Starting a business is no small feat, and while challenges are inevitable, smart planning can make the road a little smoother.
Here are some practical tips to set your business up for success…
1. Don’t buy oversized desks (or anything oversized!)
In the early days of a business, space is often at a premium, and so is your budget. While it’s tempting to start off with large, impressive desks or other substantial furniture, think carefully about how these items fit into your long-term plan.
As your team grows, those oversized desks could become a logistical headache. You may not be at the stage of moving offices, so changing the siting of your desks or finding space for new ones – can feel like a game of office Tetris. Instead, opt for compact, flexible furniture that meets your current needs while leaving room to accommodate future employees or additional workspaces.
Our tip would be to design your office layout with growth in mind. Leave open spaces that can quickly and easily adapt as your team expands.
2. Embrace preloved furniture for a sustainable start
Setting up an office doesn’t have to break the bank or the planet. If your business isn’t customer-facing, consider furnishing your space with preloved or secondhand furniture. This approach has several benefits:
- Cost savings: Preloved furniture is typically much more affordable than buying new, freeing up funds for other essentials.
- Sustainability: By giving furniture a second life, you’re reducing waste.
- Flexibility: When you’re ready to upgrade, many suppliers, including us here at Chrisbeon, will let you part-exchange your preloved items for newer furniture.
Here at Chrisbeon, we have a large preloved showroom as well as a new furniture showroom and an online store. Our customers can part exchange their old furniture when buying from our new showroom or our webstore.
From ergonomic chairs to sturdy desks, preloved options often match the quality of new furniture while keeping a start-up budget under control. It is also a good way to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, a value many customers and employees appreciate.
3. Plan for expansion from day one
While it’s easy to focus solely on the here-and-now, successful businesses plan for tomorrow. Even in the earliest stages, think about how your space, resources, and infrastructure can adapt to growth.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Space: How many employees will we need to accommodate in six months? One year? Five years?
- Scalability: Are there flexible solutions for our office, such as modular furniture or shared workspaces, allowing easy scaling?
- Investment: Are we balancing cost savings with durability to avoid constantly replacing cheap, short-lived items?
4. Build a support network
Whether it’s family, friends, mentors, or fellow entrepreneurs, having people to lean on can make a world of difference.
In 2025, connecting with others is easier than ever. You can join local business networks such as the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, attend start-up events, or find online communities that align with your industry.
The Shropshire Business Festival date has been set for March 6th, 2025, and connections met at these sorts of events can provide valuable advice, encouragement, and even collaboration opportunities as you grow.
