Take Yourself Seriously Chances are, your clients will, too.

Q: Isometimes get a negative reaction from potential customers whenthey learn I work at home. While I like being homebased, I'dconsider the additional costs and inconvenience of having anoutside office if it meant I could grow my business. Are there anysolutions short of making a move I don't really want to make?What do I say when people ask where my office is?

A:You're not alone in suspecting your clients, potentialcustomers and business associates aren't taking you seriouslybecause you're homebased. It seems strange to say this in 2001,when millions of people have migrated into home offices, mostcorporations offer formal telework options and technology is makinglocation increasingly irrelevant. You can answer e-mail, work onthe telephone, program a distant computer and participate inmeetings with people scattered all over the globe. And who knowswhere a physical Web site is located? While we're in themountains of Central California, for example, our server is inAtlanta.

So unless you volunteer information about working from home,most people won't know where you're working unless theyask. But if they do, are they really asking if your office is aspare bedroom or a high-rise office building? Probably not. So ifyou simply answer "In Palmdale" or "NorthMinneapolis," you'll probably be providing all theinformation they're seeking.

If you're asked for more specifics-which usually doesn'thappen-and you're feeling the least bit defensive about notsitting on the umpteenth floor of some office made of chrome andglass, it's apt to leak out and create doubt in others'minds as well. Hey, if that's you, consider this: Your life isprobably less stressful than those who do.

If you have a quaint street address, like 22 Sunflower Ln. or79357 Moonbeam Ct., that screams residential location, there'sa relatively inexpensive way to get a business-like address: Rent abox at a mail receiving center. This used to be an inconveniencebecause doing it meant picking up your mail at the center, butgiven that most business correspondence is by e-mail, a once-a-weektrip may suffice.

Most important, to preclude any doubts you have a seriousbusiness, be sure to answer your phone professionally duringregular business hours. If you have children, a separate phone linefor your business or a distinctive ringing feature is essential soeveryone will know when a business call is coming in.

And if you want some additional insurance that you'll betaken seriously, think about adding "Corporation" to yourcompany name to enhance your business image. Of course, there areother reasons for incorporating, so before making such a change,consult with a knowledgeable tax professional and an attorney todetermine whether this would be a wise business decision foryou.