Mastering the Art of Creating a Faux Office Environment

By Princess Jones

Not every small business needs a physical office. Some operate entirely from the business owner’s home. Solopreneurs often have more flexibility than other entrepreneurs. One big advantage of this type of business is that you don’t need an office. I’ve been without an office for many years, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to work in their pajamas and reduce overhead costs.

However, while I enjoy being officeless, I don’t always like the perception it creates. If it’s obvious you’re working from your dining room table and using your personal cell phone as your business number, some people might not take you seriously. To make sure your business doesn’t look like a hobby, even if you’re just avoiding unnecessary expenses, you can use these tips to create the impression of having a traditional office.

First, get an official office address. The UPS store rents business mailboxes with real street addresses. FedEx and other companies offer similar services. This way, when someone looks you up, it appears you rent office space in a strip mall or building. The staff will also sign for and hold any packages you receive. Using this service means you won’t have to worry about clients showing up at your home unexpectedly.

Another way to give the impression of having an office is to get a dedicated office and fax number. A cell number alone can make it obvious that you’re officeless. I recommend Google Voice for office numbers because it’s free and web-based. You can forward it to any number you choose and even set it to ring certain numbers at specific times. You can also make and receive calls right from your Gmail inbox.

While faxes are less common nowadays, some businesses still use them. For a dedicated fax number, consider using the service where you got your office mailbox or your local library. You’ll pay per page, but you won’t be caught off guard when a client asks for your fax number. If you need to send and receive faxes frequently, try an electronic fax service.

If your business handles a lot of incoming calls or administrative work, consider hiring a virtual assistant. They can answer your calls and handle admin tasks, freeing you up to focus on what you do best. You can be working on your next big idea while someone else handles calls from vendors.

Lastly, coworking spaces are a great way to fake an office. Many offer dedicated desk space, a real mailing address, and fax services. They often provide meeting spaces on-site, which is valuable if you have many business meetings. Instead of meeting at coffee shops or your clients’ offices, you can book a conference room at your coworking space.