Want to Work from Anywhere? Here’s Why Starting an Online Business Might Be For You
*Guest post from Niluka Kavanagh 🌍 from ImagineThat *Many people dream of working from anywhere, and the most obvious option is to find a remote job. But what if you want more control over your time and income? What if you don’t want to be tied to an employer's projects and core hours?
Many years ago, I sat in my London flat and asked myself “Can I work for myself and work from anywhere?” I was working in a big corporate firm at the time and while OK on the outside - I wanted more. I wanted to be able to pursue the type of work I wanted and also have the freedom to do it from where I wanted.
2 businesses and 14 countries later, I can confirm that the answer to my question is yes - you can work for yourself and work from anywhere. Now, I help others do the same through my nomadic business school, ImagineThat.
Why Remote Jobs Aren’t for Everyone
Both remote jobs and online business can give you location freedom.
While remote jobs do provide flexibility and income security and stability, they often come with certain structures and expectations. Running your own business, on the other hand, puts you fully in charge - allowing you to decide where, when, and how you work. If you’re someone who thrives on independence and wants to build something of your own (like I did when I was in corporate!) then entrepreneurship might be the better choice. It’s all about finding what works best for you - neither is “right” or “wrong”.
Flexibility looks different for everyone. While remote jobs free you from a physical office, they still come with structure - like company policies, deadlines, and meeting schedules. But if your priority is complete autonomy, running your own business gives you that extra level of freedom. Think about it: how many times have you wanted to get something approved and had to go through X number of permissions to get it signed off? Or had to ask permission to take annual leave, hoping it’ll get approved? As a business owner, you set the rules and decide how your workday looks.
Finally, there’s earning potential. While a remote job provides stability and a predictable income, there are often limitations such as a salary cap or predefined pay structure. On the other hand, when you run your own business, your income is tied to the value you provide and the clients you serve. While in the early stages this can take time to build, in the long run, the benefits can be vast. I know people who have been able to double or triple their former income 5 years into their own business.
How to Know If Starting a Business Is Right for You
It's important to note that not everyone is suited to entrepreneurship. Here are some signs that starting an online business could be a good fit for you:
1. You Want to Set Your Own Schedule
If you prefer working when and where you want, without asking for permission, business ownership allows that freedom.
2. You’re Self-Motivated
No boss means no one checking in on your work. If you can hold yourself accountable, and motivate yourself on the good and bad days - then you have a great foundation for running your own business.
3. You Want to See Direct Impact
In a job, you contribute to someone else’s goals. In your own business, your effort directly affects your success. You see the direct results of your own hard work. For me, this was a huge driver. I love seeing the direct impact and results of my work.
4. You Care About What You Do
If you’re running your own business, you must enjoy what you do, at least most of the time. Don’t start a business for the sake of it! Make sure you choose something that you enjoy and care about.
5. You Want Unlimited Earning Potential (But are OK with some early sacrifice)
Instead of a fixed salary, you control how much you earn. The more value you provide, the more you can charge. That said, it’s important to be OK with some early sacrifice in the early stages when you’re just getting started. It’s like short-term pain for long-term gain.
Why Online Services Is a Great Place to Start
When considering an online business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the options. Online business is an umbrella term, under which there is e-commerce, dropshipping, affiliate marketing, content creation and more. Many of these should be taken with a pinch of salt. There are lots of get-rich-schemes in the online business space and too-good-to-be true claims (it’s one reason I decided to start my business school as a more realistic route for everyday professionals).
One of the best areas is to start an online service, as an online coach, consultant or service provider. This is exactly what I did with HelpMePresent, my first online business coaching people in public speaking. This approach allows you to use your existing skills rather than investing time and money into creating a product from scratch. You don't need to have a background in entrepreneurship or even an MBA – you can take what you’re already good at.
Another major advantage of service-based businesses is the low startup cost. Unlike physical product businesses that require inventory, warehousing, and logistic costs, or tech solutions that require developer and server costs, offering a service typically requires little more than a laptop and an internet connection. This makes it a fast and cost-effective way to generate income while working from anywhere. Why? Because your knowledge and experience is what you sell!
Online services also offer strong long-term potential. Many people mistakenly think that it is difficult to scale. But many service providers eventually productise their expertise later down the line, turning their skills into scalable digital products such as courses, templates, or memberships. This allows them to scale and move away from trading time for money.
Key Areas to Focus on When Starting Your Business
Building a business isn’t just about having a skill, it’s about positioning yourself effectively in the market. Here are my three recommendations for what to look out for.
The first thing to consider is your unique value proposition. Ask yourself: Why would someone choose to work with you instead of another freelancer or consultant? Your unique background, approach, or niche expertise could be what sets you apart.
Next, you need to define your ideal customer. Many first-time entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to serve everyone, but success comes from being specific. Who is your target audience? What problem do they need solved? Understanding this will make it easier to market your services effectively.
Finally, clarity on your offer is essential. You need to be able to articulate exactly what you do and what results your clients can expect. A well-defined offer helps clients understand the value of working with you and what they will get from it. The clearer your offer, the easier it will be to attract and convert clients.
How to Get Started
If you’re serious about building an online services business that gives you true location freedom, here’s how to start:
Choose Your Service
Consider your strengths and what you genuinely enjoy doing. You could offer online coaching or consulting, either directly to individuals (B2C – such as career coaching) or to businesses (B2B – such as operations consulting).
Identify The Problem You Are Solving
The core of all entrepreneurship is solving a problem. Your service should be the solution to a specific challenge. Ensure you clearly identify and validate the problem before moving forward.
Speak To Possible Customers
Start by tapping into your network, joining relevant communities, and having conversations with your ideal customers to understand their needs.
Join The ImagineThat Academy
If you want expert guidance, the ImagineThat Academy moves you from idea to launch.
You’ll get step-by-step training, templates, and coaching so you can win your first client in 90 days or less.
👉 Apply to the next Academy cohort here and get 20% off the entire programme if you apply through Remote Rebellion
(please specify on your application form)
To conclude, remote jobs work for some people, but it's important to explore all options to work from anywhere. Get clear on your career values and what you want the most. If you are naturally entrepreneurial like me, then this may be the better option.
Starting an online business can give you more control, flexibility, and unlimited earning potential. Remember you don’t have to start from scratch. With the right guidance, you can turn your existing skills into a profitable online business in no time.
FAQs
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The best way to find a remote job fast is to take a strategic and targeted approach. Instead of spending hours applying to hundreds of jobs with little success, focus on:
Applying to real remote-first companies
Leveraging networking and referrals - many remote jobs are filled before they’re even posted
Optimizing your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight remote-specific skills
At Remote Job Academy, we help professionals cut through the noise and land remote jobs faster with expert guidance and a proven framework. If you want to fast-track your job search and stop wasting time on ineffective applications, check out the Remote Job Academy.
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Some remote jobs are easier to land than others, especially for those transitioning from in-office roles. The easiest remote jobs to get hired for often include:
Customer Support & Virtual Assistance
Content Writing & Social Media Management
Data Entry & Administrative Roles
Sales & Business Development
Tech & IT Support
While these roles are in demand, competition is high - so standing out is key. The Remote Job Academy provides tailored jobs and expert strategies to help you get noticed and hired faster.
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Finding a remote job can feel overwhelming because:
High competition – Thousands of professionals are applying for the same roles
Scams & fake job listings – Many jobs labeled “remote” are not actually fully remote
Unoptimized applications – Generic CVs and cover letters won’t get noticed
Hidden job market – Many remote jobs aren’t publicly posted
The good news? There’s a faster and smarter way to land a remote role. With the Remote Job Academy, we teach you how to find a remote job fast by focusing on high-quality job opportunities, networking, and strategic applications. Instead of wasting months applying without results, join a proven program that helps professionals get hired quickly.
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Some remote jobs are consistently in high demand, especially as companies continue to embrace remote work. The top remote job categories for 2025 include:
Tech & IT (Software Development, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing)
Marketing & Growth (SEO, Content Marketing, Social Media Management)
Project Management (Remote Team Coordination, Agile Methodologies)
Sales & Business Development (B2B Sales, Client Acquisition)
Customer Success & Support (Account Management, Onboarding Specialists)
While these roles are in demand, competition is fierce. Getting a remote job fast requires a strategy.
By the way, if you’re a remote-first company hiring this year, check this out!
Remote Rebellion is bringing together remote first companies and those looking for remote first roles this May! If you want in, click the banner below, scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in the 3-sec form!
