I've mentioned previously that I'm engaged, so it makes sense that a lot of my attention these days is being directed toward Wedding planning.  One thing that I've noticed lately is that many of the people we've considered hiring in different capacities don't have home offices.  This has been particularly true for wedding coordinators and photographers, but I'm sure I'll run into other venders working out of their homes before my wedding roles around next fall.  I think this is due to two primary factors, both of which come back to the economy:

Freelancing is an Attractive Option During a Bad Job Market
Many people who were laid off or unable to find work during the recession took the opportunity to start their own business.  Wedding coordinators don't necessarily need much training or equipment; their most important assets are their organizational skills and ability to communicate.  Sure, it helps to know people in the business who you can refer to your clients, but many coordinators and consultants are focusing on "day of" services which are focused on the 4-6 weeks leading up to the wedding, when the contracts have all been signed and simply need to be carried out.  Similarly, an amateur photographer can transition into a professional wedding photographer with only a few extra lenses or better photo editing software.  If you decide to get into one of these businesses because you don't have a lot of other job possibilities and your savings are starting to run out, chances are you aren't going to spring for office space right away.

Technology Streamlines Businesses 
Fifteen years ago when professional photographers didn't really have the option of taking digital pictures, they required a darkroom with all of the relevant equipment for developing the film and printing the photos.  Nowadays, you just pop the memory card out of the camera, stick it into your computer, edit the photos, and send the files off to your preferred printer.  Additionally, it's no longer necessary to have a physical showroom where potential clients can come in to view your work.  You can post photos, videos, testimonials, biographies, and anything else you can think of on your website.  I'm meeting a couple of photographers at coffee houses to look over their albums and discuss details, but only after checking them out online.  


I'm curious whether this is going to become more prevalent.  As it becomes easier to handle more and more transactions online rather than in physical stores and offices, it becomes much easier to run a business out of your home.  I've definitely day dreamed about having a small business run out of my home.  It wouldn't be a full time operation, because I love engineering and it will be a long time before I would be in a position to set off on my own for that, but a small niche shop online or something.  I doubt it will ever happen, but when I see people running other businesses out of their homes it certainly makes me wonder.