subject: The Difference Between Working From Home And Working At Home [print this page] Working from home does not always mean work at home. In either case, they are both home based businesses, ventures, or enterprises. So just what distinguishes the two? This article will answer that burning question on the minds of people in the literal and logical sense.
Picture Ron the mechanic who was working for ABC Auto Repair who later decided to no longer punch a time clock and start doing the same work from home. When a customer drops their car off at Ron's for repair, and picks it up afterwards... Ron worked at home because of the simple fact he did not leave home to repair the vehicle.
However, when a customer's car is sitting in their own driveway in need of repair, and Ron goes to the customer's home to make the repairs... Ron is working from home. The exception is he is doing it for himself as his own business rather than as an employee for ABC Auto Repair.
Ron's basic place of operation where he does some or most of his work is his home. Where he keeps his records, tools, equipment and such is at his home. In either case, whether Ron actually does repairs at his home or goes to the customer's home... it's still a home based business owned and operated by Ron.
When people look for a home based business or opportunity, some are thinking of physically working at home without having to leave. Others think of working from out of their home because their home is their base of operations... even though the work they perform is not always physically done at their home.
Another example of an entrepreneur who crosses that vague thin line between working from home and working at home is a self employed or independent hair stylist. When she goes to her customer's house to do their hair, she is working from home. When a customer comes to her house to get their hair did, the stylist is actually working at home.
So, the next time you consider a home based business or opportunity, look at it in the literal sense. Do you want to work from or out of your home, or do you want to physically do all the work at home? Consider the advantages or disadvantages of both such as start-up costs and associated fees and expenses, local ordinances and regulations, zoning laws and restrictions, permits, parking, available space for operations, and all other aspects.
This will help you determine which type of business, venture, or opportunity is best suited for you and your home environment.
