If you want to run a business but you also want to travel, it has never been less difficult to do so. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, but the ranks of traveling business owners and the resources available to them are larger than ever before, as evidenced by the growth of coworking spaces worldwide. Many aspects of running a company that allows you to travel are the same as those of running any business, but there are some additional elements you will need to take into account.
Your Lifestyle
The first thing to consider is your lifestyle. Do you want to primarily earn a passive income, which allows you to make money without having to attend to things on a regular basis? While this may sound desirable, it’s not easy to achieve and can take a long to succeed at. Another thing to think about is the kind of travel that you want to do. Do you plan to have a home base? Do you primarily want to travel domestically, or do you hope that the world will be your oyster? Does the idea of running a company from an RV or a van appeal to you, or do you want to maintain a more conventional home base but hope to be able to take off when you feel like it and run things from your laptop? Are you aware of common travel problems and how to avoid them in general? Answering these questions will give you some insight into how to proceed.
Nailing Down the Basics
You still need to get all the basics of a business in place. That means creating a solid business plan, looking for funding, and making sure that you have all the right documentation in place, including tax documentation. Your business plan will help ensure that you have thought through marketing and other elements of your venture. A small business loan can be a great option for funding, and you can search and apply online for a loan that suits your needs. Some will require you to already be operating before you are eligible, but it’s a good idea to give your business idea a test run before you hit the road anyway.
Ideas for Travel-Friendly Businesses
While some people may first think of running a profitable blog or becoming an influencer, these are among the most competitive and difficult niches to enter. Depending on the industry you already work in, one option is to become a consultant, which gives you a lot of independence and may include travel as part of the package. You can create an online business that can be run from any location. If you have a particular set of skills and experience in a high-demand area like programming, you may be able to take your work on the road and attend to clients from any location.
Creating eBooks or online courses can be a good way to share your expertise in your particular area, and this can eventually become a source of passive income even when it isn’t your main focus. If you don’t want to spend your life in front of a computer, there are many options as well. Real estate investment is another great source of passive income that can give you the freedom to travel. Do you love to sail? You could set up tours or a sailing school. Brainstorming the many possibilities alongside your skill set and experience can throw up opportunities that allow you to pursue professional accomplishments alongside the freedom of travel.