Expanding Your Business Beyond Your Home

Many businesses start in the home, then grow so successfully, they’re moved to a more spacious location outside the residence.  This might be a building on your premises or a business space you rent, lease or purchase elsewhere. 

 Suzanne contacted me to sew skirt and apron samples when I operated my home based dressmaking/alteration business.  She was introducing her designs to shops with the anticipation that they would purchase in bulk from her.

These appealed to many of the businesses she approached and soon she took on a partner.  She hired home workers, like myself, to make them for her.  However, when the business grew beyond what she could supply from her home she leased a warehouse, supplied it with sewing machines and women to sew there.  Eventually she expanded into other clothing. 

Pokey Bolton, founder and publisher of the original Quilting Arts magazine, began in a barn on their property.  This magazine “took off” among quilters and became very popular, so she added another magazine and did some book publishing.  Eventually she sold her venture to a quilt and craft publisher, yet stayed on as editor.  They now have a TV program as well.

Kathy designed a unique soccer pillow for her children.  Friends saw it and asked for them, too.  Thus began her business, at first operated out of her home, of supplying pillows that represented various sports.  Her marketing became so successful that she rented a large building, hired employees to sew and package them for her.  My daughter worked for her there during the summer while in high school and college.

Not everyone wants to expand beyond a home business.  However, the possibilities are there if you research your markets, develop a business plan, and utilize a strategy that’s successful and profitable.

Studying the success of other businesses that go where you want to go often will help you in reaching your goal.