In this special fireside chat hosted in Remote Workers Worldwide, group creator Mandy Fransz is interviewed by Jeremy Yuan from the mmhmm team. Speaking from two different corners of the world—Mandy from her tiny house in Portugal and Jeremy dialing in from Thailand—they share invaluable insights about the evolving landscape of remote work and what it truly means to "work from anywhere."
The most interesting remote work locations
When asked about her most interesting remote work experience, Mandy recalls being stuck in a camper van in the middle of nowhere along the Portuguese coast. Despite being stranded for 24 hours, she managed to conduct business calls thanks to a reliable WiFi connection. This adventurous spirit mirrors Jeremy's lifestyle, who revealed he bought a sailboat "on a whim" about a year ago, embracing the digital nomad lifestyle to its fullest.
Jeremy uses Starlink for internet connectivity while sailing, noting he’s "generally pretty happy with it but I wish there were more options." For those considering a more mobile lifestyle, both hosts agree that the technology is finally there to support truly location-independent work.
Essential tips for remote work beginners
For those just starting their remote work journey, Mandy emphasizes the importance of community: "Surround yourself with like-minded people because you're just one connection away from the right opportunity." Having worked remotely for eight years, she highlights that both online communities (like Remote Workers Worldwide) and in-person meetups are crucial for combating isolation and learning from others' experiences.
Jeremy adds that being willing to accommodate time zone differences can make a significant difference in your remote career. Working from Asia while collaborating with teams in America and Europe, he often takes calls at 3:30 or 4:00 AM. "I think it counts for a lot because it can be easy to fall off the radar if you're a remote worker," he explains, emphasizing the value of occasional synchronous connections.
Another practical tip Jeremy shares is mastering the art of booking hotel accommodations: "Check the comments of places you're going to stay" and use the room previews available on booking platforms to assess whether a space is conducive to productivity. Look for details about desk setups, lighting, and most importantly, reliable WiFi.
Must-have digital tools for remote workers
Both hosts shared their essential digital tools:
Mandy's top picks:
- LinkedIn: Her go-to platform for networking and maintaining visibility in the professional world
- Krisp: An audio tool that cuts background noise during meetings—perfect when working from noisy environments like beach bars or shared spaces
- World Time Buddy: For coordinating across different time zones when scheduling meetings
Jeremy's recommendations:
- mmhmm: That’s us! mmhmm offers video superpowers for both live meetings and recordings, empowering remote workers around the globe
- Mobile hotspot packages: Always worth the extra cost as an internet backup while traveling
- AirPods Pro: For their noise cancellation features and portability during walking meetings
Creating an effective mobile office setup
Working in small spaces—whether a tiny house, camper van, or sailboat—requires thoughtful equipment choices:
Ergonomics is non-negotiable, according to Mandy. She recommends portable laptop stands like NexStand, paired with a proper mouse and keyboard, to maintain good posture anywhere. For those who can establish a more permanent setup, investing in a standing desk and ergonomic chair is worth considering.
Jeremy emphasizes the importance of good lighting for video calls. He travels with a compact light on a folding tripod, which he bounces off walls for a more flattering effect. He also stresses the importance of organization: "Have a really good wire and tech organization system... and the same thing for your travel documents."
Both agree that changing your environment periodically—working from cafes for creative tasks and quiet spaces for deep work—helps maintain productivity and creativity.
The unspoken challenges of remote work
Beyond the commonly discussed challenges, both hosts highlighted some less-talked-about difficulties:
- Isolation: Building meaningful connections requires intentional effort when working remotely
- Tax complexity: Navigating tax obligations across multiple jurisdictions remains a headache (Mandy recommends Estonia's e-Residency program for location-independent businesses)
- Career constraints: Jeremy points out that commitment to remote work can limit career options, particularly as some companies implement return-to-office mandates
- Boundary setting: Mandy notes the challenge of separating work from personal life, especially when friends and family visit your remote work location assuming you're on vacation
The future of remote work
Despite headlines about return-to-office mandates, both hosts remain optimistic about remote work's future.
Mandy believes startups—especially those intentionally built as distributed companies—will continue embracing remote-first cultures. "I think those startups, if you have set up your business intentionally as a fully remote business, it's a lot easier to grow fully remote and to have the right infrastructure," she notes.
Jeremy has a provocative take on the return-to-office trend: "Good, I'm glad to see it." He explains that this push may actually accelerate innovation as talented people leave traditional companies to found remote-native startups. "I'm looking forward to just a lot of companies that are going to be founded in the next couple years that are remote native," he predicts.
Both acknowledge that remote work isn't for everyone, and the future workforce will likely embrace flexibility in various forms rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Dream remote work destinations
The conversation concluded with both hosts sharing their dream remote work destinations. For Mandy, who has already worked from numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, working from a boat represents an unexplored frontier. Meanwhile, Jeremy dreams of sailing to Borneo, specifically the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, preferring destinations "a little bit off the beaten path."
Their parting suggestion: Perhaps a home exchange! Mandy's tiny house in Portugal for Jeremy's sailboat in Southeast Asia, embodying the spirit of adventure that makes remote work so appealing to many.
