New Business and New Pet

Starting a business and adding a new pet to the family are two big life changes that require a lot of time and effort, especially in the beginning. If you do both of these things at the same time, you need to make sure the well-being of your pet isn’t trumped by the well-being of your business, and vice-versa. Here are a few tips for welcoming a new pet to your home while simultaneously starting a business, courtesy of Pet Parents’ Place.

Dedicate an Area to Your Office and Your Pet

If you’re running your business out of your home, you need to make sure you have a dedicated space for the purpose. Otherwise, your professional life and your personal life can spill into each other. If your home doesn’t currently have a dedicated office space, consider doing renovations or modifying an existing room and turning it into an office space.

You also need to make sure your pet has a designated area where it feels at home. If you spend a lot of time in your office, you may want to put your pet’s living space near your office (or inside it, if there’s room). That way your new animal can feel comforted knowing you are nearby.

Form and Register Your New Business Properly

When setting up a business, it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to follow your local and federal regulations. That means researching your state’s regulations and making sure you register your business properly.

There are a few business formation options from which you can choose, but many people start limited liability companies for home-based businesses. An LLC in Maryland offers a variety of protections and limits your liability when it comes to your professional vs. personal debt. You can also take advantage of tax deductions that LLCs offer. If you want to avoid the legwork and lawyer fees, use a formation service to help you set up your business while simultaneously saving you money.

Establish a Routine for You and Your Pet

Pets are cute, so it’s no surprise that they can suck up huge portions of your day without you even realizing it. To make sure you dedicate sufficient time to both your pet and your business, establish a routine.

Every day, decide what hours you are going to work, when you will take breaks, and how much time you will dedicate to your pet. To keep your new furry family member happy, try to make your breaks frequent (every half hour or so). You don’t have to spend a ton of time with your pet during these breaks. Just a few minutes of attention, potty breaks, etc. can help your dog or cat feel loved.

Take Time To Train Your New Pet

Training your pet to stay calm and off your lap during work hours is important. If your pet is unruly or always expects you to play, you’ll have a difficult time getting any work done. You can try training your pet yourself or hire a professional trainer to help you.

These tips can help you ensure that you dedicate enough time to both your business and your pet. After all, you don’t want to neglect either of them.

Article by Jessica Brody, Our Best Friends

Photo by Unsplash