#WFH Diaries: Roger Ramirez of Mustache
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally, we're checking in with the people in the creative industry to see how they're doing. Here's an update from Roger Ramirez, head of accounts at Mustache.
Give us a one-line bio of yourself.
Head of accounts at Mustache, driving relationships and collaboration designed to ensure both client and agency success.
Where are you living right now, and who's with you?
My wife and I left our apartment in Manhattan three weeks ago to quarantine with my wife's family in their home in Montauk. Yes, that's right ... me, my wife, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in law. Together. All the time.
What's your work situation like at the moment?
As an agency, all over the place (literally and figuratively). Some of our large-scale projects still moving along. A bunch of others have been placed on indefinite hold. We're trying to remain strategic, thoughtful, and most importantly, empathetic about potential opportunities given the situation we're all in.
Describe your socializing strategy.
Being available through many more means than ever actually necessary. From email and text to Gchat and video conferences (Google Hangout, WebEx, Zoom, literally all of them)—the list goes on.
What are you reading?
A TON of emails. Other than that, I am also expanding my morning ritual of reading headlines from sources like The New York Times, Fox News and Breitbart to now (kind of obsessively) reading all throughout the day. It's important to stay informed across the full political spectrum!
What are you watching?
I'm a sports fanatic and am loving that every sports network has essentially become ESPN Classic, replaying the most epic games from the past. I can't get enough of old NCAA Tournament games!
What are you listening to?
My wife's family business (with her mother and sister) in action ... It's, um, loud and eventful. Otherwise, I'm not really a music-while-I-work kind of person, so just ambient noise (and conference calls, of course).
How are you staying fit?
Some daily online workout routines by super generous personal trainers and gyms that are providing free live classes on YouTube and Instagram. Also, some surfing when the waves are good enough to convince me to squeeze my way into a super thick winter wetsuit and bear the cold.
Have you taken up a hobby?
I've wanted to start stretching daily for the better part of a decade now, and I'm finally getting into the routine during what was previously my daily commute, which has now essentially become downtime at home.
Any tips for getting necessities?
Wash your hands and don't touch your face! Also, be thoughtful and considerate of others (and the environment). If this time has thought me anything, it's that I need a lot less than I previously thought. That's a beautiful thing that I hope to carry forward and that will hopefully be a little part of helping ourselves, our society, and future generations be in a better spot than we find ourselves today.
An awkward moment since all this started.
Spilling some food and exclaiming "Oh sh*t" on a client conference call while incorrectly thinking I was on mute...
Best work email you got since all this started.
About what people should wear when working from home: "Not sure if you're intentionally suggesting I'm not a 'fashion authority' but I'll take the weekend, recover, and be back on Monday with a positive attitude about the new direction." —AK
An aha! moment since all this started.
Humility and vulnerability, particularly in positions of leadership, can go a long way towards establishing trust and cementing actual leadership. This is something I've always believed in, but times like these have proven that out as well as anything could.
What's your theory on how this is going to play out?
It will pull everyone a little closer to internalizing the John Lennon quotation, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." We don't know what's coming next, and we definitely can't control it, so we should experience and actually LIVE every moment we're presented with.
