Home-based professionals find a second home within NEBA

Since the COVID-19 pandemic set in among us, many have discovered themselves unexpectedly working from home. And, for a large number of people, working from home has not seemed a good fit. It’s definitely not for everyone. It can come with unique frustrations – like the lack of dedicated workspace, inadequate technology, distractions by family members, inability to focus on work in surroundings designed for personal activities, or missing the sociability of an office/work environment. Yet for others, working from home is the perfect fit.
“Working from home” is a concept that certainly predates COVID-19. Many people who find themselves working from home are entrepreneurs who’ve gone into business with the intention of being home-based. As such, they’ve created workspaces and systems that lend well to the requirements of the individual business owners. They appreciate the flexibility one can enjoy when working at home and some feel more productive without co-workers circling around them continuously.
Nokomis East Business Association (NEBA) exists to serve not only the needs of traditional “brick-and-mortar” business environments, but also its growing number of members who are home-based – whether self-employed or working for others. Among our ranks, we have a significant number of members headquartered in spaces tucked away in their homes – often without a shingle with office hours hung over their front door. They include graphic designers, web designers, health/fitness and wellness consultants, financial service providers, accountants and bookkeepers, personal trainers, writers, community and engagement specialists, radon services providers, music instructors, real estate professionals, and more.
Prior to COVID-19, the home-based professionals of NEBA came together as a group a number of times to discuss the unique perspectives surrounding conducting business from home. They shared thoughts and ideas about establishing and maintaining businesses at home, and how to flourish while operating a home-based business. Three in-person presentations geared especially for home-based entrepreneurs were conducted in the areas of financial planning, legal considerations for small business owners, and about placement in Google searches. Those who attended these gatherings would attest that the energy and camaraderie was enjoyable and inspiring and that the expert presenters were truly on top of their respective games. Though the group has paused from meeting during the pandemic, its needs and unique concerns are foremost as the NEBA board looks toward future events.
If you work from home and would like to know more about the home-based professionals of NEBA, contact Bob Albrecht, Bob@BobAlbrechtRealEstate.com.
Monthly NEBA board meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month between 9 and 10:30 a.m., and will occur online until further notice. NOTE: this is a new standing time. All members of the Nokomis East business community are invited to attend and to consider officially becoming members of NEBA. For more information contact the organization, nokomiseastba@gmail.com.
NEBA board member Bob Albrecht owns Bob Albrecht Real Estate, LLC in Keewaydin.