How to Start a Business When You’re Always on the Road

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Are you the type who finds sitting still about as appealing as watching paint dry? Do you spend more time in airport lounges than your own living room? You might be thinking this bars you from starting a business right off the best, but you’d be dead wrong on that score! It’s totally possible to start a business when you’re always on the road, as you will see below.

1. Embrace the Digital Nomad Life

Okay, so if you’re always on the move, you need a business that moves with you. Welcome to the world of the digital nomad, where your office might be a beachfront café one day and a mountain lodge the next. Start by defining what kind of business you can operate from your laptop. Think freelance writing, graphic design, or managing a virtual store. The world is your oyster, and your business is the pearl!

2. Cloud-Based Everything

Invest in cloud-based solutions to keep your business running smoothly from anywhere with WiFi. Use online platforms for document storage, project management, and finances. Services like Asana, Google Drive, and QuickBooks can be accessed from anywhere, letting you keep an eye on your business operations whether you’re sipping espresso in Rome or catching a red-eye flight out of Tokyo.

3. Outsource to Stay Sane

Here’s a hot tip: you don’t have to do everything yourself. In fact, you shouldn’t. Outsourcing tasks like social media management, customer service, or even day-to-day administrative duties can free you up to focus on growing your business. Heck, you can even outsource the manufacture of your products to a company like VictoryPCB.  Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are teeming with freelancers who can handle the nitty-gritty, leaving you free to explore the world and generate new ideas.

4. Schedule Like a Pro

When you’re crossing time zones more often than most people cross items off their to-do list, maintaining a schedule is key. Use tools like Calendly or Google Calendar to keep track of meetings, deadlines, and those much-needed down times. Set reminders and alerts so you don’t miss a beat—or a business call just because you were catching a sunset in Bali.

5. Stay Connected

A good internet connection is your lifeline. Invest in a portable WiFi device to avoid the inevitable connectivity issues that can arise in less urban escapes. Also, consider a solid international phone plan so you can always be reached. Your business—and your sanity—will thank you.

6. Build a Mobile-Friendly Business Model

Think about business models that naturally fit a mobile lifestyle. E-commerce is a great option, allowing you to sell products without ever touching them yourself. Dropshipping, for instance, lets suppliers handle the storage and shipping, so you can manage everything remotely without needing a warehouse or physical inventory.

7. Network Globally

Use your travels as an opportunity to network internationally. Attend local meetups, conferences, and workshops wherever you are. Connecting with other professionals can lead to new opportunities, insights, and partnerships that can propel your business forward in ways you might not have imagined.

8. Maintain a Home Base

Even the most fervent traveler needs a home base. Whether it’s a storage unit, a P.O. box, or a trusted friend or family member’s spare room, have somewhere you can keep essential documents and receive mail. This also helps in establishing a legal structure for your business, keeping things legit no matter where your wanderlust takes you.

Starting a business while living a nomadic lifestyle isn’t just possible—it’s potentially the most fulfilling way to do it. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?