Starting any small business venture requires a lot of planning and some start-up capital to get you going. It’s a satisfying experience to be the boss, but it’s a road that has some bumps along the way, so it’s worth having willing companies to partner with. One of the main obstacles is how you budget, and Aussie Man & Van has a solution to help SMEs in London.
While it sounds like a no-brainer, it’s not always clear how to start the process. We’ll look at some practical sides of creating your own business venture in this blog. Then it’s a case of highlighting how to save money by doing it from a self storage unit. It’s an affordable solution for any would-be business owner to create and run an enterprise.
Can You Run a Small Business from an Aussie Self Storage Unit?
The short answer is yes. It’s possible to rent a self storage unit from Aussie Man & Van and use it for business purposes. What’s more, you can save thousands of pounds per year by doing this instead of renting a commercial property. However, it’s not something that you should consider as a long-term plan. Using a self storage unit is an alternative answer for the first year or two of a small business’s lifespan.
There are some instances where you should check with us first before choosing this as your workspace. While we cater to most small business sectors, there are some scenarios where we wouldn’t be able to accommodate you. There are already SMEs and start-up enterprises that work with us. And we have electricity and other facilities that are ideal for any small business.
Self storage rental is drastically cheaper than commercial properties, which is why it lends itself to start-up companies. Additionally, our Man & Van service is perfect for any collections and deliveries if you don’t have a vehicle. That saves you from renting or buying a van. Using a self storage unit as your alternative workspace allows you to manage your overheads to survive the critical first year of trading.
Business Sectors That Already Do This in London –
E-commerce – this sector has been making massive inroads during the last decade. E-commerce is relatively simple to jump into, and the specifications are basic. You need a space to store goods somewhere you can load and unpack quickly. At Aussie, we have drive-up self storage units and plenty of room to keep your products.
Retail stores – Aussie works with several retail companies in London that use storage as their offsite storage room. It’s possible to rent a smaller commercial property with less storage space in the city. Then, rent a self storage unit and keep most of the stock there. That leaves more room in the shop for customers and clothing.
Start-up tech enterprises – London is a tech hub, with hundreds of new players entering the market every year. The reason why storage works well for tech start-ups is the no-frills ethos and no need for a lease or long-term contract. This reduces the headaches of high rental costs, retaining funds for any equipment or business-related expenses.
Construction subcontractors – unless you work for a Pty company, it’s unlikely that you have a dedicated workspace. Rather than storing expensive equipment or materials at home, many construction subcontractors use self storage units. Plus, they can put a desk in their unit to do any admin tasks.
Outsourcing Your Local Distribution and Logistics –
Depending on what industry you’re entering into, there’s a likelihood that distribution will be necessary. It can be tricky to do this in-house, even if keeping your expenses to a minimum is a factor. That’s because it’s not always ideal to outsource when you’re trying to keep costs down. But it might end up saving you money in the long run if you choose to work with the right company.
Aussie goes above and beyond the typical function of removal and storage provider. We work with several local businesses, covering their entire distribution process. We do this by employing our Man & Van package to help manage the overall costs by charging by the hour instead of day rates. And every booking includes the use of two team members to handle and pack everything.
We’ll update you as we make progress for collections and deliveries. You won’t be left out of the loop or feel the need to involve yourself by checking up on us. Communication is essential to outsourcing your distribution, and we’ll go through your logistics process to understand it completely. Another bonus – you won’t have to pull your staff off duties to do any pick-ups.
Splitting a Self Storage Unit into Sections –
This is a top hack for anyone with an entrepreneurial ambition that needs a workspace and needs to stick to a budget. If you have a business idea that requires more than one function, you can take one storage unit and split it into sections. This gives you a multi-functional space without shelling out money to perform your daily tasks.
We all know commercial rental costs often price people out of starting their own business. Luckily, many options are available for would-be start-ups to beat the resistance and make that brave first step. Sometimes co-working spaces and incubators don’t cut it for certain sectors. That’s because you might need some storage space for things like goods and equipment.
That’s where self storage becomes a serious contender for new ventures. You can section off areas for different purposes within the same storage unit. An example of how this works would be using one side for your stock and the other admin or computer-based duties. You’ll have a no-frills setup to keep overheads low and get the job done.
Best of all – no lease doesn’t tie you into a long-term agreement. Storage is flexible and, on your terms, gives you more breathing space if circumstances change suddenly. You can inquire for terms and conditions to see what sort of items are acceptable for storage. In general, most are, but it’s worth checking first. The final takeaway is that self storage offers endless possibilities that won’t hurt your budget.
Remote Working and Setting an Office Up –
Now we’ll take a slight detour because there are plenty of options for anyone who wants to start a business. The rise of remote working had flourished during the pandemic when it was critical to keeping everyone safe. It was a suitable response to a challenging situation, with some surprising benefits. And it’s going nowhere fast – people prefer the hybrid working patterns that it offers.
Aussie can help you set up a home office, and we did this for several customers during the lockdown. We have all the necessary equipment and expertise to coordinate and create the ideal workspace for you. No matter your circumstances regarding property type, we will assess and evaluate the best approach. You might not need to dedicate a room, but we’ll discuss every conceivable angle.
Then you can use storage for things like goods and tools if this aligns with your company’s operations. You can have the best of both situations without having to burden yourself with weighty overheads. A home office setup can save you a lot of money, and it provides you with more opportunities to take those first steps towards becoming a business owner.
Partner with a Reputable Removals and Storage Company –
It goes without saying you need to work with reliable partners to get your venture off the ground. That’s why Aussie is such a good fit, no matter what business sector you fit into. We have the right attitude – hence why we’re known as a ‘can-do’ removal and storage provider. But it’s also about having a range of thorough services to match a broad set of requirements.
Most companies in London don’t have a comparable group of packages that we have at our disposal. We have core services that are ideal for any new enterprise. Additionally, established businesses can reduce costs and streamline their operational processes. It’s all about getting the most for your money and having fewer contractual restrictions.
You can read our five-star reviews to see what sort of quality we offer, and we suggest going through the individual customer testimonials. We have a Quality Policy in place that includes BAR accreditation, all focusing on customer care and accountability. We balance fair pricing with excellent customer service for every service we provide. It all adds up to the perfect conditions to create and run a thriving business in London.
Aussie Man & Van – The ‘Can-Do’ Storage Provider for Small Businesses in London –
Aussie Man & Van currently works with several small businesses every week. We know what makes a successful business function from our own experience of running a company in London. And regardless of your profession, most small businesses operate with the common link that remains the same. And that’s setting and maintaining a modest budget.
That’s why we think small businesses would benefit from using our self storage units as alternative workspaces. And this is just as relevant for existing companies. If you experience a rough patch and your profits are down, it’s worth reducing your rental outgoings by working from a storage unit for a year until things turn around.
Aussie has the most affordable rates on the market. We have a range of services that comprise our ethos of having everything ‘under one roof’, so you don’t have to use multiple companies. Excellent customer service is our primary goal and attaining high standards is why we have loyal customers. When it comes to small businesses and start-ups, you have the right partner when you work with us.
If you’re starting a small business in London, click here. Aussie is an SME-friendly company that wants to help you realise your small business ambitions.
