Emma Grede, Skims Cofounder, Says Working from Home Is ‘Career Suicide’

Key facts

• Emma Grede is a cofounder of Skims and CEO of Good American.
• She is the first Black female investor to appear on 'Shark Tank'.
• Grede called working from home 'career suicide' on the 'Leaders with Francine Lacqua' podcast.
• She linked remote work to declining birth rates, declining marriage rates, and the loneliness epidemic.
• Grede did 'a lot of unpaid internships' despite financial strain, calling them a 'huge unlock'.
• Her new book 'Start With Yourself' reveals her secrets to success.
• She previously said asking about work-life balance in job interviews is a 'red flag'.

The Lede: A Controversial Stance on Remote Work

Emma Grede, the East London-born entrepreneur who helped build Kim Kardashian’s billion-dollar shapewear brand Skims, has ignited a fresh debate by declaring that working from home is 'career suicide.' In a podcast episode released Monday, Grede argued that the professional and social costs of remote work are being overlooked, and that the trend is exacting a hidden toll on society. Grede, 43, made the comments on Bloomberg's 'Leaders with Francine Lacqua' podcast, where she did not mince words. 'We only talk about the upside of working from home,' she said, insisting that the downsides—from missed promotions to eroded social bonds—deserve far more scrutiny.

The Social Consequences of Remote Work

Grede drew a direct line between the rise of remote work and several troubling societal trends. 'Think about what’s happening in the world. Declining birth rates, declining marriage rates, and the loneliness epidemic,' she said. 'And we think that none of that is linked to the number of people that like, don't see people because they're doing Zoom calls from the living room?' She called it 'so crazy' not to acknowledge the correlation, adding that 'the key to a long and happy life is your close relationships.' For Grede, the erosion of in-person interaction is reshaping how people form and maintain connections, with consequences that extend far beyond the workplace.

The Value of Being in the Room

Grede emphasized that physical presence is especially critical early in one’s career. 'For the start of your career, being in the room is crucial,' she said, drawing on her own experience. Despite coming from a background with limited money, she took on 'a lot of unpaid internships' because they offered access, learning, and visibility that remote setups cannot replicate. She described those early opportunities as a 'huge unlock' that gave her an inside understanding of how organizations really work. Her message to young professionals is clear: the trade-off of unpaid labor for real-world exposure can be worth it, even if the financial strain is real.

A Pattern of Tough Talk on Workplace Culture

This is not the first time Grede has taken a hard line on workplace norms. Last year, she made headlines by saying that asking about work-life balance during a job interview is a 'red flag,' arguing that managing that balance is the individual’s responsibility, not the employer’s. Her latest comments reinforce a broader philosophy: that career advancement requires sacrifice and presence, and that remote work is a threat to both. Grede, who is also the CEO of Good American and the first Black female investor to appear on 'Shark Tank,' has built her reputation on blunt, no-apologies advice. Her new book, 'Start With Yourself,' which she describes as revealing her secrets to success, is likely to amplify her message.

The Backlash and the Book

Grede has faced recent backlash after referring to herself as a 'three-hour mum' and branding working from home a 'career killer' for women. Critics argue that her perspective ignores the realities of working parents and those without access to childcare or flexible arrangements. Yet Grede remains unapologetic, insisting that her views are grounded in her own path from unpaid internships to multi-millionaire status. In 'Start With Yourself,' she aims to share the principles that propelled her rise, from East London to the helm of global fashion brands. The book, she says, is for those willing to hear hard truths about what it takes to succeed—and what it costs.

What Comes Next

Grede’s comments are likely to fuel ongoing debate about the future of work, especially as companies grapple with return-to-office mandates and hybrid models. Her high-profile platform—as a Skims cofounder, 'Shark Tank' investor, and now author—ensures her views will reach a wide audience. Whether her warnings about remote work’s social fallout gain traction remains to be seen, but she has already succeeded in putting the issue back in the spotlight. For now, Grede is doubling down on her message: visibility matters, relationships matter, and being in the room—whether for an unpaid internship or a board meeting—is the price of admission to the top.

The bottom line

• Emma Grede calls working from home 'career suicide,' citing professional and social costs.
• She links remote work to declining birth rates, marriage rates, and the loneliness epidemic.
• Grede argues that in-person presence is crucial, especially early in a career.
• She did unpaid internships despite financial hardship, calling them a 'huge unlock'.
• Her new book 'Start With Yourself' outlines her success principles.
• Grede previously said asking about work-life balance in interviews is a 'red flag'.