How to Engage Virtually in a Meaningful Way
Laura Dinan Haber • December 10, 2020
Laura Dinan Haber has served as a reSET Board Member since 2018, is the Innovation Program Manager at Naussau Re, Organizer of TEDxHartford, and Co-owner of Reclaimed Engraving.
In a world where we’re always on, how can we engage in a meaningful way – virtually?
You’ve likely attended hundreds of Zoom/Teams/webinar meetings, toasted your computer screen during themed happy hours, raised your digital hand to ask a question, changed your background to reflect a location where you (actually) want to be, forgot to mute yourself … the list goes on.
We’ve allowed people to enter our lives in ways that seemed unimaginable just a few short months ago. Ask yourself if you would have welcomed (all of) your colleagues into your home, to take a seat at your kitchen table as you sip your fifth cup of coffee and talk business. Likely not. Yet here we are. I’d offer you a cup right now, but I haven’t figured out how to actually pass it through the screen quite yet.
The days have changed from when we’d leave our homes, in our finery, with anticipation of the event that lay ahead. Who will be there? Did I remember my ticket (jk it’s saved in my Apple Wallet)? What food will be served? Who will be seated next to me, etc.?
Since we aren’t currently engaging in person, let’s talk about the other options we have to engage and entertain ourselves and others.
There’s our old friend the blog, there are vlogs (which sound like something that needs a prescription), as of a few weeks ago there are reels (Instagram’s response to tik tok), tik tok itself (I see you dancing), there are stories, posts … content options galore that stare you in the face each day, hour, minute, second. Begging for eye-share. And we haven’t even entered the realm of virtual and alternate reality technologies.
Content. Content. Content. Computers. Phones. Apps. Virtual. Digital. Dependent on the internet. The question begs to be asked, how can we connect in meaningful ways? While I don’t have all the answers, I have a few ideas to share.
Unplugged:
- Send a handwritten letter, note or postcard. Take a few minutes out of your day to put pen to paper. You’re sending a piece of yourself to someone in a way that an email will never be able to replace. Added bonus – you’re helping support the US Postal Service.
- Pick up the phone. Seriously. Actually pick up the phone and call someone. Shut the computer, remove distractions and connect with the person on the other end. Think about the last time you received a call just to see how you are doing… it’ll make someone’s day and the world needs more of that.
- Send a book. Whether it’s an e-book or physical book, sending ideas worth sharing is a way to provide information/an escape. I belong to a ‘Relaxed Book Club’, the premise is to read what you want, when you want, but to share the stories that resonated the most. It creates shared conversation and an unplugged method of escape.
- There are a multitude of ways to connect while being unplugged from technology. Share yours in the comments below!
Plugged:
- Not sure about you, but it seems as though we are operating in a ‘cameras-on culture’. While this can be less than favorable (especially if you’ve rolled out of bed 2 minutes before a meeting), cameras can be a great method to connect. The ability to see facial expressions and body gestures is helpful. Not to mention, what grandparent doesn’t enjoy FaceTiming with their grandchildren? There are so many uses – family interaction, connecting with residents in nursing homes and health facilities, reading to children, and teaching and learning, just to name a few.
- Interacting through group games. Virtual Bingo has been a Friday night staple amongst a group of my friends, their friends, their parents, and 100+ spanning from CT to CA. I’ve met new friends, enjoyed dressing to fit the theme (who doesn’t love a costume contest?), and given myself something to look forward to each week.
- Edutainment. The number of educational entertainment options on the web grows daily. From Masterclass, local museums, drive-in concerts, artist Q&A to colleges and universities, now is the time to learn a new skill or at least research options. I was planning to brush up on my guitar skills back in March… good things take time. Most options I’ve seen have had a community angle that promotes engagement with others participating in the same course.
If you’re like me, you’re exhausted yet intrigued. My ask to you is to send that postcard, make that FaceTime call and put a smile on someone’s face. With everything fighting for brain-space and eye-time, it is up to each of us to decide how to best engage with the content, and more importantly, how to engage with others, in a meaningful way.
Program Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with $7,000 in Grants Hartford, CT – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing impact-driven businesses, is proud to introduce the ten businesses participating in the sixth cohort of the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator this fall. The program equips local founders with the tools to launch, grow, and thrive in today's retail landscape. Thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, each business completing the program will receive a $700 grant to support their business. Save the date: Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time The Incubator will culminate in the Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time graduation and pop-up market event on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30-8:00pm at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where the community can meet these entrepreneurs and experience their products firsthand. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/retail26 with the early bird discount of $5 off tickets purchased before November 1. "This cohort is building businesses that infuse care, heritage, and artistry into every product they make, and we’re excited to develop strong local businesses that invest right back into our communities," said Sarah Blecher, Executive Director of Reset. "This group brings the total number of retail businesses supported through the Retail Incubator to 73 since its launch in 2021." "From Puerto Rican pastries to block prints about collective liberation, this cohort shows how many different paths lead to a meaningful retail business," said Ndubisi Okeke, Reset Program Manager. "Our Retail Incubator gets them ready for holiday sales and sustainable operations well beyond this season, building businesses with impact." Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs The Retail Incubator reflects Reset's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. During the 12-week program, participants access experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. The $700 small business grant at the conclusion of the incubator provides additional support to grow their businesses. The Ten Businesses in This Year's Floor–Plan Retail Incubator: Assiah Tea & Wellness , founded by Margo Jones, offers premium loose-leaf teas, handcrafted herbal blends, and curated tea services, combining hospitality, education, and wellness to encourage connection and intentional self-care. Asabodi, created by Melissa Carrasco, is a growing small business offering vegan and plant based skincare products like turmeric sugar scrub, body butters, lotions, African black liquid soap, and scalp stimulator. Dream Fleurs , founded by accessory and web designer Maureen Connelly, is a lifestyle accessory brand inspired by flowers, travel, and historic gardens around the world. Granny's Doggie Treats , is a growing small business created by Claudia Cupe, specializing in quality, homemade dog and cat treats crafted to provide pet parents with wholesome, flavorful options while promoting responsible pet care and supporting the special bond between pets and their families. L&M Desserts , led by owner and head baker Anaïs Esther Nuñez, is a family-operated business bringing authentic Puerto Rican desserts to families, events, and catering clients across Connecticut. NUR the Label , founded by Yasmin Laila, is a contemporary fashion brand reimagining the kaftan through a modern lens, honoring African and Middle Eastern dress traditions with pieces designed for celebrations and everyday expression. Pajareando Press , created by artist, educator, and community organizer Elida Paiz Pineda, creates one-of-a-kind block prints, illustrations, and craft works exploring social justice, collective liberation, and radical joy. Ruby Sampson , founded by Ashley Powdar in 2016 in honor of her grandmother, is an artisan-powered brand based in the U.S. and Guyana that creates silk-lined hair accessories, head wraps, and apparel on a mission to close the grooming gap for natural hair textures. Trinkky Trinkks , founded by performer and choreographer Cristal Coleman, is a specialty gift boutique offering handcrafted jewelry alongside curated handbags, accessories, and unexpected finds, built as a pathway toward generational wealth. Wábi Arts , founded by photographer and arts advocate Kim Weston, is a developing gallery and teaching space in downtown New Haven featuring Connecticut-based and emerging artists and home to the FOCUS Fellowship, a teen photography mentorship program. About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Now in its sixth year, it is part of a suite of retail opportunities from Reset and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. Reset’s three-month incubator provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, and prepare for new market opportunities. Entrepreneurs gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. Through the Floor–Plan partnership, entrepreneurs can access additional market outlets and retail opportunities through Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. About Reset Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise, meaning impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines, and provides coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more. # # #
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