The first thing I would advise anyone starting their own business is to have a controlled environment from the outset – get organised. For example, if you’re setting up from home, ensure you allocate a certain section of space that’s only for the business. This could be a corner of the kitchen, a spare bedroom, a sofa or a desk – but always make sure you have at least a drawer or a cupboard, which is only for your office stuff. If you don’t, you’ll end up moving things around, and in time you’ll lose or misplace something.
The second piece of advice is make sure you section everything. Paperwork is one of the biggest killers in an office: it takes up room and can overwhelm you, especially during tax time. The development of mobile technology, which I wish I had when I started “blankcanvas INTERIORS,” means it is easier to snap and save those receipts with apps like QuickBooks Self Employed. The beauty of this is the decluttered space it gives you, as you can file all those receipts in a storage box somewhere else.
Third, try maximising the space you have, no matter how small it may be. Explore stacking things vertically and horizontally. People often go for drawers or stacking on the same level, but if you stack vertically you’ll create more space for your work surface. There are folders that flip down and sit on the back of a door and draw sets to go on top of your desk. Be creative and you will find many easy ways to make the most of what you have.
Finally, one of the best things you can do is to buy a labeller. Label everything so it can be easily located and you know what’s what. The secret to organisation is to make sure what you need daily is visible and instantly accessible. Separate what is not needed straight away and archive or file them away. If you do this, only the items you need will be on hand. A labeller will help identify things easily and make it much quicker and easier to access.
Organisation is key to running and operating a successful business. While Rome wasn’t built in a day, I can assure you it was organised.
Shaynna Blaze, Interior Designer
