Episode 5: How working remotely opened new doors for Emma Heuston

Sep 23, 2019 | Talking Business with Regional Australia Podcast Episodes

In this episode of the podcast, Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler chat with Emma Hueston.

Emma is the founder of the Remote Expert and a lawyer with 19 years of experience. She is also an author and former remote worker.

With ‘The Remote Expert’, Emma combines her experience in managing a remote team with her legal knowledge of what remote teams need to function at peak performance and avoid legal problems.

Emma wrote about her experience in managing a remote team in the work from home bible – the Tracksuit Economy –  how to work from home productively and effectively

In this episode we cover:

  • Emma studied in Armidale and then took on some regional legal jobs before heading to Sydney for a stint.
  • Found after having a child they weren’t happy in Sydney anymore and can’t see themselves living in a city again.
  • Getting work was a bit of a stumbling block initially. But Emma’s husband was able to transfer to the Byron Bay office and keep his job.
  •  Emma then got a job in her new hometown but it was quite a traditional firm before she found a remote role as a lawyer for a Syndey law firm.
  • Remote work is still uncommon in the legal industry.
  • Twenty years ago you couldn’t work the way you can now because of technology. It is more of a mindset holding businesses back.
  • Working from home can sometimes feel like a dirty little secret still.
  • Don’t have the mortgage stress they would have had back in Sydney. Now she has a better work-life balance. 
  • Emma makes it easier and more accessible for small and medium businesses to bring remote workers into their business. 
  • It’s possible to start a business in a regional area and be successful.

Links mentioned in the show