373 - Jay Torres

Jay Torres is a sales engineer living in Laguna Beach, CA with his wife, two kids, and their corgi, Penny.

He was previously a line cook and has tinkered on many different projects over the years.

Twitter (X) → twitter.com/jaytorres

Inside Jay's Workspace

Workspace Tools

• 2020 M1 MacBook Air
• AirPods Pro 1st Generation
• AirPods Max
• Apple Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad
• HomePod mini
• Nomad Wireless charger
• Blue Yeti Microphone
• Samsung 42” 4K TV
• Ikea Micke Desk
• Ikea Skadis pegboard
• Replica white plastic Eames chair
• Felt desk mat
• Moleskin notebook
• Studio Neat Mark One pen

Software

• Spark
• Parallels
• Safari
• Fantastical
• Craft
• Zendesk
• Things

What is your favorite item in your workspace?

I have two. My 2020 M1 MacBook Air is my favorite computer I’ve ever owned. It is lightweight, the battery still lasts a full day after 2 years of use, and it is my main device for work and creating content.

My wife also printed out and framed this tweet of mine. There’s a some back story but it means a lot to me.

How do you spark creativity?

In two ways: going for a hike or by watching YouTube. Hiking outside forces me to be alone with my thoughts. I often come up with new ideas when I let my mind wander. YouTube also inspires me. There are a ton of creators out there and watching others’ videos makes me want to make my own.

How do you manage work-life balance?

I exercise, do chores, run errands during the day to break up my work day. Once I pick up the kids from school around 3pm, I put work aside. I will help them with homework, get dinner ready, and spend time with my wife and kids until it’s time to put them to bed. In the evening, I’ll catch up on things from the late afternoon.

What do you think is the main benefit of remote work?

For me, it’s the flexibility. I would never give up the flexibility of a remote or hybrid job. Growing up, my parents were never able to pick me up from school because they had jobs they needed to be at physically. I did not get to spend a lot of after school time with them. I want to be there for my kids as much as possible and having the flexibility of a remote job allows that.