MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home

What Does MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home Talk About?

In this episode of the Mads Singers Management Podcast, host Mads Singer interviews Maya Middlemiss, founder of Happy Healthy Homeworking, about scaling a business to be remote-first and maintaining happiness and health while working from home. Maya, who has been working remotely since 2000, shares her journey from running a solo business to managing a remote agency with employees across three countries. The conversation explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, challenging the traditional need for expensive office spaces. Maya and Mads discuss the benefits of remote work for both businesses and employees, including reduced commute times and increased flexibility, as well as the challenges of blurred work-life boundaries. They emphasize the importance of creating dedicated workspaces, understanding personal productivity rhythms, and adopting a remote-first mindset to ensure business continuity.

Once we liberate ourselves from the idea that we should constantly be working, we can start working more flexibly, and we can start to tune in to our rhythm.Maya Middlemiss

Who Is Featured on MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home?

Maya Middlemiss is the Creator and Founder of Happy Healthy Homeworking. She has been working remotely since before the pandemic, launching her business in 2000. Her solo venture grew into an agency employing people from three different countries. She later left that business to go freelance, focusing on writing and consulting about the future of work, business, and online collaboration. Maya is excited about the opportunities the pandemic has created for evolving work practices and advocates for remote-first strategies.

What Are the Key Takeaways From MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home?

• Businesses have realized they no longer need fancy and expensive offices to function effectively.
• Remote work has been proven to be productive and possible during the pandemic.
• Remote working benefits both businesses and employees, though it comes with consequences that are ultimately better for everyone.
• Adopting a remote-first approach ensures business continuity regardless of external circumstances.
• Understanding your personal rhythms and creating a dedicated workspace can boost productivity and happiness.

The more we know ourselves and our rhythms, the more productive and happy we can be.Maya Middlemiss

Is MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home Worth Listening To?

This episode is a must-listen for business leaders and managers navigating the shift to remote work. Maya's extensive experience provides practical insights on scaling a remote-first business and maintaining employee well-being. The discussion offers actionable advice on creating boundaries, optimizing workspaces, and embracing flexibility. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on the future of work and how to thrive in a remote environment.

Who Should Listen to MSMP 114: Maya Middlemiss on Scaling Your Business to be Remote-First and How to Be Happy and Healthy When Working from Home?

• Business owners
• HR managers
• Remote team leaders
• Freelancers

What Are Listeners Saying About This Episode?

Joining me today on the Mads Singers Management Podcast is Maya Middlemiss. Maya is the Creator and Founder of Happy Healthy Homeworking, and she has been working remotely for quite a long time, way before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maya launched her business back in 2000, a year she clearly remembers because it coincided with her millennial baby. What was supposed to be a solo business grew into an agency where she employed people from three different countries. She then left that business to completely go freelance, where she also spends her time writing and consulting, specializing in the future of work, business, and how we collaborate online. While many loom the work future due to the pandemic, Maya is excited and sees it as an opportunity to evolve.

Renting pricey office buildings was the norm of many businesses. It was somewhat of a beacon that let others know that you have established yourself. While a good corner office with a view is excellent for the CEO or President, ordinary employees struggled to work because of long commute times and even accessibility to transport. Some employees opted to move closer to their workplace but struggled with balancing their paycheck because they would spend most of it for rent and not having enough for food and other necessities.

While working remotely is not a new concept, many of those who just began their remote working journey have struggled because the lines between work and personal life often get blurred. However, there are productivity hacks one can implement to improve your work-life balance.

I prefer working on a solid office desk and in complete silence. In contrast, others thrive in the buzz of their local cafe or restaurant. Take the time to find out what works best for you. Some people perform well during the day, while creatives like writers, graphic designers, and video editors may perform better at night in a world where there aren’t many distractions in their homes and surroundings.

Key Learning Points:

1. Mads says that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have realized that they no longer need fancy and expensive offices to function. - 03:23

2. Maya adds that because of the pandemic, many businesses have also realized that remote work can be productive and possible. - 03:35

3. Mads says that remote working will have consequences for both businesses and employees. However, it’s better for everyone. - 05:30

4. Maya hopes to see a renaissance where people will be working in smaller towns where money will be pumped into the local economy and new jobs will be created. - 06:13

5. Maya says that businesses should adopt a remote-first course of action to continue no matter what comes their way.- 09:27

6. Maya says that once we liberate ourselves from the idea that we should constantly be working, we can start working more flexibly, and we can start to tune in to our rhythm. 14:28

7. Maya says that the more we know ourselves and our rhythms, the more productive and happy we can be - 15:08

8. Maya recommends that one have a dedicated space where they can do their work to dictate how you want things to be and surround yourself with things that make you productive.- 18:32

9. Mads shares that it’s essential to have a separate place for work and play. - 22:34

10. Maya adds that while not everyone may afford a separate home office or office space in their homes, they can look for creative ways to maximize their space and create boundaries to achieve work-life balance. - 24:11

Resources Mentioned:

Newsletter

Connect with Maya:

Twitter

LinkedIn

Facebook Page (Healthy Happy Homeworking)

Maya’s Facebook

Facebook Community

Instagram

YouTube

Website