How Budding Entrepreneurs Can Stage Their Home Office for Safer Meetings

Seniors make excellent entrepreneurs because of the wealth of life experience they bring to the table. However, every entrepreneur needs a home office that ensures everyone’s safety during COVID-19. For client meetings, following specific best practices and choosing smart design options allow you to speak to each other while minimizing risk. If you aren’t sure how to begin, DreamRose Design discusses exactly what you need to know.Quick-Start GuideIf you’re setting up your home office for the first time or don’t have long before your first in-person client meeting, it’s best to concentrate on the fundamentals. Make sure you:● Get an air purifier● Wear masks● Add UV to your HVAC● Open windowsAll of those options reduce your COVID risk, so they’re good places to begin. After that, look for quick opportunities to minimize contact. For instance, invoicing and payment software ensures you don’t have to use paper bills or process payment cards, eliminating the need to touch items clients also handle. Additionally, using a free tool to compress a PDF online allows you to avoid overloading clients’ inboxes, ensuring remote work will go more smoothly.Where to Put Your Home OfficeIf you have more than one option for your home office, then consider its position within your home. Preferably, you want your home office to have its own exterior entrance. However, if that isn’t possible, select a space that’s near your front door to ensure visitors don’t have to walk through your house to reach it.Updating your home to create a separate home office like those above isn’t a bad idea for homeowners who are open to adding a room or considering selling. You could boost your home’s appraisal value, making it easier to sell for top dollar. Alternatively, if you live in an apartment and intend to continue to rent, your best bet may be to upsize to a larger rental property.Getting Ready for In-Person MeetingsFor in-person meetings, social distancing needs to be a priority after you cover the fundamentals in the quick-start list. Luckily, you can make this practically automatic by placing your seats at least six feet apart. Setting a coffee table between the chairs and making the seats heavy enough that moving them doesn’t feel practical ensures that visitors don’t shift in closer than you’d like during the meeting.For a damaged chair or couch that would work well in your home office, you can work with furniture upholstery servicesto get repairs. As for the cost, you could likely expect something between $1,500 and $4,000 for a sectional. However, material selection, exact size, and other factors could lead to a different price tag. Before you reach out to companies for quotes, read online reviews. That way, you can focus on reputable businesses.Designing for Virtual MeetingsFor virtual visits, invest in high-quality technology. A broadband hard-wired internet connection is usually best to ensure a steady signal. Investing in a quality camera and microphone allows you to be seen and heard clearly, too.Sine lighting impacts how well you’re seen, updating your office design to feature more light is wise. Open up blinds and curtains on windows for natural light, then add floor and table lamps to brighten darker areas. Finally, get a ring light to ensure your face is clearly visible.You’ll also want to address your background. Choose a neutral color that’s camera-friendly, like soft green or blue. It’s smart to get rid of clutter behind you, too, ensuring your client isn’t distracted during the meeting.Ensuring Your Financial SafetyAlong with protecting your health, you also want to protect personal assets. Consider updating your business structure and forming an LLC to reduce your liability. Laws for forming an LLC can vary by state, so check local rules before starting.As a senior business owner, you have some special concerns in the age of covid, but you also have a wealth of talent and experience to draw from. If you must meet with clients in your home office, it’s imperative to have a safety plan to ensure everyone stays comfortable and healthy. Use the tips above to create the ideal environment.DreamRose Design collaborates with developers, sales and marketing teams as well as construction, to create optimal selling conditions in time for viewings by potential buyers. Call (646) 568-4145.