Office Space Full of Opportunity

One of the incredible things that sets the Downtown Business Centre apart from other co-share spaces are the networking opportunities that arise from basing your business out of a building that provides such a community atmosphere. We pride ourselves on being the framework that provides support, structure, and a home for our local, growing businesses. If you’re thinking of coming to join our happy family, here are a few reasons why moving into the Downtown Business Centre is beneficial to your business.

The benefits of having so many like-minded businesses under one roof are endless. From tenants giving each other client referrals by the water cooler, to having someone walk down the hall and spot the signage on your door, to having the same style business pass on clients that they’re too busy to take on at the minute to a DBC colleague... the networking opportunities go on and on.

Or, similarly, having the chance to spread the word of your business with complementary businesses. For example, the Midwifery tells their clients about the RMT in the building that specializes in pre-natal massages, and the RMT passes their clients on to the acupuncturist down the hall. Growing your business client by client couldn’t be easier anywhere else than here at the Downtown Business Centre.

There is also the wonderful opportunity of simply getting to know the people in your building. Once a month, the DBC hosts an office lunch – usually pizza – for the entire building. Those who are able to attend get the chance to chat and mingle with each other, and see what each business is all about! The lunch is by donation, and the proceeds go towards a different charity each month. Beneficial for both you, your business, and the community!

To hear about more of the benefits of having an office here at the Downtown Business Centre, contact us by phone or email.

Calling All Sole Proprietors -

March has arrived in the Fraser Valley! And although the crazy drawn-out snow this winter may have kept you from attending work or other activities – one thing that it won’t work as an excuse for are taxes. Yes, April is just around the corner, and as a sole proprietor small business owner, you need to be prepared for your fiscal year to wrap up.

For sole proprietors nearing their year end, it’s best to get a jump start on tax season if you haven't already – both mentally and physically. Here are some tips that will keep your head on straight, and your books in order:

Ensure that you are organized!

The month leading up to the year end, as opposed to waiting until two days before – is the best time to get all your ducks in a row. When was the last time you tidied up that filing cabinet? Did you ever track down that missing invoice or receipt from a few weeks ago? Now is the time to refer to your notebook of “to-do’s” and get them done.

Book your appointment with your accountant early.

Tax professionals get absolutely swamped during tax season. They’re busy, just like you! You hate it when your clients absolutely need something right before a deadline or just a busy time, so why wouldn’t they?

Hand over everything to your accountant.

All of those things that we’ve just organized, need to be handed over, and all at once. Don’t let a certain few pieces of loose leaf paper get misplaced, and pass them over once tax season is over. Make sure everything important is hunted down and handed in. And, although this may seem like a given, anything that is marked as “Important Tax Information Enclosed” IS in fact important! Give it to your accountant!

Get help from a professional!

This last one is perhaps one of the most crucial pieces of advice that you can accept. You’ve put blood, sweat, and tears into your business. You’ve been choosey about every aspect of building and establishing your brand… so why would you skimp out on the finances? Hire a professional. There are so many things that you can miss and make errors on when filing your own taxes. Don’t leave this one last little detail up to fate.

So, are you a sole proprietor with a new business, but still don’t have an accountant? Lucky for you, here at the Downtown Business Centre we have an incredibly hard working and passionate company in our building, Hilltop Accounting Ltd. Chad Eros with Hilltop Accounting has just recently moved into our building in the Downtown Chilliwack area, and is accepting new clients. Please contact him or check out his website for more details or to schedule an appointment.

Anchor Your Business

Drop that anchor and show the market place you mean business.

Lets be clear, "working from home" and "running a business from home" are two very different things. Working from home is a option that some employers offer their employees. Running a business from your home is a completely different idea and must be handled with care.

Running a business from your home sounds great in theory; you can write the space off at tax time along with a portion of your utilities, you don't have to pay rent - or at least formally. With that comes an endless supply of distractions: dogs, kids, door bell, home phone, along with a few other temptations; I think Ill just go make a sandwich, or I should flip that laundry. For the very disciplined the later can be tamed for the most part. For those easily distracted, those little moments that you cut out of your day can become a big productivity sucker which can spiral as you become frustrated with the workload and lack of concentration.

One of the biggest concerns about running your business out of your home is the perception of not being 100% committed. People seeking your services or products may instantly have a preconceived notion that your not 100% committed to your business and that you can pull up anchor at any moment and just sail away. It's a genuine prejudice, as many businesses start out in basements or back bedroom offices just to test the waters. Those testing the waters often find that their business model doesn't float and no harm no fowl, they just stop operating out of their home. Businesses that are not going to make it fail within the first two years. With many reasons for a failed business; like a poor business model, unable to create systems, lack of preparation, etc. you can see why some opt to start their business at home, but often that is part of the problem and not the solution.

Be an individual, just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean you should. A tangible commitment to proper office / business space can give you much needed incentive to succeed along with a competitive edge. It also shows your potential customer that you have committed to your business by having a space designated to do business. Nothing says "I'm not doing well enough to make a financial commitment to my company" like a home office. Or at least that is how it is often perceived by potential clients.

If you have done your market research, know you strengths and have defined your weaknesses (so that you can fill them), have a niche place in the market that makes sense to consumers and you believe in your business, don't make the mistake of not investing in space. If your confident, know your business model is sound, then don't cut the one corner that could help solidify your success.

Lastly, the work from home office trend has since begun to fizzle. Business has not moved into the residential suburbs of small town anywhere. If your running your business from the basement, who are you engaging with? Who are you running into at random (other than the cat) that could be a potential lead to your biggest client? It is a chain reaction that happens everyday in the business word. Engaging with other like minded people can grow your business in ways that may be missed if your not there to engage. Alan Gregerman, a business consultant and author of the book, The Necessity of Strangers, says "we can be most successful when we connect with more people.” There’s “a lot that’s cool about collaboration”

So if you have a strong business model, have done your homework and are confident in your success, show the market place you are committed to your business. Its time to drop anchor, find a space that shows your potential clients, customers and network referrals that you mean to do business and be in business for the long haul.

5 Reasons Why Working from Home is Hurting You and Your Business

5 Reasons Why Working from Home is Hurting You and Your Business

1. The Distraction Trap
Simple math; less distractions = more productivity. Working from home is full of distractions. If you work from home, there’s a strong chance that you’ll be having unwanted visitors popping in and out. Family, kids, pets. These interruptions can be harmful to the quality of your work, and definitely does not reflect well upon your customers.

2. Motivation Deflation
The desire to jump out of bed in the morning and race off to tackle the day’s challenges are entirely lessened when you work from home. Instead, you feel more compelled to groggily roll out of bed, put on slippers rather than shoes, and slump down the hallway. Clothes aren’t even a necessity when you don’t have to leave the house. Slow starts can highly effect your work habits for the day when you run on your own schedule, and allow yourself to have these sluggish morning attitudes.

3. Structure Is Key
Working from home allows routine to fall to the wayside, whereas having an office elsewhere provides you with a structure that can keep you in line. Setting a time to get up in the morning, have breakfast, get ready, and head to work is a great way to start everyday. Structure is important to maintain an organized business. Stop by the café and grab your morning coffee, or chat with your other office members in the kitchen while you brew yourself a cup. Head to your space, get your work done, then take a break at lunch. All of these seemingly insignificant factors that you lack when you work from home add up to a productive and systemized work day.

4. Social Factors
Working from home often leads to near hermit-like life. Without having to leave the house for anything, people that work from home often don’t see anyone other than family for days. If you are self employed this also prevents you form networking and creating business leads along with a social life that suffers and flounders, which can be mirrored in the type of work that is produced. Having daily social interactions assists with inspiration and new ideas. A lunch-time chat with a colleague or co-worker at the office can give your brain the break it needs from the hard work, or better yet, motivate you to get back to work with a refreshed mind!

5. What Your Clients Might Think
Ask yourself this: if you were a customer looking for a new service, would you feel more compelled to visit the house with the tiny business sign on the front lawn, or head into the large, professional-looking business building with the quality business logo on the front? Working from home may be convenient, but it is not difficult to see why it may be turning off your clients from coming to you for business. Having a business address in a renown office building gives you credibility, which is something that every customer will be looking for from you.

The Downtown Business Centre - Chilliwack's Premier Office Space For Small Business
What the Downtown Business Centre offers is a a co-share concept with a twist. We have office packages from just a mailing address and phone number all the way to over 6000 square ft of office space. We rent boardrooms and have a large reception area that can be used for social events. We have a full time receptionist to greet your clients and there is lots of parking. We have wifi, office equipment, dehumidified file storage facilities and the building is air conditioned. In short, everything you need to run your business. We are as flexible as you need us to be.

Come check out what the Downtown Business Centre can do for you to help your business grow and thrive.

Downtown Business Centre Holds History

This Building Holds History!

The newly renovated Downtown Business Centre has history and the downtown business community is happy to embrace that. Locals came to know this building as the Envision Building as a centre piece of the downtown business area that held and still holds many other financial institutions. Even the old vault is still present on the main floor of the building and is something of great interest to visitors and guests at the DBC.

The building on the corner or Princess & Young has had a big reno since the co-share office space concept was introduced. With several years as a hub for the Sutton, now Select Real Estate office it has been a flurry of daily activity with a busy lobby and gathering space for local and independent businesses accessing the facilities.

Under the direction of the Matheson Family, the Downtown Business Centre has evolved as a dedicated business centre with a diverse community of small businesses. The co-share concept with big office perks offers multiple boardroom settings, shared and private office spaces, shared administration and all the perks of a big office including reception, administrative staff, printers & copiers, integrated phone reception, security, janitorial service and more.

With the recent move of the Select Real Estate Group to their new space on Yale, the Business Centre is evolving again as it makes room for even more businesses looking to thrive in a Co-Share setting. Renovating to suit specific business models, the space is seeing growth as small business expands here in Chilliwack.

The two story building has something for everyone, including a great space for waiting clientele to relax in the spacious downstairs lounge area that includes a fireplace, coffee station, high end furnishings and full time reception.

Many of you may remember this space as the Envision Building prior to the Downtown Business Centre Renovations and may not have been by to check out the space recently. When chatting with Joe Matheson he explains that many first time visitors often compliment the space by saying “I had no idea this place was like this inside.” Admittedly a little deceiving from the outside as being in a building with history people just don’t realize that the space has changed over. Hosting a multitude of small to medium sized businesses with varied space needs the Downtown Business Centre has managed to create a congruent work space that brings the business community together and offers access to amenities that other wise would be out of reach for many of the small businesses in the area.

With the ability to host “event like” business conferences, meetings and workshops the business centre makes sense to those businesses that benefit from offering these types of services to their clients and staff. A space that can be rented by the hour for client meetings, to an individual space with privacy and security for permanent tenants, the business centre has many perks and plans that are designed on an individual businesses needs.

Currently the Downtown Business Centre is offering space to those looking for simple to very specific needs, and is not afraid of creating the perfect space for a business that is looking to join the DBC.

Come check out the new Downtown Business Centre Community and see how this space might be the right choice for your business.