Starting Your Online Venture…to Travel

I have taken a huge break from blogging. Not that anyone cares, but when you’re trying new ventures in life, everything will change. I have traveled and failed and traveled and failed and now I’ve decided to use this voice to be completely honest about everything. This is not a step by step guide on how to start your own business and make it successful, but this is to encourage you to try and continue. When you are starting a business or traveling for the first time, your journey may not look like the perfectly curated videos that you see on YouTube and TikTok. Those videos are curated for a reason and make people want to follow them, but you will rarely find the nitty gritty truth of it all. Some of those travelers had rejected visas. Some of those travelers were homeless for a while or broke or had their phone stolen (me). Every story isn’t perfectly wrapped and if you’re in the beginning stages of your venture and find that it may be harder than you initially thought, you’re not alone and it’s definitely still worth it.

Patience is a real thing in business

Your business venture may look a lot different from mine or anyone else’s. Currently, I am an online English Tutor and I make a pretty decent income to travel and live abroad. This didn’t come easy, mind you. After a plethora of remote job applications and a full month of fasting, I was finally able to secure a great gig that currently provides me with consistent income.

There are plenty of ways to make money online nowadays but it’s not always overnight as the YouTube thumbnails suggest. Most people will encourage you to quit your job and fully jump into your business because in 30 days you’ll be making a six-figure salary. This is not impossible, but it’s not always fast and it’s not always easy. Whatever business you decide to venture into, it’s going to need a crucial ingredient: patience.

I have had Orange Trails blog for approximately 3 years and it has been a great test of my patience. I have poured lots of time and money and effort into my blog all for it to blink back at me as if it’s trying to beg me to quit. I had to accept the fact that things can happen in a few months for some, and in a few years for others. It’s not to discourage me or try and get me to quit, but it’s unlocked a great tenacity I didn’t realize I possessed.

If you are ready to start your business, whether that be blogging, dropshipping, YouTube, Social Media Managing, etc, patience will help you take the time to curate your business and fall in love with what you do. When the money starts to pour in, it will have a life of a marathon and not a sprint.

Vulnerability is necessary to move abroad

Vulnerability is one of the most important things to look out for when starting a new venture. Take, Moving to a New Country for example. You have to learn how to trust those around you. Now this isn’t to say every friendly face is one worth trusting, but you can’t hide in a shell if you want to explore everything there is to offer. You must develop the courage to Ask, Seek, and Knock (Matthew 7:7-12).

Being vulnerable means allowing yourself to make mistakes. Ask yourself about the last time you tried something new. How did you respond to the feeling? Was it uncomfortable and why? You have to be mindful that vulnerability is not only part of travel but the human experience.

Discernment is one of the most important traits that a person can have as well because vulnerability creates opportunities while discernment provides safety. Mindfulness of actions, whereabouts, and surroundings can save your life. Discernment may have to be developed as well through awareness and prayer. God gives discernment to His people but only if you spend time with Him. I suggest that if you want to build vulnerability then it’s important to build that relationship with God as well, so He can guide you where to go and what to say yes and no to.

What they don’t tell you is all the paperwork really sucks

It depends on where you go, but that paperwork is going to be a pain in the neck. When appealing my visa and trying to get an appointment at the US Embassy, a lot of waiting was involved. If you move to a country that loves a good letter, like France, then you will be at the post office quite a bit. Beware of the holidays and the vacation culture as well because everything could stop for a month or two.

My only suggestion about paperwork is not only to do your research but to hire help if you can. I suggest looking at some lawyer consultations and joining groups of expats to direct you to the right place. There are a lot of scammers out there who may promise to help, but give you the runaround. A good expat group will really help you out and if you can, take a native friend with you to some appointments so you’re not lost or confused about the process.

If you are working on your online business, online taxes can also be a bit of a feat. If you are a freelancer or entrepreneur like myself then, you may want to get with a tax professional to handle where to pay your taxes properly.

Finding your own voice in a sea of voices can feel like you’re drowning yourself

I struggled greatly trying to find a brand niche and a personal style with blogging, traveling, and living. I really wanted to seem cool and mysterious to the rest of the world. Finding your voice online seems like it’s so scary. What if I say the wrong thing and get myself canceled? What if I talk too much about my personal life? What if I don’t sound as captivating as the other creators? There’s a huge pressure to have a striking voice in this sea of voices. The internet is overwhelming and so is life, but it’s all part of individuality and discovery.

Your online venture is not meant to be exactly like someone else’s. Think of it this way:

There are so many people who travel abroad for many reasons. You’re not the first or last person to do it. Some have traveled to escape terror and war from their home countries. Some travel to discover who they are and find that one place on Earth that feels like home. Some travel to learn about history and culture and discover life’s mysteries in every new tongue.

Your reason for starting your online venture doesn’t have to be pretty or perfect. This is something that I’ve learned along the way. Not every Visa will have an easy process. Sometimes official documentation will have its victory, but you’re not a failure for trying. You dared to try and you must dare to keep going. Your voice is needed. Someone is looking for inspiration from you and wishing they had the representation only you can provide.

It’s also a lot easier to find your voice in a new country if you are able to practice the language. If you don’t know where to start, you can get 30% off your first language course with Preply! Try your first class and fall in love with a great tutor.

Look for inspiration but don’t copy inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms and it’s up to you what that form will become. Don’t feel pressured to exact your experience with a popular influencer. I discovered this when I first began teaching English online. I created my profile and took the necessary certifications, then I decided to try to find my teaching style based on what I’ve experienced in the past and what I’ve seen to work for me. There are plenty of videos on the internet that will give their opinions about certain websites, but had I listened to all the reviews and suggestions word for word, I wouldn’t have the freelancing opportunity I have today.

Don’t get me wrong, I strongly encourage my friends and family to create vision boards and watch inspirational videos but what happens when that inspiration becomes crippling? What happens when the inspiration becomes more of a strict instruction manual rather than gentle suggestions?

Inspiration is there to inspire. Not to push or pull or taunt. It’s to help you with self-discovery and creation. You can be heavily inspired to travel and personalize your experience in a way that is niche to you and your personality. The same goes for your online business venture. You can do something that makes you happy or feel alive because you saw someone else do it. Don’t feel the need to copy someone else’s success and beat yourself up if it doesn’t work exactly for you. Be inspired. Be courageous, but don’t be a replica.

Take Away Trail

If you are thinking about starting a business online or taking your business to the next level while you take the leap to travel abroad then you have to know these tips. Plenty of videos are out there suggesting that it’s all so simple to give up everything you know to explore the world. It can all seem so simple, but it doesn’t mean it is. There is questioning involved and isolation. Everyone isn’t going to understand why you’re leaving the comfort of your 9-5 job or the childhood home you’ve had your entire life. It’s okay that they may not understand, but you have to understand that what you’re up against isn’t always so shiny. This journey builds grit and tenacity. It’s not always pretty or aesthetically pleasing. Your failures may not fit the algorithm and your patience may seem like it’s a white flag to bow out. Trust me, after all the trials and lessons, the other side is worth it.

Join the Trail

Everything starts with YOU. Begin the journey to creating your trail.

Sign up with your email address to receive updates

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY TERMS OF USE POLICY FOR MORE INFO