How a Broadway Actor Designed a Home Office Suited to His Side Hustles
Broadway actor Justin is a man of many talents: When he’s not performing in Tina! The Tina Turner Musical, he’s photographing other performers’ headshots for his side hustle, Jshoots. But when the pandemic hit and Broadway closed, Justin was doing it all in the New York apartment he shares with his fitness instructor boyfriend — who, of course, was also working from home.
With Broadway on hiatus, Justin was spending more time on Jshoots, plus launching a wellness coaching service, Just Human Well. Longer hours at his desk meant he needed a flexible workspace that worked for him all day long and fit his new lifestyle. It’s not easy coordinating TWO full-time jobs!
“I’ve always been a work from home dude, but I’ve never been a work from desk dude,” Justin says. “This is all new for me.” He needed a space that could accommodate retouching photos, coaching clients via webcam, joining calls, taking meetings, and everything in between. He created just that, using advice and products from Staples Connect™. And you can, too: Head to your local Staples store to shop his WFH setup, plus discover more products, services, and inspiration for working and learning.
Put Comfort First
Everyone should have a desk chair that supports their physical health, but that goes double for a dancer and performer like Justin. Designed with the help of a chiropractor, the all33 BackStrong chair improves posture, circulation, and energy — meaning Justin still has enough oomph at the end of the day for a workout. With Sit In Motion® technology, the chair keeps your vertebrae stacked in an ideal position, no matter how you’re sitting. And a LogiTech ergonomic keyboard protects Justin’s hands and wrists during long photo-editing sessions.
Make Style Functional
Since Justin’s WFH setup is in his main living area, it had to suit his home’s aesthetic. His Ridgecrest Writing Desk has a modern industrial style that fits right in, plus a ton of surface space. A handsome update on plastic chair mats, the Rug’d chair mat protects Justin’s beautiful hardwood floors and looks good doing it.
Stay Organized
Now that Justin has two full-time jobs — coaching and photography — his organizational efforts needed an upgrade. A slim filing cabinet lets him keep all his hustles separate, which helps him focus. Two cute wall shelves corral supplies while keeping desktop clutter to a minimum.
This WFH space lets Justin immerse himself in the work he loves, and he’s looking forward to how it evolves. “I’m excited for Broadway to come back because it will be zany and busy and crazy and all the things that I love,” he says. “But my desk has become a new home, and one that fits me surprisingly well.”