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Starting a Home-Based Software Company?
deanj asks: "I'd like to start a new software business, as I'm sure many Slashdot readers would. I'd like to be able to run the company out of my home, at least until I can afford to move into an office in commercial area. A major roadblock to starting a home business are zoning restrictions, set by both home-owners associations and by the town you live in. So, I'd like to Ask Slashdot: What were your experiences with getting your company zoned properly and started? What did you have to do? What other tips do you have for someone starting their own home-based software business?"
Hi. I have a running company from home in NZ (so the zoning stuff won't be 100%). If you're just doing contract development for a small set of clients (with an eye to expand, obviously) you don't have much to worry about. The family living next door looks in the window here and just thinks I'm really keen on computers... I've told them I work from home, and there really isn't a pressing need to let on that the place is the registered company HQ.
My only advice apart from setting up a PO Box and getting a solid phone number is the other essential but item: the phat pipe. Don't skimp on this one, as your clients will see much of your work through the web. Running a website and client services over a cheap DSL link isn't the way to go. Get your company site hosted somewhere decent, preferrably with an outfit that offers a reseller program. Pay the extra money for a reliable (and fast connection) expecially if you are running servers. I'd love to cut back on the net charges when the payments from clients get sporadic, but it's just not an option! We have a CVS repository for all the code, and use P2P chat for coordinating development. Demos are tunnelled through SSH, keeping everything tight on our end.
With more than a few people on board I'd never go back from the 8Mb down / 768 up.