Decking out the home office
Pinstripe's original office
When I originally started my marketing agency in a spare bedroom years ago, I had no idea what it would take to set up a comfortable and efficient space. I spent my entire career in enormous organizations with facilities and departments to take care of everything. I only had to worry about the work.
I’m fortunate that I really only need a computer, an internet connection and a phone to do my job effectively. I marvel at the entrepreneurs in retail or food service who invest in extraordinary overhead before they can even open their doors. How courageous!
For the professional who is consulting while ‘in transition’ or starting a business, here are a few of the items I selected to set up my home office.
Desk - I chose the metal leg collection from West Elm. The top comes off the cabinets, so you can create a desktop area that suites you and how you work. I make piles, so it is important that I have a lot of space. I found a huge L-shaped desk on Freecycle, ditched the legs and set it on top of the West Elm pieces. If you need more drawer space, they also have matching cabinets. Now that IKEA is open in Tampa, there are a lot of great options available.
Bookcase from a consignment store and one of my dad's drafting tables
Computer - I prefer the flexibility of a laptop, and with the help of my IT savvy husband, selected the Dell Latitude series. He also encouraged me to standardize the agency on Dell products, which has proven to be helpful as the team borrows each other’s power cords and docking stations when necessary.
Software - This could be the most expensive part of setting up your home office. In my world of marketing, the investment in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite alone can break the bank! You could take a short cut and use ‘generic’ versions of these products, but you’ll waste valuable time as clients and vendors struggle with your files. It’s better to bite the bullet and get the latest versions of these tools.
Your computer will probably have security software pre-installed, but make sure you download the updates as new threats are discovered daily. We decided to remove the one that came with the computer to use Trend Micro Worry-Free Security. Good stuff.
Printer - I don’t print nearly as much as I used to, but it is still a necessity of the office. I bought a Dell color laser that more than met my needs when I was in the home office, but one of the multi-function units may have been a more practical choice. Just watch for the resolution and print speed. If you’re as impatient as I am, you’ll need one that spits out at least 25 pages per minute.
Phone - I know a lot of people who have converted to the iPhone, but I still use the Palm Treo smartphone. I must have full e-mail and Internet capabilities, and I like having Word and Excel for quick document checks. I am on the phone a lot so battery life is critical. I have four batteries that I keep in the phone, my purse, and in charging stations at the office and at home. Spare batteries run $25 to $60, so it isn’t cheap, but you can’t swap the battery in an iPhone. Just wait while it charges…
Headset - Save your neck and stay productive while on the phone with a headset. In the office, I use the Jabra 9350 and for the Treo, the Jabra BT530. Just don’t talk while driving. Studies now show it is as dangerous as driving under the influence. Be careful.
Yoda B. Sneakypewps - Chief Pooping Officer
Office Supplies - Because you did the right thing and didn’t raid the supply closet when you left your corporate gig, you need some of the basics. Office supplies make me smile, so I have to practice restraint when shopping for them. Whether you go with the Office Depot store brand or the outrageous El Casco pieces my husband gave me for Christmas last year, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Although we’ve been in our downtown St. Pete office for a few years, I still have the home office ready to work there once in a while.
What do I miss most about working from home? Having my French Bulldog, Yoda, snoring by my side.
