That Digital Nomad Life: Tips for Running Your Business While Traveling the World

Being a digital nomad means embracing a life where you can work remotely while traveling to different locations, whether for a few months or several years. For creative women who love to explore and draw inspiration from the world around them, this lifestyle offers the perfect blend of freedom, creativity, and adventure. Imagine designing a space from a café in Paris or finding the spark for your next poem while exploring Mexico City. Yet, while the nomadic lifestyle can be a dream, it comes with unique challenges. Balancing the demands of networking, running a business, and nurturing your creativity while navigating unfamiliar places isn’t easy. But with the right tools and mindset, this lifestyle can empower you to live and work in ways that feel truly authentic and fulfilling. Here’s how to become a digital nomad who runs her business remotely.

How to Become a Digital Nomad Who Runs Her Business Remotely

Step 1: Figure Out Your Goals for Life as a Digital Nomad

The first step to becoming a digital nomad is envisioning what you want your digital nomad life to look like. Are you hoping to find inspiration in different cultures, build connections with new clients, or simply embrace a slower pace of life while balancing your business?

Many digital nomads start their journey by asking themselves what they’re looking to gain from this lifestyle. Think about whether you’d prefer to spend an extended period in one location—allowing you to immerse yourself fully—or if a faster pace, hopping from country to country, aligns more with your personal and professional goals.

Step 2: Determine Whether You Can Actually Work Remotely

Next, take a practical look at your business or job structure. Not all creative work can be done remotely, and understanding what tasks require a physical presence is key to planning your digital nomad lifestyle.

For example, a gallery owner may need to coordinate with staff on-site, while a virtual assistant can easily work remotely from a beach in Costa Rica. Many remote workers find it helpful to assess their responsibilities and determine which aspects of their jobs are location-independent and which aren’t.

Step 3: Create a List of Must-Haves

To stay grounded, create a list of “must-haves” for your ideal nomadic lifestyle. Reliable internet speed might top your list, followed by access to coffee shops or coworking spaces for networking or creative recharge.

You may also need tools for seamless client communication and collaboration, especially if your work involves designing spaces, writing novels, or running a business. Having a clear picture of your priorities will help you tailor your journey to meet your personal and professional needs while avoiding unnecessary frustrations.

Step 4: Do Your Research and Get Your Paperwork in Order

One of the first hurdles in becoming a digital nomad is navigating the complex world of visas. Fortunately, many countries now offer digital nomad visas designed specifically for remote workers. Portugal, for example, offers a visa that allows digital nomads to legally live and work remotely while enjoying the European Union’s charm. Bali has introduced a similar visa option, as has Estonia, which caters to those working online.

For shorter stays, long-stay tourist visas might suffice, but be aware that these don’t usually allow you to work legally. Each visa comes with its own set of requirements, often including a valid passport, proof of income, and sometimes even an application fee. Researching the right visa for your situation is essential to ensuring your nomadic lifestyle doesn’t run afoul of local laws.

What are the Work Restrictions in Each Country You Plan to Visit?

It’s important to understand the work restrictions of the foreign country you plan to visit. Many countries have strict rules about working remotely within their borders, even if your clients or employers are based elsewhere. A remote work visa typically requires proof of minimum income and may restrict the type of work you can perform.

For instance, you may be allowed to provide online services but not to engage in activities that directly compete with local businesses. Overlooking these regulations can result in fines or even deportation, so it’s crucial to fully understand the rules of your host country before you arrive.

Are There Any Travel Restrictions?

Travel restrictions can vary widely depending on global health crises, political unrest, or natural disasters. Staying up-to-date on these factors is essential for planning your digital nomad life.

For example, while countries like South Korea and Costa Rica may attract digital nomads for their vibrant cultures and high internet speed, travel advisories could affect your ability to enter or stay for an extended period. In some cases, your valid health insurance may also require proof of coverage for emergencies in specific locations. Being aware of potential barriers will help you plan a safer and more seamless journey.

Actionable Tip

To simplify your logistics, bookmark resources like Nomad List and Work From Anywhere. These platforms provide detailed information on countries that welcome digital nomads, including visa options, internet speeds, cost of living, and even coworking spaces. By staying informed, you can make smarter decisions and focus on the exciting parts of working remotely in different locations.

Step 5: Invest in Tools and Tech for Staying Connected and Organized

For digital nomads, a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection is as essential as a valid passport. Whether you’re running an interior design firm, sharing your ceramic creations online, or managing a gallery’s operations, high-speed internet ensures you can communicate effectively with clients and collaborators.

Equally important is using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to protect your sensitive data while working online in public places like coffee shops or hotel rooms. Many remote workers rely on VPNs to encrypt their internet connection, especially when dealing with client files, financial data, or proprietary business information.

Tools for Collaboration: Slack, Zoom, Trello, Notion

Effective collaboration tools can make all the difference when working remotely from different locations. Platforms like Slack and Zoom allow you to stay connected with your team and clients in real-time, no matter where you are in the world.

Trello and Notion are excellent for project management, letting you organize tasks, track progress, and share updates in a visually intuitive way. Whether you’re designing a new space, outlining a novel, or coordinating a gallery exhibition, these tools can help streamline communication and keep everyone on the same page.

Managing Time Zones: Scheduling Apps and Calendar Hacks

Navigating time zones is one of the trickiest aspects of remote work, especially for digital nomads who move frequently. Scheduling apps like World Time Buddy or Calendar allow you to view overlapping availability and plan meetings across different time zones.

A good calendar hack is to always include the time in your host country and your home country when scheduling appointments. This approach helps minimize confusion for both you and your clients or colleagues, ensuring smooth communication no matter where you are working remotely.

Step 6: And Test All That Tech Before Traveling

Before embarking on your digital nomad journey, do a trial run with your tech setup in a location away from your usual workspace. Test your Wi-Fi speed, practice using your VPN, and make sure all your collaboration tools work seamlessly.

This will help you identify potential issues and ensures you can hit the ground running once you start your nomadic lifestyle. It might be a small step, but it can save you from headaches down the road and give you confidence in your ability to adapt to working online from anywhere.

Step 7: Set Up Your Finances While Still in the States

Managing your finances across borders requires careful planning. Start by setting up international banking accounts that support multiple currencies or finding credit cards with no foreign transaction fees to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Platforms like Wise (formerly TransferWise) make transferring funds between currencies seamless, while invoicing tools like PayPal and Stripe ensure you can easily bill clients from other countries. If your business involves recurring expenses or working online with global clients, having these tools in place is essential to maintaining financial stability while living a nomadic lifestyle.

Step 8: Plan to Pay Taxes

Taxes are a crucial and often overlooked part of the digital nomad lifestyle. Most countries require you to pay taxes in your home country, even if you’re living abroad for an extended period. Additionally, some countries have agreements that might affect your obligations, like double taxation treaties or requirements tied to a remote work visa. Consulting a tax advisor with experience in expat or remote working arrangements can save you from unexpected surprises and ensure you stay compliant with local laws.

Step 9: Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage

No digital nomad should embark on their journey without proper insurance. Travel insurance protects against unexpected emergencies, from political unrest to natural disasters, while valid health insurance ensures you can access medical care wherever you go.

For those whose businesses rely on equipment like laptops or cameras, adding equipment coverage to your plan is a smart move. Look for insurance providers that cater to digital nomads and remote workers, offering comprehensive packages that fit your unique needs.

Before hitting the road, consult a financial planner who specializes in remote work or expat living. They can help you navigate banking, taxes, and insurance while creating a long-term strategy to support your nomadic lifestyle. It’s an investment in peace of mind and financial security.

Step 10: Get Ready to Network Abroad

Networking doesn’t have to stop when you’re working remotely. Your business can continue growing no matter where you travel. Virtual coffee chats, joining creative online groups, and attending webinars are excellent ways to stay connected to your industry.

Many digital nomads use platforms like LinkedIn or Slack communities to nurture professional relationships and find collaboration opportunities. This approach can be especially valuable for interior designers, novelists, or gallery owners who want to maintain their visibility while exploring the world.

But don’t forget, maintaining your current network is just as important as building new connections. Thoughtful updates, such as sharing postcards, hosting virtual updates, or using Instagram Stories to highlight your journey, can keep you top-of-mind with clients and collaborators. Simple gestures show you’re still engaged in your professional community, even if you’re physically far away.

Step 11: Creating a Work-Travel Routine That Inspires You

Establishing balance between work and travel is essential to avoid burnout. Time-blocking your schedule can help you dedicate specific hours to focused work while leaving plenty of time to explore your surroundings. Incorporating “creative recharge” days to relax and soak up inspiration from local culture can also boost your productivity.

Traveling as a digital nomad gives you the chance to draw inspiration from different locations. Visit local museums, attend architecture tours, or participate in workshops to infuse new ideas into your creative work. This approach can be transformative for makers, artists, and writers seeking fresh perspectives.

Be Sure to Set Boundaries

One of the challenges of digital nomad life is that the line between work and leisure can blur. Setting clear boundaries—like no emails after a certain hour or reserving weekends for exploration—ensures you maintain a healthy balance. Remember, the goal of this lifestyle isn’t just to work remotely but to enjoy the journey.

Final Thoughts: Is This Lifestyle for You?

Digital nomad jobs offer freedom, inspiration, and the chance to work from incredible places around the world—but this lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges. Take some time to reflect on what excites you most about this way of living. Is it the idea of exploring different cultures, working online from a cozy coffee shop in a foreign country, or finding a deeper connection with your creativity? At the same time, consider what concerns you, whether it’s financial stability, being away from family members, or adjusting to life in different locations.

If you’re unsure, consider starting small with a trial run. Spend a month working remotely from a nearby city or a country you’ve always wanted to visit. This test period can help you decide if the balance between remote work and travel fits your personality and business needs. And remember, it’s okay if the nomadic lifestyle isn’t for you. Not everyone thrives on constant movement, and you can always integrate travel into your life in smaller, more manageable doses. Flexibility is the real key to designing a life you love.