I’m willing to bet that right now if I survey everyone reading this sentence, they at some point have had a dream to travel, start a business, or both. Yes, from being able to go on Stonehenge Tours in-between work to surfing in Costa Rica, everyone has some sort of travel goal. Even more, everyone wants to either be self-employed or the boss.
So, why not do both? While it’s going to take a little bit of foundational building before you jet off, there are a few business models you can follow that allows you to travel and work. And although these may take a couple of months to get off the ground, you’ll be going abroad in no-time. Here’s how:
Traditional eCommerce Shop
A traditional eCommerce shop could be an excellent solution to a business you could run remotely. The only components you need for staff is a developer in place to update the store, as well as a shipping manager to handle orders. However, before you can begin hiring, make sure you have your bases covered with a brand, URL, and an LLC. From there, it’s time to start your research.
When addressing how your store should be set up and run, the first thing you have to look at is the inventory that you’ve selected, as well as the buying process associated with that. For example, take a look at the boot maker Taft , who showcases their different stylings, sizing, and reviews in a simple, but clean way. Additionally, try to have your goods be within a reasonable access, as having delays while you’re abroad will only be more of a headache than it’s worth. The overarching goal is to keep it simple, then work from there.
Dropshipping Company
While similar to a traditional eCommerce shop, drop shipping is an eCommerce model where drop shippers play as an intermediary between the producer and consumer. Essentially, this means that a customer purchases from your web shop, their shipping information is sent to the distributor, while you collect the payment and send them their portion. The best part? It doesn’t require any other employees, with plenty of resources out there to help with all the logistical elements.
One downside to this over traditional eCommerce is that you run the risk of having to charge higher prices on items others can get much lower by buying in bulk. However, by providing a unique inventory that others can’t match, you could potentially make a significant amount of money off this while traveling.
Content Marketing
If you have a talent for writing then starting a content marketing shop is something that can be completely done abroad. While I’d recommend securing a list of clients on retainer before you take off, as long as you’re able to budget the time to create content, then this can be a relatively easy practice to take on. And as noted by Hubspot, with 53% of marketers saying that content creation is important, there’s most definitely a market out there to accrue some revenue.
Make a list of subjects that you feel comfortable writing about, no matter how big or small of an industry you think it is. As long as it’s an area that people are already willing to read, then it’s worth putting down on paper. Next, try to find publications or companies that need more content, and submit some sample pieces. Once you get used to pitching, this will start to become easier and easier, allowing you to eventually build your travel safety net.
Software Development
Finally, being a freelance software or web developer can be an excellent strategy to starting a business on the road. According to Payscale, the average salary for a developer ranges around $81,463 , which can take you pretty far abroad. Additionally, if this is something you’re seriously considering but don’t have the skillset quite yet, there are plenty of free resources like Codeacademy or MIT’s Open Courseware . These are excellent tools to help you get started learning to program, as you’d be surprised at how quickly you can pick up on it.
Once you feel comfortable with your abilities, try looking around for remote contracts for development. While a lot of the higher paying gigs are going to require either more experience or an understanding of a relatively new language, you’ll still be able to make good money even a couple months in. All-in-all, this is a gig that can only become more lucrative, and one that you should hop on sooner rather than later.
With so many different entrepreneurial avenues to embark on that are fit for travel, what are some that you’re considering? Comment with your answers below!
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
