The Benefits of Running a Small Creative Business from Home

Since starting Melanie Porter Designs the business has been run out of the attic in my home. Over time things have evolved and so has my business, which is now primarily focused on the personalised fairy lights. 

As a small creative business owner at the beginning you have to make sacrifices. There are many costs involved so it is not always feasible to have your own studio space straight away. 

Although having my own creative studio was the dream, there were benefits to running my business from home. It kept costs down and with juggling childcare it was handy having everything in one place.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit of a workaholic (I mean it’s just so much fun!!). Even before kids I was often still beavering away until 3 am so working from home has suited that late night worker in me.

The Need to Grow and Adapt as Business Evolves

Over time things started to feel more difficult, especially as the business was growing. The space I had in the loft was small and hard to get in and out of with stock and materials - especially as my access was via a pull down ladder! 

This definitely became harder to manage but it did mean I could close the hatch up behind me and no one could get in to disturb me.

I desperately needed more space so having my own studio seemed like the next obvious move. As well as having more space for creating my products and storing my materials, the new studio would also give me a photography area. This was a very exciting prospect for me as I love photographing the personalised fairy lights for customers and it is great content to share on social media. 

I have loads of storage now for my materials, space for my spinning wheel (read more about my beginning in my previous blog here ) and I have a table where I can put the products together and wrap up orders. 

Now I have the studio for work and my home for home and I can keep the two things separate. It’s been an amazing step forward.  I’m more productive as I don’t juggle the house jobs during the day and try to multi-task across home and work demands. 

I also now have space for a helper to come in and assist with packing orders. It’s taken me a long time to relax into not having a bit of work permanently on hand to do in the evening but I’m getting there! I’m very proud to now be able to say that I have my own studio for running my small creative business. 

 We have also been able to find a new use for the attic and are now in the process of converting my old studio into a space for my daughter.

My New Design Studio has Unleashed my Creativity 

As well as being able to keep home and work life separate the new studio has been great for my creativity. Having the physical space has opened up my mental space too and I have developed and launched so many new products in 2021. There are more to come this year so keep your eyes peeled!

I hope to share more of my new studio space on my Instagram page soon so you can see behind the scenes and how the studio space has been set up. 

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