Working from home is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice and a common trend in self-employment. As a result, a growing number of entrepreneurs in the region have turned to Business Link in the East of England for advice and support on going solo from the comfort of their own home. In recognition of this increasingly popular lifestyle choice, the NFEA – the national enterprise network – will be running Home Enterprise Week from 6 -10 July.

According to the Home Business Report 2008, businesses started from home now account for 2.5 million of the 4.6 million small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. A 60-second commute, the Internet and pre-existing support networks, such as Business Link, contribute to the appeal of home enterprise. A successful business and a happy home is an achievable ideal for work-life balance.

Redundancy saw Herts-based Jeanette McLeod transform her passion for children’s books into a thriving international company – Ebooks4Kidz – publishing online picture books for children aged 3 to eight years old. Her home is the hub of her business, with her team comprising of freelancers from around the world, small businesses and sole traders in the UK.

Hemel Hempstead’s Life & Soul Academy was the brainchild of Sally Ilsley, in the same week that she left school, aged 17. Still living with her parents, Sally took over their front room, installing a computer, business telephone line, filing cabinets and all the other necessities to get her business off the ground. Ten years later, the Life & Soul Academy of Performing Arts, Wellness and Lifestyle boasts its own bespoke venue, Boxmoor Hall, with fully equipped studios, therapy room, lounge, café and juice bar, retail units and a resource centre. And now an events venue to boot, providing an ideal location for weddings, christenings and corporate functions, Sally’s home-business plans have been realised beyond her wildest dreams.

Business Link’s Running a Business From Home workshop at the Workhotel, Hemel Hempstead on 14th July 2009 is a must for Hertfordshire’s entrepreneurs keen to find out more about home enterprise.

Robert Tull, Senior Enterprise Awareness Manager for Business Link in the East of England, provides his top 10 considerations for working from home:

1. UK building regulations and planning permissionIf the use of the building, or the activities undertaken within it, changes a lot you may need to apply to your local authority for planning permission to that effect.

2. Tax considerationsBe aware that the room(s) of your property used for work may be subject to business tax rates rather than council tax and will be subject to capital gains tax in the event that the property is sold. On a positive note, your business will be able to claim tax relief on domestic bills for the areas of the house used for your business.

3. Risk AssessmentEnsure a thorough health and safety risk assessment of your home workplace has been carried out to identify any possible hazards to yourself, workers, visitors and other members of the household.

4. Hazardous substancesSpecial considerations should be given to the use of hazardous substances or materials in your work from home business, with appropriate precautions taken.

5. Emergency proceduresAlthough working from home is generally not considered high-risk, precautionary measures should be in place for such occurrences as a fire in your home.

6. InsuranceDon’t be caught out, insure yourself and your home business against the unexpected.

7. Energy efficiencyBe savvy and reduce costs where possible. Turn off all equipment when it is not in use – especially at the end of the day; reduce usage – save paper by either printing on both sides of the paper or not printing at all; use ethical materials, for example stationery from recycled or sustainable sources and recycle where possible, for example used printer cartridges.

8. Separate working areaWhilst not a legal requirement, from a practical point of view you should have a designated working area in your property, away from the hustle and bustle of home-life, to ensure a healthy work-life balance. In order to keep the two as separate as possible, such installations as an additional phone line are also recommended.

9. Practices and proceduresWhen working from home, it may be either uncomfortable or inappropriate for clients and suppliers to visit the premises. With this in mind, finding an appropriate location, away from your home, in which to hold meetings should be on the ‘To Do’ list.

10. NetworkingWorking from home can be a solitary environment and therefore the importance of networking should not be neglected. Clubs and organisations, such as the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), exist for the purpose of interaction between like-minded business people. As well as organising networking events themselves, Business Link can provide information on county-wide networking opportunities.

If you would like more information about Business Link services, or wish to speak to an Adviser, call 08457 17 16 15 or log on to: www.businesslink.gov.uk/east. For further information and to book on to Business Link workshops visit: www.bookevents.org

About Business Link in the East of England:

Business Link provides information, practical advice and support to help people to start, run or grow their business

Our clients fall in to two main categories:

-Those running or working in established small and medium sized businesses

-Those who want to start their own business

Both clients groups can access independent, impartial and, in most instances, free help and support from Business Link in the form of:

-Free one-to-one help from an experienced business adviser (established businesses) or enterprise champion (start-up)

-Workshops and briefings on a range of business subjects such as business planning, sales and marketing, legislation, developing people

-Telephone and online support through our Information and intelligence centre

Business Link in the East of England works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire

Business Link is a government initiative to promote enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency