One of the greatest appeals of the ambulance industry is its ease of entry. In many cases, all it takes to get started is a properly-equipped vehicle, a phone number to reach clients, and a good dose of business sense.
Like every business, however, a home based ambulance business requires time, money, and effort. If you’re considering a venture into the medical transportation industry via a home-based business, it’s vital to weigh the pros and cons before taking the plunge.
The Pros
Immediate Access to Customers
New business owners frequently struggle to find steady clients, especially in a contract-oriented industry such as the medical transportation business. Home-based businesses in particular may not have the budget or abilities for the large-scale marketing campaigns required to woo clients away from existing companies.
By entering the market through the purchase of an established company, however, entrepreneurs can obtain existing contracts and customers. Buying a home based ambulance business is often cheaper and less risky than starting an ambulance business from scratch.
Fewer expenses
When your home is your office, you’re naturally going to save on some costs. There is no need to pay for rent and utilities or endure disagreements with a landlord. Initially, it may be possible to use already existing equipment such as a computer and phone line when setting up your home office.
Of course, if you intend to grow the business beyond one vehicle, it may be time to consider renting storage space or moving the office to an outside location.
You’re the Boss
For many entrepreneurs, the most attractive aspect of owning a business is freedom. Business owners are free to set their own hours, write their own policies, and make their own decisions. If you want to work in your pajamas (assuming you’re not out transporting clients), you’re able to do so. For many, the independence of business ownership is more satisfying than any paycheck.
The Cons
It’s Harder than It Looks
A home-based business is still a business. Owners who work from home must still deal with common frustrations such as client disputes, rising costs, and a growing number of government regulations. In addition, however, they must also contend with interruptions from family members and distractions like laundry and TV.
Selling Can Be a Challenge
Home-based businesses are often harder to sell than brick-and-mortar companies because obtaining financing is a greater challenge. Since work-from-home companies have few significant assets, banks are frequently unwilling to lend money to interested buyers.
Owners looking to increase their chances of selling a home based business may want to consider seller financing. By offering to carry a note for part of the purchase price, sellers may be able to bridge the gap between their asking price and the amount a buyer can afford.
Burnout Is Common
Running a business from your house may be convenient, but it can also be emotionally draining. When you never leave your office, it can be hard to pull yourself away from checking e-mails during family time, eating lunch at your desk, and catching up on work late at night. Overworking yourself is a surefire way to kill motivation, passion, and, ultimately, medical transportation business value.
The best cure for burnout is prevention. Just like it takes discipline to work, it takes discipline to recognize when you need to stop working. Finding the right balance is the key to operating a home based ambulance business successfully – and happily.