandon your dream of running a home business. You may be able to solve the problem by relocating to a new home.

What to Look for in a New Home for Business

​Choosing what you need in a property for a new business means asking yourself what was not working in the old one. If your existing home is too small to sustain a business, determine how much space you will require.

If your home is in a poor location for business, ask why that is. Is your home an inconvenient location for clients? Is vehicle parking an issue? Is your home or neighborhood zoned for business? Review everything that is inadequate for conducting business in your present home so that you know what to look for in a new location. Then consider other questions such as personal taste, what kind of layout will work for your family, proximity to amenities you value, and so forth.

How to Save Money on a Home Purchase

If you’ve traded up in terms of housing, you may be concerned about expenses. Find out what financing options are available to you. Another possibility is purchasing a home that is sold as-is. When a house is offered in as-is condition this does not necessarily mean there is anything seriously wrong with it and it may just need cosmetic upgrades.

When a house is being offered for sale as-is it does mean that the seller will not make any changes or offer any credits based on repairs needed. A house sold as-is may have structural problems and have issues such as mold, pests, or asbestos, so do not purchase without scheduling a home inspection, consulting an attorney, and looking over property records. Your due diligence will save you from expensive repairs and updates.

How to Prepare for Your Move

If you want to keep your move as low-stress as possible, the key is to plan well in advance. Months before moving day, start sorting through your belongings, downsizing, and begin packing. Research movers and choose a moving company you know is trustworthy. Arrange for utilities to be shut off at your old home and turned on in your new one. Make a schedule of tasks for such things as submitting address changes, switching schools, and securing licenses and permits you will need to operate your business from your new home.

The Fundamentals of Starting a Business

Now that you have a business idea and a location, you can start setting up your business:

  • Write a business plan
  • Choose the right business structure and register your business
  • Conduct market research in preparation to connect with clients
  • Secure funding for your business
  • Decide how much staffing your business requires
  • Design a logo
  • Create a business website and social media accounts
  • Hire SEO services
  • Launch your business
 
When choosing a business structure consider forming a corporation. Registering as a corporation gives you advantages like liability protection and easier access to funding. The simplest way to incorporate is to use a formation service.

A memorable logo for branding your business should accent the launch of your website and media platforms. You can hire a professional designer, or you can use online tools for your logo design.

Accounting for Additional Business Expenses

While you are planning the financial part of your business, do not forget to budget for additional expenses, including the cost of moving.
You will need to account for the costs of required licenses and permits, taxes, inventory, and technology for your home office. You may also need to purchase software for web hosting, cybersecurity, time tracking, project management, and data storage.
Relocating while simultaneously launching a business takes extra effort that can result in gaining profits and a better quality of life. It is better to make the move for your business as early as possible in the business planning stages so you may launch your business from a suitable location.
This article is brought to you by Danish Modern San Diego, Importers, Restorers, Sellers of European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture since 1996.
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Upsizing to accommodate a growing business

10/22/2021

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Suzie Wilson

Danish Modern San Diego welcomes back guest blogger Suzie Wilson!

​Suzie Wilson | 
[email protected] | Author of The Ultimate Guide to Prepping Your Home For An Open House | Website: https://happierhome.net/

Edited and formatted by Dawn Torres-Reyes

Beautiful blue and yellow painted wooden 18th century house of the Moravian community in Salem, North Carolina.
Beautiful blue and yellow painted wooden 18th century house of the Moravian community in Salem, North Carolina.
Image Source: Unsplash

Upsizing Your House For Business Expansion​

There's never been a home buying market quite like this one. The pandemic has made this year an exceptional time to become a homeowner, which is especially advantageous for you if you are looking for a larger place to reside as your home-based business expands. Danish Modern San Diego presents a few things you need to consider when looking to upsize because of your growing start-up.

Review Your Finances

The first aspect to consider before buying a bigger house is whether you can afford it. You can lose your sense of financial security if the monthly payment is too high and your business, although expanding, cannot help in paying for the greater expense. On the other hand, you should also foresee the future of the financial status of your enterprise and consider it when upsizing. As a rule of thumb, lenders usually require you to earn a minimum of three times the monthly payment on a new house. The amount typically includes mortgage principal, property taxes, interest, and owner insurance; still, it might also cover mortgage insurance if you put less than 20 percent of the down payment, as well as special tax assessments and association dues.
 
So, how much down payment do you need? Expect to put down at least 3 percent to 3.5 percent of the sale price of the home. You also need to budget for closing fees, which usually add 2 percent to 5 percent of the purchase costs to your upfront fees. Keep in mind that mortgage loans with less than 20 percent down payment typically charge private mortgage insurance, adding to your monthly bill.

Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Loan

The second step toward purchasing a house has not changed, although the pandemic has significantly altered how we do certain things. Potential home buyers should still start the purchase process by getting pre-approved for a home loan. A pre-approval letter doesn't guarantee that a lender will work with you, as they will analyze your finances more closely during the formal application process. However, the pre-approval does give you a sense of whether you will qualify for financing and how much in loans you might be able​ to get. Not only does this help you stay focused in your house-hunting process on properties you can afford, but it also tells your realtor and the sellers that you will likely finalize the purchase once you have made an offer. When venturing into this process, it is best to work with a real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of the industry and can show you the best options.

​Consider Home Features and Amenities

Rather than purchasing a bigger house without considering your needs and wants, analyze the home's features to ensure it fits your requirements. For instance, a property with no extra space like a garage or a basement might not be a practical choice if you want to move because your business is growing, or the home's layout poses issues that are costly to remedy or add. Another consideration are the needs of your family members, which may include separate living and working areas. For your business, the space should have an office and perhaps a garage or extra room to store products and materials.
 
There is also the option to buy a less expensive house that you renovate or modify according to your needs. Think about what changes you would need to make and write them down. Include modifications for creating a home office, living space, and other areas that need changes to comply with your business needs. When planning your office, consider painting the walls in neutral colors and using wallpaper to make the space inviting, but still elegant, when meeting your clients or having virtual conferences. Wallpaper can also be customized — meaning you can always order more — and is more durable than paint. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is a great choice as it can easily be removed and re-attached.
 
Of course, you will need to make all these decisions while you are operating your business. This includes everything from registering your business with the state to deciding whether you would like to pursue further education to expand your skill set toward improving your business. This may include in-person and online courses. Make sure you have a plan in place that can help you balance all these tasks.

The Bottom Line​

Real estate presents a fantastic opportunity right now. If you are thinking of taking advantage of the circumstances to buy a bigger home to accommodate your expanding venture, it could be a brilliant move. Just make sure you do this with awareness and consider all the aspects that come with this move while planning.
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Preparing your professional home office

9/22/2021

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Danish Modern San Diego is pleased to welcome back guest blogger Lisa Walker.
​
Lisa Walker is a proud stay-at-home mom. When she's not spending time with her boys or on a new home improvement project, she and her husband, Jake, enjoy trail hiking and beach-coming.

You may read Lisa's previous article, Dedicating Space in Your Home for Your Business, by clicking on the following link:  
https://bit.ly/3zvL1Cz

​Blog article edited and formatted by Dawn Torres-Reyes.

Gian Paolo Aliatis working space interior showing two blue velvet upholstered chairs at the sides of a round cocktail table with desk in background.
Are you an owner of one of the millions of new businesses that started during the pandemic? Or perhaps you own an established business and took the opportunity to eliminate overhead by working from home? Maybe you secured a position that requires you to work from home?
 
Whatever the reason for embracing remote work, the home office space has become significantly more popular. While it may be tempting to work from the kitchen counter or living room couch, it is important to establish a dedicated home office space.
 
From the Danish Modern San Diego blog, here are a few tips to stage and decorate your home office for professionalism and productivity.

Create a Safe and Sanitized Space

The workplace can be a COVID-19 hotspot. While the home office presents less risk, it is important to take the necessary precautions to create a safer space. It is also worth considering other aspects of health for daily work.
 
  • Increase ventilation by opening windows and encouraging airflow
  • Introduce non-contactable technologies such as invoicing and payment software
  • Reduce the spread of the virus by wearing a mask
  • Invest in ergonomic office furniture to improve productivity and create an efficient workstation — browse the Danish Modern San Diego shop for classic desks, seating, storage, and display pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional
  • Place hand sanitizers on accessible surfaces
  • Eliminate allergens from your HVAC unit by installing a UV light
  • Introduce a fire safety plan for quick evacuation in the event of an emergency
 
Prioritizing a safety-conscious in-home office environment helps to put clients at ease. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that your office is clean and secure.

Prepare for Virtual Meetings

Did you know that there were approximately 145 million daily users of Microsoft Teams as of April 2021? A recent survey revealed that 98% of people believe that video conferencing helps with relationship-building inside and outside of the company. Virtual meetings are necessary to maintain team morale, so it is important to prepare.
 
Joining a meeting from your home office demands extra effort to demonstrate professionalism. Here are a few tips:
 
  • Focus on a clean and tidy background without any personal items or clutter
  • Dress for the office and avoid wearing revealing clothing or pajamas
  • Position your frame so that the camera is roughly one inch above your eye line
  • Avoid background noise that could disturb the meeting
  • Prioritize lighting that comes from the front angle (avoid sidelight or backlight)

Protect Your Home Assets

​When you operate your business from your home space, you risk exposing your assets; however, there is an easy solution that protects yourself and your assets from litigation.
 
Establishing a limited liability company (LLC) offers many benefits, including limiting your personal liability. As each state has different regulations and requirements, it’s worth hiring the help of a formation service like Zenbusiness. There is also the option of hiring a lawyer, though the fees may be burdensome.

Moving On

Nothing is permanent - seasons change, stock markets fluctuate, and businesses grow.
 
Before investing in your home office space, it is worth considering whether you plan to sell your home in the near future.
 
Keep in mind that a fully functional office could add value to your home. If you want to make a return on your investment, then it is important to take photographs before and after the renovations. These photographs are proof of the improvements that you have made.

Installing a home office dedicated to your job or business assists with focus, professionalism, and productivity and can add value to your home.
Rod Adams from Infinity Dish shares more home office creation tips in a blog article which you may read by clicking the following link : ​https://www.infinitydish.com/blog/work-at-home-office-set-up/
And Cameron Hopkins from Broadband Search shares tips for keeping you home internet safe and secure. You may read all about that by clicking on the following link: ​https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/keep-home-internet-safe-secure
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Dedicating Space in Your Home for Your Business

5/28/2021

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Author

Danish Modern San Diego is happy to welcome guest blogger Lisa Walker.
​
Lisa Walker is a proud stay-at-home mom. When she's not spending time with her boys or on a new home improvement project, she and her husband, Jake, enjoy trail hiking and beach-coming.

​Blog article formatted by Dawn Torres-Reyes.

Woman wearing wedding ring preparing to write in journal with blue ink pen. Next to her hand on the desktop is a cel phone and a lap top computer.
Image via Pixabay
If you need some furniture and decor to help dress up your new office space, Danish Modern San Diego may have what you're looking for! Stop by our website to browse our selection of desks, chairs, and bookcases!
Running your business from home saves both time and money, but it also has its drawbacks. Conducting business in a space designed for sleeping, eating, and relaxing is less than ideal. In fact, according to Stanford News, working from home can be a "productivity disaster," with family members or roommates making noise during conference calls and online meetings, or interrupting when you need to focus. The need for a customized space with a door becomes obvious.

Assess Your Needs

The type of business you have dictates the space you need. Perhaps you have a back bedroom that would make a great home office. It is quiet and has a door to keep well-meaning family members out. However, if you meet with customers and clients, you may not want to lead them through the living room and down a hallway past other bedrooms. A room with easy access to an outside door may be important.
If your meetings will be virtual, then that guest bedroom may be the right location. Before you move in, look at the electrical outlets. Is there enough to power all your electronics? Are they in the right locations? Especially in older houses, the outlets and wiring may need the attention of an electrician. The decor is important, too. For your walls, look for a light shade of whatever color makes you feel good. A desk, chair, shelving, and cabinets in a style you like can make you feel more productive as well.

Renovate Your Space

Without a bedroom that fits your criteria, you may have to get creative. Some mudrooms and entryways can be conducive to a home-based business, particularly if you need outside access for your customers. A dining room may just need a wall or a door to set it apart from the rest of the house.
If you have a basement or attic, evaluate its potential. These types of spaces often need more than new paint on the walls, so you may not want to do it yourself. If the space is already finished and the job is as simple as building a wall or installing an outside door, then get quotes from local contractors and interior design services and choose the best bid. Conversions or additions are more complicated.

Convert or Add to Your House

Converting an attic often requires work on the insulation, walls, flooring, electrical outlets, heating, and air ducts, and windows. A garage conversion typically calls for all of this, plus replacing the garage door with walls and siding. Either can cost about half as much as building a new addition onto the house.

If your conversion is extensive or you decide you want a whole new addition, consider having an architect draw up a plan for you before you look for bids from contractors. Architectural firms often stick with commercial projects, but freelance architects are frequently willing to do a residential job and at a much lower price. You can find freelancers by searching online job platforms, which also typically have reviews. As with contractors and electricians, talk to three or four to learn pricing and a time frame for your project before choosing one.
Once your home-based business has its own space, you are likely to have an easier time setting work/home boundaries with the people who live with you. "Going to work" can become more pleasant when you have a dedicated space designed for it.
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7 Things Your Boss Wants to Know About Furniture

3/2/2018

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At India Street Antiques / Danish Modern San Diego our warehouse showroom is always chock full of furniture goodness. Our extensive inventory of unique pieces is what drives bosses to send an employee or two on a mission to locate that perfect, useful credenza, desk, storage unit, file cabinet, desk chair, and conference table for the office. We are speaking to you today, the chosen ones, who are sent on these missions. Before you become overwhelmed with the selection, take a deep breath and keep in mind these 7 things your boss will want to know upon your return from your fact finding mission.
 
1. The Look: Does the piece have the right look, style, feel for the office? What message is your boss sending to employees and clients? Ask your boss in advance to share thoughts and plans pertinent to their vision so you may be on the lookout for the right image.
 
2. Condition: Office furniture will get a lot of use so you want to make sure to look over the pieces thoroughly. With antique and vintage furniture you may expect a reasonable bit of wear; however, the pieces should look good overall with an even finish and a minimum of general wear. Hardware such as pulls, knobs, hinges, slides, latches should operate smoothly. Will the piece be used as a breakfront? Check the back for cleanliness and an attractive finish.
 
3. Delivery: Collect information from the seller regarding delivery of goods. Present to your boss what options are available such as local or long distance delivery, crating and freighting, white glove delivery ( the drivers unload, unpack, assemble and place the furniture inside ) and whether your office has a loading dock or not. In some cases B2B shipments may cost less than residential deliveries.

 4. Measurements: You found the right style, but will it fit? Be sure to bring space measurements with you while shopping and a measuring tape in case you are in a store where they are not provided. Will the piece be used for storage of equipment and materials? Get those measurements, too. When measuring a piece for consideration, get the width, height, and depth as well as any interior measurements for specific storage.
 
5. Modifications: You found the right style, but it needs some custom modifications. Be prepared to present options such as removing cupboard doors and drawer fronts to expose and make use of specific equipment and tools. Is the piece for the company bathroom? Be ready to discuss options for placing a sink and plumbing. Holes may have to be drilled for cables, so an equipment placement chart is useful to see where those holes may have to go.
 
6. Cost: Your boss knows the bottom line. They want to know how much all this will cost. Get detailed with prices for furniture, accessories, modifications, and deliveries. Note any discounts you were able to negotiate and any extras included like switching out knobs or a free bottle of wax. Remember to include payment options. Does the seller accept credit cards or offer net billing?
 
7. Photos: The adage that a picture is worth a thousand words is true. Save your breath and take a picture. Forgot your camera phone? The seller should be able to text or email all the photos you need.
 
Do you feel more relaxed and prepared for the task of shopping for the office furniture? Good. We are prepared to assist. See you on India Street!
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    Author

    Dawn Torres-Reyes: writer of published articles, blog entries, and poetry. Past author of the national blog "Pieces of the Past". To submit a question or subject for the blog, email [email protected]

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