We’re introducing our “Your Houzz” blog series, where we’ll get to know more about Houzzers’ lives both inside and outside of the office. We know that being a Houzzer is only one part of what makes our team amazing and we look forward to learning more about all of the incredible Houzzers we have in the family.

In honor of Father’s Day this month, we asked a few Houzzers how their fathers have influenced and supported their careers, and received tips from Houzz dads for working from home with kids during the coronavirus pandemic.

How has your dad influenced your career?
“The biggest lesson my dad taught me growing up was to be kind to everyone I come in contact with. He also taught me that in life not everyone will see things the way I see them, but it doesn’t mean I should respect them any less. And finally, he taught me to never judge a book by its cover and to read the book (get to know a person), before making any judgments. All of these lessons have not only helped me in my personal life, but it has helped me elevate my career in Talent Acquisition. Recruiters are often the front line or “gatekeepers” of organizations, and what that means is we are also the first impression for candidates that may be pursuing our companies. These lessons remind me that it is important to get to know people for who they are, and I like to think this not only leaves a great first impression, but also allows me to thoroughly vet candidates in an effective and non-biased manner.” – Chuck G., Talent Acquisition

“My dad taught me Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and HTML at age 12, and email marketing at age 17 – and now I use all of those skills in my job as a content marketer! He worked from home and I did homework in the same office when I was growing up, so I picked up a lot of skills. I wouldn’t be where I am without him teaching me the fundamentals of marketing and connecting me with his former client to give me valuable experience for my resume. Now, we talk about sales enablement over dinner and we compare strategies across industries (automotive for him, home remodeling for me!).” – Hope D., Industry Marketing

What are some of your tips for working at home with your kids?
“Give [your kids] lots of attention during breaks and lunch. Also, teach them that the office is off-limits during working hours. I plan an end of the day game with each of them, so they are looking forward to me being off of work.” -Ryan A., Houzz Pro Sales

“1. Make time to have breakfast and lunch together as a family. Before [the pandemic] we couldn’t do that.

2. Coordinate your calendar with your partner’s.

3. Since the office is your home now, be flexible as to when you will be online. However, let your team know that if you’re sending emails late at night, you don’t expect for them to respond that same night.

4. Incorporate your kids into your workflow. Let them play in your office space and maybe even participate in a few video calls (if you can). Give them something to draw on and play like they’re your assistants.

5. When you finish your day, be there for them. Don’t check your email, chat, text or check on social media. Be in the moment. Not every day will be the same and not every day will be easy, but making the effort will give you energy to do your best the next day.” – Angel A., People Services