Working remotely can be The Dream, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Trinity Mouzon Wofford and Issey Kobori, founders of the wellness brand Golde, spend their days running the company from their 700-square-foot Brooklyn apartment. Here’s how the couple (who’ve been together since high school) make the most of WFH life— and how you can too.
1. No PJ's allowed
Even if no one’s going to see you, Wofford believes getting dressed is crucial. “Otherwise it feels like you’re home sick.” She favors thick, loose-fitting fabrics— structured but comfy. Kobori’s work uniform is T-shirts from a website literally called heavytshirt.com. “They’re for, uh, older men,” he says, “but I like to embellish them with a bit of sewing.”
2. Slow food for all
A perk of working 10 feet from your kitchen? Kissing sad plastic clamshell lunches goodbye. Kobori and Wofford make home cooking a ritual, from their morning smoothies to the Japanese veggie dishes Kobori cooks for lunch and dinner. “We’re not vegetarian, but we do prefer mushrooms over meat,” Wofford says. “They’re better for the climate and better for your colon.”
3. BYO schedule
Not having a boss means the couple can set their hours according to their personal clocks. But to avoid working too little or too much, they must be diligent about sticking to it. “We’re morning people,” says Wofford. “Putting stuff off gives me anxiety, so I’ll usually start emailing by 7 a.m.” By 5 p.m. the laptops close and the dinner prep begins.
4. Shift your scenery
An extra bedroom acts as an office for Kobori, but Wofford prefers moving her work around the apartment. (Her only rule: “Don’t lie down.”) When she really needs to focus, she heads out to a local café. “I’m looking for a quiet space with good tea and nice light, where other people are working too, so I don’t have to feel guilty about posting up for hours.”
5. Loooong walks
“When you’re with your partner all day in an enclosed space,” Wofford says, “you’ve got to get out once in a while.” The pair punctuate each workday with an hour-plus stroll around Brooklyn. “In some ways it’s a break, but it’s also a meeting,” Kobori says. “Studies show that you’re a better problem-solver when you’re moving.” –Hilary Cadigan, associate editor
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