I'd like to hear how some other people have handled moving from home studio (pretty much just post-pro) to an actual building with some production and post-production space. I can't actually justify making the move financially, but I feel that at some point you just have to roll the dice. I'm tired of bringing potential clients to the "home studio" and truthfully, I work better away from the distractions of home. I realize that an actual sound stage is a hard thing to justify, but a place to throw a green-screen and lights would be enough for starters. I'd need an office or two to set up edit rooms, and an area for storage, plus a small shooting area.

Me: most of my income comes from doing IT work as a contractor for an established business. Up side - my hours are flexible. Neg Side - I'm starting to get stuck in a rut as this is a career I never thought I'd be doing for such a long time. So in a way, I'd be using my IT job to pay for (what I'm calling) studio space.

I've never been a fan of the "build it and they will come" school of thought, so I'm not expecting more business to generate itself just because my overhead increases. Logic tells me to get more space only as needed, but I feel to generate more business I'll need a better locale (I know it's really the work that counts and not the equipment or studio). I know a few people in my corner of the world that *I think* I could partner with if I had some space... but I guess that is another thread all together.

I know this is a super subjective, no one size fits all, question, but I'd be fascinated to hears a couple of stories about the start of your successful (or not so) business ventures outside of the home.

Thanks in advance...
Jeff

(p.s. I also posted this question over on the business and marketing area of creative cow, if interested)