Is Now the Time to Switch from Garage to Co-Warehousing?

The Garage Dilemma

The story of an entrepreneur starting their journey in a garage has been glorified for years, but the reality often isn’t so charming. Operating your business out of a garage can quickly present challenges that inhibit growth. On the other hand, you may not be sure if a move to a co-warehousing space is best for your business. In this article, we’ll help you go through the pros and cons and decide if the move from a garage to co-warehousing is right for you.

One immediate issue with a garage is the amount of space available. A garage offers limited square footage, which means you can quickly outgrow it as your inventory expands. Working from your garage also tends to blur the lines between personal and professional life, and it typically means you’re isolated, which inhibits your opportunities for networking or collaboration.

Additionally, the optics of running your business from your garage may not be perceived as the most professional with potential clients, team members, or investors, and the lack of a secure environment can also pose problems — especially when it comes to valuable items or sensitive information.

Questions to Ask Yourself

In the following section, we’ve compiled questions to assist you in evaluating whether transitioning from a garage to a co-warehousing space is the right move for your business. As you consider each question, it may be helpful to take notes on your specific challenges and needs and even make a good old-fashioned pros and cons list.

Are You Short on Space?

If your garage is cluttered with inventory and there’s barely room to move, it directly impacts your efficiency. Operating in a tight space makes it difficult to manage inventory, pack orders, or even think clearly.

Is Your Garage Holding You Back?

Limited space means limited growth. It may be hard to grow because you’re missing out on built-in shipping stations and multiple loading docks that a co-warehousing space can offer. Being confined to a garage limits your scalability.

Thinking of Building a Team?

A garage isn’t a conducive space for team growth, lacking essential amenities like proper restrooms or a kitchen. It’s tough to attract talent when your “office” doesn’t meet basic workspace norms. You also miss out on communal spaces that encourage collaboration and creativity.

Concerned About Client or Customer Perception?

If a client or investor sees you operating from a garage, they might question your business’s credibility. It’s nearly impossible to host a professional walkthrough or film quality promotional material in such an environment. A garage setup can subtly influence how others see your brand.

Dealing with Shipping, Receiving, and Storage Issues?

Juggling multiple roles in a tight space complicates your workflow. Errors in shipping or inventory management not only cost you money but elevate your stress levels. The confined space makes it challenging to establish an efficient system.

Warehouse Equipment and Amenities Concerns?

A garage often lacks the necessary infrastructure for tools like pallet jacks. Without features like loading docks and carrier pickups, your logistics become a constant hurdle. The absence of these amenities restricts your operational efficiency.

Need a Professional Meeting Space?

Garages are hardly the venue for professional gatherings. They lack basic facilities like whiteboards or AV equipment, reducing the quality of your meetings. The absence of these tools can disrupt the flow of ideas and decision-making.

Concerned About Security?

Security is often compromised in a garage setup. Most garages lack surveillance or a proper locking system, putting your valuable assets at risk. The absence of dedicated security measures leaves you vulnerable.

Struggling with Work-Life Balance?

Working from your garage means work-life boundaries blur. This lack of separation can lead to burnout, which in turn affects the quality of your work. A home-based setup doesn’t provide the mental “shutdown” needed after a workday.

Seeking Collaboration and Community?

Solitude in a garage can limit your creative thinking. When you’re all alone, there’s no one to bounce ideas off of or provide a fresh perspective. Missing out on a communal setting can slow down your project’s momentum.

Considering a New Workspace

If you answered “Yes” to any of the above questions, it may be time to consider a new space.

When searching for a new workspace, consider amenities such as Wi-Fi and carrier pickups. If your work involves shipping or heavy lifting, loading docks and equipment like forklifts or pallet jacks are important.

Other factors include contract flexibility, cost, and location. Benefits to think about are the ability to change space size, the potential for cost and time savings, and the availability of a community network.

The Benefits of Co-Warehousing

Co-warehousing with Shift is like moving into a big friendly neighborhood of businesses. It’s designed to be flexible, secure, and easy to navigate.

Notable amenities include truck level-loading docks with forklifts and pallet jacks for easy product movement, scheduled daily pickup and delivery with major carriers alongside mail & package handling to streamline your shipping and receiving processes. Lightning-fast Wi-Fi and convenient electrical access ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

Additionally, 24/7 accessible spaces along with on-site management keep operations running smoothly around the clock. Plus, custom industrial racking maximizes space with vertical storage, climate-controlled spaces keep you comfortable, and dedicated break rooms are stocked with essentials like awesome coffee when it’s time to rest.

Being part of a co-warehousing community also provides networking opportunities, enhances your business’s professional image, and makes operations easier for you, which allows you to get back to doing what’s most important — growing your business.

Is Moving from a Garage to Co-Warehousing Your Next Move?

If you’re struggling with the limitations of your garage space and find that the benefits of co-warehousing align with your goals, it may be time to consider upgrading.

We’re happy to help. We’d love to have you over for a visit to see how shift can work for you. Simply book a tour or schedule a call to get started.