Q. I'm in the process of redesigning my lifestyle and I'm becoming a location-independent entrepreneur. What are some of the common pitfalls location-independent professional face and how can I avoid them?
- Gregory, New York City
The following answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council. Founded by Scott Gerber, the Y.E.C. is a nonprofit organization that provides young entrepreneurs with access to tools, mentorship, community, and educational resources that support each stage of their business's development and growth. The organization promotes entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment and underemployment.
Keep money in mind.
"The first thing I always tell people when they ask me how I run businesses while traveling full time is that you need to know where your money is coming from. If you don't have a plan as to how you'll keep earning, even from the road, your independence will disappear very quickly. Have a backup plan, too, for when your main money-maker isn't doing so well, otherwise you may find yourself stranded."
- Colin Wright (@ColinIsMyName), founder of Ebookling
Don't isolate yourself.
"When freelancing from home, it can be easy to slide into a reclusive lifestyle. But this can leave you feeling disconnected and depressed. It's even easier to do this when you're not tied to a particular location. When gallivanting about, try to find local co-working spaces. Then avail yourself of these resources as a means of meeting new entrepreneurs, and experiencing good old human contact."
- Steph Auteri (@StephAuteri), founder of Career Coaching for Word Nerds
Define what location independence means to you.
"Don't fall into the trap of using someone else's definition of what it means to be location independent and build your lifestyle around that. Some of us travel permanently, others have a home base and travel less and some don't travel at all and work from a coffee shop down the road. Define what this lifestyle means to you and build your business and your life around something works for you."
- Lea Woodward (@LeaWoodward), founder of Kinetiva
Don't fall into the workaholic trap.
"Just because you're location-"independent" doesn't mean you won't be at your computer all day long. You must make time to break away, maintain a regular work schedule (i do 8-6) but then take time off the clock to enjoy the lifestyle you're ultimately trying to create in the first place! "
- Ishita Gupta (@IshitaGupta), founder of Fearless Stories
Realize that travel is both a blessing and a curse.
"I'm rarely in one city for more than a month at a time. I find the greatest challenge is balancing work and play. Obviously travel is meant to be enjoyable, but it can also become a business distraction. I suggest creating a schedule for each day/week and trying to adhere to it as best you can. This increases focus while working and decreases guilt when playing. Work hard, play hard. "
- Kent Healy (@Kent_Healy), founder of The Uncommon Life
Beware of friends who always want to play.
"I'm rarely in one city for more than a month at a time. I find the greatest challenge is balancing work and play. Obviously travel is meant to be enjoyable, but it can also become a business distraction. I suggest creating a schedule for each day/week and trying to adhere to it as best you can. This increases focus while working and decreases guilt when playing. Work hard, play hard. "
- Vanessa Van Petten (@vvanpetten), founder of Science of People
Have a S.Y.S.T.E.M.
"Save yourself time energy and money. You need to create systems for everything. Look at all of your processes and job functions and make sure that you are utilizing technology and other people to handle everything. Also have a system to manage all of these systems and of course have everything online so it can be managed from anywhere. Once you have your systems in place you are virtual."
- Louis Lautman (@LouisLautman), founder of Young Entrepreneur Society
Keep your home-state residency in order.
"It may seem like something minor now, but keeping your residency in wherever you'd like to consider your home state can be important. Depending on how much time you want to spend traveling, you can impact everything from your tax bill to how easily you can get a credit card or other credit."
- Thursday Bram (@ThursdayB), founder of Hyper Modern Consulting
Don't lose sight of safety issues.
"Do plenty of research before making moves. Understand the implications of doing business in other countries, and be sure you're moving to places that are safe and conducive to doing business."
- Lisa Nicole Bell (@LisaNicoleBell), founder of Inspired Life Media Group
Stay grounded, and appreciate your freedom!
"Having achieved location independence many years ago I find the #1 problem was being addicted to the excessive freedom. Liberty is great and it's what everyone strives for but there are no guides on how to deal with such success so you must try to remain grounded. Appreciate your position at all times, don't abuse it or else it can overtake your reason."
- Timothy Sykes (@TimothySykes), founder of TimothySykes.com
Be schedule-independent, too.
"Try to avoid a routine. If you are location independent, you should also be schedule independent. Try to put in a solid 8 hour workday, but make sure you schedule it around your lifestyle. If you are tied to a tightly defined schedule, there isn't much point to being location independent."
- Brad Kendall (@BradJKendall), founder of Digihedron
Learn how to acclimatize quickly.
"The biggest factor fellow suitcase entrepreneurs underestimate is the downtime in getting set up in each new country you visit. Schedule in at least a week when you first arrive at your destination to get used to your surroundings and learn where local shops and businesses are that you'll need. If you are learning a new language don't forget how taxing that can be on you too. Go easy on yourself!"
- Natalie Sisson (@NatalieSisson), founder of The Suitcase Entrepreneur
Be sure you have mail, phone, and online access.
"As a location-independent entrepreneur for over five years, I've discovered the challenges of communication. Here are tips: 1) If you're moving frequently, set up a P.O. Box that a trusted individual can check and/or a registered agent address 2) Make your mobile or a skype number your phone contact 3) Be prepared for slow or spotty Internet speeds especially in rural areas."
- Elizabeth Saunders (@RealLifeE), founder of Real Life E
Equip your entrepreneurial utility belt.
"Today there are so many great tools out there that allow us to all become location-independent entrepreneurs. From Skype and Dropbox, to Basecamp and Evernote, but they key is to customize your own utility belt. Listen to what other entrepreneurs are using, but do what works for you. Stick with what works and your utility belt will keep you free."
- John Meyer (@JohnTMeyer), founder of 9 Clouds
Create social work time.
"One of the things that is often built into a 9-5 job is social office time. There are after work events, chatting with coworkers at lunch, and collaborative meetings. Once you're location independent that is no longer automatic. Avoid the 'working in a vacuum' feeling by attending more networking functions or group brainstorms and schedule working lunches with other local location independents "
- Caitlin McCabe (@CaitlinMC), founder of Real Bullets Branding
Build a solid foundation first.
"Before you take your business on the road, make sure you have a solid business in the first place. If your business isn't bringing enough money in right now (when you're still "location dependent"), it definitely ain't going to do that when you hit the road. Actions: 1: Stabilize your income stream(s), 2: Take your business processes online, 3: Test drive for 6 months and go."
- Juha Liikala (@JuhaLiikala), founder of webVehicle Oy
Be prepared for nothing to be the same.
"Moving around from place to place and running an office on the go will not be the same as having a steady location. Accessing the internet, printers, faxes and electricity can often be an issue. Forecast and plan for these difficulties."
- Lucas Sommer (@audimated), founder of Audimated
