The Freedom to Move Anywhere: How Building My Business Helped Me Move My Family Overseas
Curious about what it takes to build a business that supports ultimate freedom? Here’s my story of creating location-independent businesses that allowed me to move my family across the world—and how you can do it too.
From Office Daydream to Reality
Imagine having the freedom to pack up and move anywhere in the world, with no job tying you down to a specific city or country. For many people, that’s the ultimate dream—and thanks to my decision to build my own business, it became a reality for my family and me. As I share in my book, Soar! Ignite Your Feminine Fire for Life, Balance, and Six-Figure+ Success, this dream wasn’t just a passing fantasy; it became my driving force. I was exhausted by the corporate hamster wheel, frustrated by the boys’ club culture, sexual harassment, and seeing my ideas overlooked or even stolen. I longed for a life where I could work from anywhere, build financial independence, and create unforgettable experiences for my family.
Starting my own business was the first step toward creating that freedom. It wasn’t easy—there were plenty of sleepless nights and doubts along the way—but the rewards have been extraordinary, both personally and professionally. This wasn’t just about leaving the corporate grind; it was a journey of rediscovering my own power, tuning into the unique energy and strength of my feminine approach, and crafting a business that could sustain not just my income but also my joy and fulfillment.
In this post, I’ll share with you how I built a location-independent business that allowed us to move overseas and embrace a life of flexibility, adventure, and autonomy. If you’re dreaming of crafting a business that gives you the freedom to live anywhere, I’ll walk you through the steps you can take to make that happen. Let’s dive in!
The Dream of Location Independence: Why I Wanted the Freedom to Move
For years, I dreamed of having the freedom to travel and live in different parts of the world. I didn’t want to feel restricted by a traditional job or a windowless cubicle existence that required me to be in one place. I wanted my family to experience new cultures, languages, and landscapes and to open up opportunities for my son to see the world in ways that only travel and immersion could provide.
Starting a business was my way of taking control over my time and my location. I knew that a location-independent business could offer us stability, flexibility, and adventure all at once. That vision became my “why” and drove me to put in the hard work to make it a reality.
Takeaway:
Defining a strong “why” can serve as motivation on your journey. Whether it’s a desire to move overseas, travel the world, or simply have more freedom, knowing your purpose gives you a goal to work toward.
How to Build a Location-Independent Business: Building a Business that Supports Mobility
Creating a business that gives you the freedom to live and work anywhere starts with careful planning and intentional action. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you go from idea to income:
Step 1: Identify Your Location-Independent Business Idea
Not every business model is suited to location independence, so I started by choosing a business structure that allowed for flexibility. Think about your skills, passions, and market needs. A location-independent business works best in digital-friendly fields like consulting, coaching, digital products, content creation, or e-commerce. Explore areas where you can add value and solve problems, as these are often the most profitable and fulfilling.
I focused on building a digital, service-based business that could operate entirely online. Over the years, I’ve built and sold several businesses. My other businesses also included selling digital and physical products as well as affiliate marketing. All of these businesses allowed me to work from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection.
- Creating an Online Service Offering: To make my business mobile, I leaned into offering services that could be delivered remotely. Consulting, coaching, and digital products became my core offerings, and I leveraged video calls, emails, and cloud-based tools to deliver results.
- Choosing Scalable, Passive Income Streams: Beyond one-on-one services, I also developed digital products and courses. These gave me the opportunity to generate passive income, which allowed me to continue earning even when I wasn’t actively working.
Takeaway:
When building a location-independent business, consider models that allow for remote work and scalability. Digital products, coaching, consulting, or e-commerce are all viable options.
If you need help brainstorming ideas for a flexible business, join us in the Success Sanctuary Club for community support, or connect with Mindful Mavericks for more personalized attention.
Step 2: Map Out Your Business Plan
Outline your goals, target audience, revenue streams, and marketing strategies. A solid business plan doesn’t need to be complicated—just clear and focused. Decide if you want to offer services, products, or both. Think about whether you’ll primarily generate income through active work (like coaching sessions) or passive income (like courses or digital products that sell while you’re offline).
I use simple GoogleDocs and Google Sheets to map out my business plans. If you need some business plan templates to get you started, join the Success Sanctuary Club. We’ve got many free business planning templates and resources in the “Guides” section of the community.
Step 3: Organize Your Systems: Leveraging Technology to Run a Business from Anywhere
One of the biggest challenges to location independence is staying organized and productive while on the go. Fortunately, there are countless tools that make remote work easier. I invested time in finding the right tech stack that allowed me to communicate with clients, manage projects, and keep my business running smoothly from anywhere.
- Client Management and Communication: Tools like Zoom for video calls, Basecamp for team communication, and Calendly for scheduling made it easy to stay connected with clients and collaborators, no matter where I was in the world.
- Project Management: I rely on Basecamp for project management, keeping me organized and ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks, even while juggling travel plans and family commitments.
- Cloud Storage and Document Sharing: Using Google Workspace and Dropbox, I could access and share documents easily, without needing to worry about storing files on a single computer.
- Email and Affiliate Marketing: Depending on business scope and size, I’ve used Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or Keap (formerly Infusionsoft) for email and affiliate marketing. (important note:I only recommend Keap when your email list gets over 50,000 subscribers or requires complicated funnels. I recommend Kit when you’re just starting out, you have simple funnel needs or your subscriber list size is smaller.)
Takeaway:
Building a tech toolkit is essential for running a mobile business. Invest in tools that make communication, organization, and document storage seamless.
Step 4: Market Your Business Online
Marketing is key to attracting clients or customers, and digital channels make this possible from anywhere. Establish a presence on social media, create valuable content, and build an email list to connect with your audience. Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or a personal blog can be great starting points, depending on where your ideal audience spends their time.
Marketing is essential for attracting clients or customers, and online channels make it possible to reach your audience from anywhere. Here’s how to start:
- Identify Your Ideal Platform(s):
- Research where your target audience spends their time—Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, or even niche communities.
- Focus on 1-2 platforms initially to avoid overwhelm and maximize your impact.
- Create Valuable Content:
- Share content that educates, entertains, or inspires your audience, aligning with their interests and needs.
- Offer a mix of posts, stories, and videos to keep your audience engaged and build credibility as an expert.
- Consider content like how-to guides, tutorials, case studies, or behind-the-scenes insights.
- Start Building an Email List:
- Offer a freebie, like a checklist, mini-course, or e-book, to encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list.
- Use tools like Kit (formerly ConvertKit) for email management, allowing you to nurture your subscribers and build loyalty.
- Send weekly or bi-weekly newsletters with valuable tips, exclusive offers, and updates.
- Engage with Your Audience Regularly:
- Respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with your followers to create a sense of community.
- Run polls, Q&A sessions, or go live on social media to boost engagement and connect more personally with your audience.
- Collaborate with Others in Your Industry:
- Partner with other entrepreneurs for guest blogging, joint social media live sessions, or co-hosted webinars.
- Collaborations can expand your reach, introduce you to new audiences, and add credibility.
- Leverage SEO for Long-Term Reach:
- Optimize blog posts and website content with relevant keywords to improve visibility on search engines.
- Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find keywords your target audience is searching for.
- Invest in Paid Ads (If Relevant):
- For faster growth, consider running targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Google.
- Start with a small budget and test different ad creatives and audiences to see what works best.
- Track Your Results:
- Use analytics tools (e.g., Instagram Insights, Google Analytics) to measure what’s working and adjust your strategy as needed.
- Focus on metrics like engagement rate, email open rates, and website traffic to see where your efforts are most effective.
If you’re serious about building a location-independent business and want more in-depth support on marketing strategies, come join us in the Success Sanctuary Club, or connect with Mindful Mavericks for personalized guidance.
Inspired Action
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Step 5. Preparing for the Move: Financial Planning and Flexibility
Moving overseas comes with both anticipated and unexpected expenses, so financial planning was crucial. I needed to make sure my business was financially stable before making such a big move. To do this, I built up savings, streamlined my expenses, and created a financial buffer that would allow for unexpected costs.
- Building a Financial Cushion: I saved at least six months’ worth of expenses to cover any gaps in income or unexpected costs related to the move, such as international shipping, visa fees, and housing deposits.
- Establishing a Consistent Revenue Stream: Before moving, I ensured that my business had steady, recurring income through monthly clients and digital products. This stability made the transition much less stressful, knowing I had a reliable cash flow.
Takeaway:
Financial stability and planning are key when moving overseas. Make sure your business has consistent revenue, and save a cushion for unexpected expenses to give yourself peace of mind.
Step 6. Embracing Flexibility and the Mindset of Adaptability
Moving to a new country with a business in tow requires a flexible mindset. There were times when I needed to shift client calls to accommodate different time zones, adjust my work hours, and learn to work from anywhere. Adaptability became one of my biggest assets.
- Adjusting to Time Zones and New Routines: Working across time zones was an adjustment. I found that setting regular office hours and communicating my availability to clients helped manage expectations and establish a new routine that worked for everyone.
- Building a Local Support Network: I created my own Facebook groups to connect with locals who shared my interests. I attended networking events in my new home city to meet interesting people and learn. And, I sought out local coworking spaces and connected with other expats and business owners. This helped me find community and support, which was invaluable in adjusting to a new place while keeping my business on track.
Takeaway:
Flexibility and adaptability are essential for thriving as a business owner abroad. Be willing to make adjustments and build a support network to ease the transition.
Step 7. The Rewards of a Location-Independent Life
Today, my family and I are living the life we dreamed of. We’ve experienced new cultures, languages, and landscapes that have enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. The freedom to choose where we live and work has been empowering, and I’ve found a renewed sense of purpose in my business, knowing it’s a vehicle for creating meaningful experiences.
- Experiences Beyond the Usual Comfort Zone: Living abroad has opened my family up to new ways of seeing the world. From tasting new foods to learning a second language, these experiences have been invaluable for personal growth.
- Professional Growth and Opportunities: Running a business abroad has expanded my network and introduced me to new clients, partnerships, and opportunities I may never have encountered otherwise.
Takeaway:
The rewards of a location-independent life are boundless—from personal growth to professional expansion. Building a mobile business opens doors to new experiences and relationships that enrich every aspect of life.
Building a location-independent business that allowed me to move overseas has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. It’s given me and my family the freedom to explore, grow, and experience the world without limits. If you’re dreaming of similar freedom, know that it’s possible with the right planning, adaptability, and commitment to your vision.
Whether it’s the allure of new cultures or simply the desire for more flexibility in your life, creating a business that supports location independence can transform your life. It takes work, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown, but the payoff is a life of freedom and adventure.
Join The Conversation!
What’s the dream destination you’d love to move to if you had complete freedom? Share your vision with us in the Success Sanctuary Club, where other women are building businesses to support their dreams, too. And if this story inspired you, share this post with a friend who might benefit from a fresh perspective on building a life of freedom!
About the Author
Jen Wittman is a celebrated business strategist and transformation coach, guiding women to unmatched success and balanced lifestyles. A multi 6-figure CEO and the creative force behind the SOAR Success Method™, Jen is revolutionizing the way ambitious women approach success. As the one-woman problem-solving dynamo behind Mindful Mavericks™ and The Success Sanctuary™, Jen guides women to tap into their unique feminine power to create thriving businesses that harmonize with their dream lifestyles.
Her unique blend of strategic brilliance and holistic wisdom has transformed countless women’s lives, leaving them with unshakeable clarity, enviable ease, and the kind of success that turns heads. When she’s not empowering women to soar, you’ll find Jen soaking up the sun with her husband and teenage son in her adopted home of Lisbon, Portugal.
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