Working from Hawaii

I’ve been an Executive Assistant at Thumbtack for a little over two years now. I’m what you’d call a “boomerang” employee. I worked at Thumbtack from 2019–2020, then returned in early 2022 — it’s a testament to just how much I love the company. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support leaders and teams, and to help them stay organized and operate more efficiently.

When Thumbtack rolled out their virtual-first model, I felt like the world opened up to me. I had been in San Francisco for 7 years and was eager for a change…but where? I had begun my search for a new apartment, and in a series of unfortunate (or really fortunate) events, my lease fell through. I went back to the drawing board.

Living the island life

I wanted to live somewhere with universally great weather and outdoor activities. Almost immediately I considered moving to Hawaii. I had vacationed there 5 years prior, and Honolulu had always been a place that I could envision calling home. With the support of Thumbtack, my family and my friends, I decided to make the move. I settled into a small beachfront community of historic homes nestled away from the madness of Waikiki; we’re a close knit group and surf culture is woven into everything we do.

WFH has made me a better employee (and surfer)

Moving to Hawaii has changed my life in unimaginable ways. Working for Thumbtack provided me the opportunity to live in a place that’s better suited to my lifestyle. I no longer experience seasonal allergies and asthma because I can enjoy being outside in the salt air and humidity. I’m living a much healthier lifestyle that I truly enjoy and surfing has become my primary form of exercise. I went from being a beginner to now catching 5–8 feet waves with ease.

The leaders I work with have been incredibly supportive. I work from 6am to 2pm, and the flexibility to do so has provided me with the opportunity to enjoy all that Hawaii has to offer. These days, you can find me paddling out to catch some waves during my lunch break or taking a walking meeting on the beach. Thumbtack’s remote work support also allows me to expense surf boards — which encourages me to take advantage of all that Hawaii has to offer. Thumbtack has supported me in so many ways and I’m incredibly grateful to work for a company that encourages me to be my best self both personally and professionally.

Interested in a career at Thumbtack? View our open roles at thumbtack.com/careers.