Episode Four | Bold Choices - Studio or Home Office, Which Is Best for My Business?

Episode Four – Top Branch with Beth Bender and Ruth Ann Janson

Making the Leap: Home Office or Studio?

Beth Bender:
All right, we are back for Episode 4 of Top Branch. I’m Beth Bender.

Ruth Ann Janson:
I’m Ruth Ann Janson.

Beth Bender:
Today we’re diving into the question: Studio or no studio? Home office or commercial space? It’s a big decision. Designers often come to us asking, “Is it time to get out of my home office?” And that’s never an easy answer.

As a designer, the space you invite clients into reflects your work. If they’re walking into a cramped or disorganized room to review samples, that sends a message. On the flip side, investing in a studio is a significant financial and emotional commitment. Let’s talk about how to weigh that decision.

Is There a “Magic Number” for Moving Out?

Ruth Ann Janson:
We get this question all the time—especially on the financial consulting side of our business:
“What’s the magic number? How much do I need to make before I can justify a studio?”

Unfortunately, there’s no single number. It’s not as simple as hitting a specific revenue milestone. What we look at most closely are three things:

Your top-line revenue and pipeline health
Your fixed expenses
The size and function of your team

These all work together. Revenue is important, yes, but so is the security of your income stream. Is your pipeline full? Are your projects long-term? That forward visibility matters just as much.

Anchor Projects Create Stability

Beth Bender:
Ruth Ann makes a great point about longevity. When you’re primarily doing one-room refreshes or small one-off projects, it’s really hard to forecast your cash flow over the next 12 to 18 months. And that makes it risky to commit to something like a multi-year lease.

It’s always going to involve some risk—you have to bet on yourself. But ideally, you also have an anchor project in place. Something big and long-term that serves as your safety net. If you don’t have one of those projects, or something similar in the works, it might be too soon to move into a studio.

Beyond the Numbers: Think About the Intangibles

Ruth Ann Janson:
Let’s not forget the intangible elements. Yes, the numbers matter—but so does your day-to-day reality.

Is your team growing? Are you constantly on top of each other, working around piles of samples in a cramped space? That may push you toward finding a studio sooner. You also need to ask:

Do I have room for everything?
Is my space functioning well?
Does it reflect my brand?

When clients walk in, are they seeing a space that tells them what I’m capable of? Sometimes, the intangibles can be even more powerful than the financials when it comes to making this call.

Portfolio First: Where to Spend Limited Dollars

Beth Bender:
One of the most important things to remember is this: your talent is what you’re selling. Not your office space.

In most cases, clients aren’t coming to your office—they’re seeing your work through your portfolio and your presence online. So if you’re weighing studio rent vs. investing in professional photography, we say: Choose the photography.

That visual proof of your work is what seals the deal for future clients. We’ve seen designers run wildly successful businesses for 20+ years from their home offices—or even a converted backhouse.

A Studio Doesn’t Define Success

Beth Bender:
Whether or not you have a studio has nothing to do with how successful you are. Some of our most seasoned and respected designers have never left their home offices—and others moved to a studio and then back again.

Ruth Ann Janson:
Exactly. Some designers find that a commercial space feels too rigid, too corporate. It doesn’t align with the personal, welcoming brand they’ve built. It’s all about what works for you.

Evaluating a Lease Commitment

Ruth Ann Janson:
Let’s talk practicals. Studio leases are typically 2 to 5 years. This isn’t a short-term decision.

You need to look at:

Your current revenue
Your projected pipeline
Your fixed and variable expenses
The size and needs of your team

And then ask yourself: “Can I realistically afford this overhead long-term?” This kind of forward planning is critical before signing anything.

The Bottom Line: Build a Business That Works for You

Beth Bender:
The key takeaway here: you can build a successful business from a home office or a studio. There’s no one-size-fits-all.

It’s not about where you work. It’s about how you present your work, how you run your team, and how confident you are in your pipeline and expenses. A beautiful studio doesn’t make you a great designer—your talent, your vision, and your follow-through do.

Closing Quote: Be Bold, Not Reckless

Ruth Ann Janson:
We’ll end, as always, with a quote. This one takes a little creative license, but it perfectly captures what it feels like to consider a studio move.