Workspace: Inspirations All Around (and a Gym Downstairs)

WHERE SHE IS We’re at 895 Broadway in Manhattan, right above one of our Equinox clubs. My office is one floor above the top floor of the club. I can hear music pumping through underneath me during group fitness classes. I like it, actually. It’s inspiring.

WORLDLY VIEW You have to have a globe when you are a global citizen. I was born in New Zealand. I grew up in London. I moved to the United States in my 20s and became an American.

ATHLETIC INSPIRATIONS I have photos of Derek Jeter and Serena Williams that they signed. On a different wall, I also have one of my father, who was a rugby player.

DAILY BLOOMS It’s nice to have something fresh there on a daily basis. Maybe that’s the feminine side of me coming out. That is done by my assistant.

NEAT OR MESSY? Despite my best efforts to be tidy, I never am. I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I am comfortable with that, because it says something about me. I’m one of those people who have a lot on her their desks, and for me those are little pieces of inspiration.

DEVICE JUGGLING My workspace is really my phone, tablet and computer. I tend to navigate among them all day.

LAPTOP FRIENDLY My MacBook Air has to fit inside my handbag. It’s a Tory Burch bag.

FLATS, HEELS, SNEAKERS I come in every morning wearing flats, carrying a little bag with heels in it. Then I always have sneakers and workout gear in my office, because at any moment I like to know that I can pop down to the club.

FIRST-STRING SEAT I try to sit on the exercise ball on and off during the day. I find it hard to sit on one for long periods of time, but that forces me to get up and move around more, which is something I am really working hard on right now. I don’t want to remain seated all day.

SECOND-STRING SEAT That desk chair is something I inherited. I focus more on the exercise ball.

CARPET-FREE ZONE The building has hardwood floors. They have character. They are creaky.

PENCIL BOUQUET We have a bunch of pencils that have the Equinox logo and flags on them, which we made when we were celebrating our move to London. I love looking at them on the desk and remembering the day we had the meeting and celebrated.

Interview conducted by Edward Lewine. Comments have been edited and condensed.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/business/workspace-inspirations-all-around-and-a-gym-downstairs.html?partner=rss&emc=rss