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Christelle believes neighborhoods have the power to bring remote workers together—and she’s probably right.
As work has evolved, so has our perspective on where we work. Once we realized that work was no longer tied to a specific location:
- Our days were no longer dictated by commutes.
- We gained flexibility and reclaimed time for what mattered.
But just because we could work from anywhere didn’t mean we had to work from home. Because let’s face it—working from home isn’t the same as remote working.
- Many of us hunched over dining tables, perched on uncomfortable chairs.
- We missed real, human connections—the spark that fuels creativity and purpose.
If remote work is going to work for everyone, we need to think bigger than WFH.
That’s exactly why Christelle founded Codi. Here’s her Remote Works story.
“Working remotely means your neighbors become your new coworkers. That fuels us as humans.”
Christelle Rohaut, CEO and co-founder of Codi, San Francisco
The first time Christelle worked out of someone else’s home, she was studying for her Master’s. Living and working from her apartment in California, she found herself constantly pacing between her table and the fridge—unable to focus.
She tried different workspaces:
- Coffee shops – Cozy lighting, smooth jazz, and plush seating… but also overcrowded tables and battles for power outlets.
- Coworking spaces – Just a mini office, with identical desks and stressful commutes. She hated it.
“There had to be a better way,” she thought. So she called a friend and worked at her home instead. That’s when it clicked.
- Every neighborhood is filled with empty homes and apartments during the day.
- These spaces could be great places to work.
And that’s how the idea for Codi was born.
“I always say the Codi story started as a network of neighbors working from each other’s homes. Every neighborhood has remote workers—they naturally form communities. We’re just helping them connect.”
“Working from home doesn’t work for everyone. If you assume that everyone has the right space to work, you can’t create an equitable workplace.”
Christelle heads to a hub in her neighborhood a few times a week. It’s more than just a change of location—it’s a mindset shift. This routine helps her:
- Maintain a clear separation between home and work life.
- Prioritize her mental health by being intentional about her environment.
“Lots of companies assumed remote work meant working from home,” she says. “But that doesn’t work for everyone. If you assume everyone has the right space to work, you can’t create an equitable workplace.”
For Christelle, getting out of the house isn’t just practical—it’s essential:
- A short walk or bike ride makes her feel healthier and more focused.
- A new setting boosts creativity and helps her thrive.
It also leads to unexpected collaboration. At her local Codi hub, she works alongside coworkers she wouldn’t normally interact with.
“I have my digital coworkers and my in-person coworkers,” she says. “I tend to work more with the team in New York City, but I actually see more of my San Francisco-based colleagues—mostly engineers and designers.”
And that, she believes, fuels innovation. “Talking with someone from a different team helps us be more open-minded and step out of our bubbles.”
“By working in my neighborhood, I’m helping it thrive.”
Christelle’s walk home winds through her local neighborhood, accompanied by her favorite podcasts—Redefining HR and How I Built This.
“I studied city planning, so I’m very attached to my neighborhood,” she says. “If I commute to work, I’m spending money outside my community—giving it to a big corporation downtown. But when my workspace is within walking distance, that money stays local.”
For Christelle, it’s more than just convenience:
- Living, working, and buying lunch locally helps her community thrive.
- It’s a lifestyle she’d never get in a big downtown office.
“We’re not just changing how we work—we’re redefining where we work and who we work with. Your neighbors become your coworkers. You share ideas with people in different fields. And that fuels us as humans.”
