A wise man would’ve set metrics. A smart person would’ve had milestones…mine was more kind of based on providing for the family.

Brian’s response on how he measured success when he first started his business







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Meet Brian, Creative Thinker & Art Director

Brian joins us this episode to talk about his transition as a Creative Director for large corporations to running his own creative agency, ⁠Space Monkey Designs⁠, for the last 7 years.

Brian talks about his early manual labor jobs and how he witnessed the output of his hard work and earning his check for the week. This strong work ethic has been key to Brian’s approach in his corporate work career and running his own business.

On this episode, we talk about:

  • Brian’s initial foray into running his own company presented some challenges early on
  • He talks about his “brand of you” approach to his career and how he presents himself from his work with clients, colleagues and how he presents himself on social media
  • Work-cations he and his wife take as they combine offsite work assignments and mini vacations

If you want to connect with Brian, you can find him on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ or his website, ⁠spacemonkeydesigns.com⁠.

Thanks for listening to our show!

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If you want to be a guest on the show, please visit our website, ⁠⁠wfhforever.com/tellyourstory⁠⁠. Please complete the brief online survey and we will be in contact with you.

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Q & A with Brian

Why did you want to Work From Home Forever?

  • I wanted to be able to pick and choose the projects that I worked on without having to conform to the narrative of companies that I didn’t align with 100% of the time.

How long have you been Working From Home, Forever?

  • Going into year 7 of being self employed.

What trade offs, if any, did you make in order to Work From Home Forever?

  • A paycheck every two weeks, benefits, the all elusive ‘off button’, social interaction at an arm’s length.

How do you manage work/life balance Working From Home, Forever?

  • All work, no life… honestly my kids are grown, it’s just my wife and I. We can work from the road, so we have redefined work life balance by going on ‘work-cations’.

What’s your best advice to others who want to Work From Home Forever?

  • Get an accountant, track your taxes, and clearly define ‘the brand of you’ and stay true it.

What are your three must-haves to Work From Home, Forever?

  • Designated work area, designated non-work zones, and comfortable chairs.

S3 E6 Founding Virtual Not Distant: Pilar Orti’s Journey to Support Remote Teams Work From Home Forever

On this episode of Work From Home Forever, Pilar Orti, a writer, podcaster, and the founder of Virtual Not Distant joins us on the show. Pilar shared her journey into remote work, which began in 2011, driven by her need to travel frequently to visit family. Initially trained as an actress, Pilar transitioned to remote work, finding comfort in working from home and utilizing coworking spaces when necessary. Pilar discussed her experience with coworking spaces, noting the practical challenges such as commuting time, costs, and temperature discomfort. She ultimately found working from home more comfortable and convenient. Pilar has set up a cozy home office with a standing desk and plenty of natural light, sharing the space with her husband, who prefers coworking spaces. Pilar emphasized the importance of maintaining work-life balance, avoiding work apps on her mobile phone, and setting boundaries with clients regarding availability. She highlighted the need for understanding individual work preferences and creating a work environment that supports personal well-being. In founding Virtual Not Distant, Pilar aimed to support remote teams and small businesses in utilizing online spaces for effective collaboration. She underscored the growing acceptance of remote work and the importance of flexibility in today's work environment. Pilar’s approach to work-life balance and her commitment to creating a supportive remote work culture are central to her philosophy and the success of Virtual Not Distant. Connect with Pilar: Website: Virtual Not Distant LinkedIn: Pilar Orti Listen to this episode from Pilar's podcast, Adventures in Podcasting, where I was her guest and we talked about my start in podcasting. ________________________  Do you love the show? Check out our⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠official merch page⁠⁠⁠ ⁠on Etsy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and support the show! ________________________
  1. S3 E6 Founding Virtual Not Distant: Pilar Orti’s Journey to Support Remote Teams
  2. S3 E5 Corey Walker: From Marketing Specialist to Instagram for Dummies
  3. S3 E4 Stay Fit While You Sit: Ergonomic Tips with Mike Jones
  4. S3 E3 Creating a Kind Workplace: Michael G. Neece on Leading with Kindness
  5. S3 E2 From Family Therapy to Bestselling Author: Jack Lawrence's Career Pivot
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