Workplace options for your startup

When working remotely or alone on your startup, where is the best place to work?

During the last decade or so I’ve tried:

One option I haven’t yet tried:

Each option has pros and cons. Here’s my take on them.

This is where most of us start. For ease of getting started it is unbeatable. Ideally you’ll have a spare room you can set up as an office. But even the kitchen table can suffice as a workspace.

Pros:

Cons:

It is remarkable how quickly the coworking concept has moved from obscure to commonplace. Cities all over the world have multiple coworking centres. In my neighbourhood in Barcelona, there are several to choose from. Many people find them a cheap way to have a workspace separate from home.

Pros:

Cons:

From time to time you read that a business spent their first few months operating out of a cafe. I take these claims with a grain of salt. I don’t believe anyone can get much done in cafes on a regular basis, other than making and consuming coffee.

Pros:

Cons:

For those on a tight budget, a library can be a pretty good place to work.

Pros:

Cons:

To many, this sounds like an ideal life. Each week you work from a different city or country. When not working you get to explore beaches and cities, mountains and castles. I’ve often spent months at a time trying this option. I’ve discovered it doesn’t work quite as expected.

Pros:

Cons:

If you want to see the world while working, I think it is better to spend some months at a time in each location. This gives you a chance to establish some routine, find the good workplaces, and have a regular social life.

A boat was probably the least productive workplace I’ve had. If you are fortunate enough to spend a week or two at a time sailing on a yacht, I recommend not working at all. Enjoy the experience instead.

Pros:

Cons:

Most major cities have serviced offices. You get a private, lockable room. The management of the serviced offices take care of utilities, cleaning, security, and furniture. It’s often a logical next step when you outgrow coworking.

Pros:

Cons:

If your business has become financially successful, a traditional office can be a good decision.

Pros:

Cons:

These are the major options for a workplace for your startup. Hopefully one of them is perfect for you.

Not sure which one to start with? I recommend working from home for at least the first month. If you then find that working from home is not working well for you, visit some local coworking centres to find which one best suits you.

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