Читать книгу Start & Run an Art Teaching Business - Tanya Freedman - Страница 17

You may feel that your home is not a suitable place for your business because of space constraints or family concerns. If this is the case, you will need to look for a suitable place outside of your home, in an area that will encourage clients to come to your business.

There are benefits to leasing a space for your studio and the location can be one of them. You may be able to acquire a space in an area that attracts lots of students from surrounding schools and colleges, or a busy retail area that attracts walk-by traffic. There may also be more parking spaces for your clients.

Another great advantage to renting is that when you leave your studio at the end of the day, your workday is done. No one will interrupt you at home in regard to business, because your business telephone number and address are different from that of your home. And this business address can go on all of your promotional material, such as your business cards and website. With a home-based studio, you wouldn’t freely give out your personal contact information, as you would want to protect your family and neighbors from strangers making surprise visits to your home to see the studio.

The studio may already be set up with appropriate lighting and ventilation for your business, and you may have fewer costs when it comes to designing the space than you would in a home-based studio. However, you will have to consider whether or not your landlord will allow you to make any significant improvements to the studio; for example, painting the walls or adding appropriate flooring. You may also have restrictions in your lease regarding the size and placement of your advertising signs. (Always seek legal advice before signing a lease agreement.)

There are other disadvantages to renting. Safety can be an issue for you and your clients. Is the area safe at night? Are the parking area and bus stop well lit?

You will need to consider transportation as well. Since many of your students may be younger and unable drive, you will need to make sure there is a bus stop close by.

The biggest disadvantage of a rented studio is the costs, which include rent and utilities. You may also have to lock into a year’s lease or longer, which can be a problem when you are just starting out and you realize after a few months that you are not making enough money to pay for the space.