People often ask what it's like to run a tech company from New Zealand. The short answer: it's quieter than San Francisco, but the work is just as intense.
6:00 AM � Morning Routine
I'm up early to catch the tail end of the US business day. A quick check of Slack and emails while the coffee brews. The time difference is brutal, but it means I can sync with our US users before they log off.
9:00 AM � Deep Work
The morning is my most productive time. No meetings, no distractions. Just me and the code. I work from a home office that overlooks the Waitemata Harbour. It's hard to beat.
1:00 PM � Team Standup
We're a distributed team, so our standup is over Zoom. Three developers, one designer, all working remotely. We keep it short: what did you do, what will you do, what's blocking you.
3:00 PM � Customer Support
I spend an hour every day answering support emails. It's not glamorous, but it keeps me connected to our users. You'd be amazed what you learn from a simple "how do I..." question.
6:00 PM � Family Time
This is non-negotiable. Dinner with the family, help with homework, maybe a walk along the beach. The work-life balance is why I chose Auckland over the Valley.
Running a company from New Zealand has its challenges�time zones, distance from investors, smaller talent pool. But the quality of life is unmatched. I wouldn't trade it.
