Posted on: Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Would home office be your best choice?

By Carol Kleiman
Chicago Tribune

If you have children and are a small-business owner, is it better to work from home or to have an office outside the home? That's a question many entrepreneurs — at least, those fortunate enough to have the choice — continue to debate.

Susan Dobbe is president of Dobbe Marketing & P.R. Inc.

Currently based in her home office in Crystal Lake, Ill., Dobbe knows the answer to the home versus outside office question because she's done both.

Several times.

The marketing consultant, who is married to Craig Dobbe, director of accounting for Culligan USA, and has two children, ages 13 and 16, has this opinion: "Both are right at different times."

"Having a home office works if you're organized and focused — I don't do laundry in the middle of the day. You can work any time of the day or night, and you're there for the family. But the downside is that often you have a steady flow of clients, coming in and out."

And having an off-site office also has its pros and cons.

"It enhances your stature because the business community sees it as more professional, and it's easier to concentrate on whatever you're doing because you're separated from your family," said the entrepreneur, who has a bachelor's degree in business management.

"But you often get caught up in what you're doing and work long hours. And if you have a long commute to and from home, it's very hard."

Dobbe, who worked for 12 years in marketing for a corporation, started her business from home in 1989 when her first child was born. In 1997, Dobbe moved out, rented office space and added to her staff, which now includes three employees and two summer interns.

"But in 1999, I moved back home again," she said. "I was tired of renting space, commuting back and forth and not being there all the time for the kids. We had renovated the basement, so I had much more space."

That worked for a while but in 2000, Dobbe moved out again.

"I figured I would have a lot of flexibility, but in 2003, I realized it wasn't working. I was gone too much. Nothing tragic happened, but the kids were just home alone too much."

So last year, she moved back home again. And it, too, has worked well.

"My business is doing well, the staff leaves at 5 p.m., and I'm there for my kids. At night, if I need to, I can go back and finish things. My home is cleaner than it ever was, I bike ride, walk, have wonderful friends and family, and my husband and I have weekly 'dates' to do something."

Always on the go, the entrepreneur just bought an office building in Crystal Lake a mile from her home and will move to it in October.

"Now, I want a more structured environment and easier access for clients," she said. "It had to be near home so I can still be there for my family."

But when she does leave home, it won't necessarily be the end of her odyssey.

"In five years, my children will be gone, and I then might consider moving back home," said Dobbe. "I have a wonderful basement."