5 Tips for Working at Home

Conducting Business Remotely

By Patrice Rios

Patrice Rios, co owner and interior designer of Troo Designs, shares her tips on conducting business successfully at home in an industry that is usually conducted with face-to-face meetings and consultations.

As the whole world is trying to navigate through these sensitive and uncertain times, know that you are not alone. All of Austin is rallying with you. If you are in the interior design industry, here are a few tips from Patrice to help stay on top of your business and assist clients in feeling at ease during this crisis.

1. Support Local

First and most importantly, support local. See if your favorite coffee shop is delivering, and shop them. I have stocked up on my favorite Revival Coffee cold brew.

2. Email your clients

Let them know that you can still design through virtual meetings and screen sharing. It is important that we stay sensitive to the current crisis by staying home. But screen sharing is still a very efficient one-on-one time to handle all of the client’s needs.

3. Conduct your scren sharing videos

I have been using Zoom and find it really easy to use. It allows you to review any drawings and Pinterest or Houzz boards with your clients. After your meeting, call or email your local vendors: your go-to appliance or plumbing vendor, your cabinet or tile rep, lighting, etc. Request a phone call to review the quotes or samples you need for your clients. I am currently working with my tile and wallpaper vendors on getting samples delivered to me and to my client’s doorsteps, so we can review them together in our next virtual meeting.

4. Get organized

Because driving to and from meetings and job sites is no longer a time consumer, get ahead of the game and commit to doing all of your storyboards and or drawings. Now is the time to get focused, organized, stay positive, and, most of all, be thankful to all of our amazing clients who are still in this with us! Organize your sample library also, and clean out all the old and expired samples you no longer need.