Tip 07: Create Your Own Business to Pay for Travel
Why not be your own boss?
When I migrated to America, I knew one thing for sure. I never wanted another corporate nine-to-five for as long as I lived. So far, so good! But, how did I achieve that? I turned my writing side-gig into a business that generated enough revenue to cut me loose from a paycheck at work.
It was a lot of hard work, but ultimately, it was one of the best decisions I made for travel and the rest of my life.
If true freedom and independence are what you crave, nothing beats creating your income and calling the shots. The important thing to remember is that your business must either be mobile or seasonal to work.
How To Pick a Business Idea
Before you start looking into business ideas, know that being an entrepreneur is hard. There is a lot of unpaid work in the beginning, so if the work you’re thinking of isn’t something you’d happily do for free? Choose something else!
Here are some examples to consider:
Now that you’re about to start visiting some Instagram-worthy places, it might be time to launch your photography business.
Offer to create content for companies looking to work with full-time travelers, such as RV companies.
If you built your own rig, offer services to other people trying to do the same or sell the plans.
Leverage your existing work experience to serve clients as a consultant.
Become a pet-sitter on the road, so adventurers can hit pet-free trails without worrying about Fido overheating while dry camping in the RV.
Rent or Airbnb the properties you own and hire a management service — or someone you know and trust — to run them while you roam.
Run a Christmas or fireworks lot for fall into the New Year and then travel for the rest of the time.
This list is only meant to get your creative juices flowing. Take some time to envision how you see yourself making money on the road and then take the steps to bridge that gap. Also, be open to moving on to more lucrative opportunities that might arise on the road.
Want information on how I created my business from scratch at 16 years old, next week? Consider becoming a paid subscriber! I will also cover some important considerations for creating a business, such as name reservations, business formations, taxes, and other legal matters.
If you’re not a paid subscriber, see you in two weeks!
— Alexis Chateau