Rebelling Against Return To Office & Coworking in Chiang Mai
Last month I spent some time in Chiang Mai, Thailand and was interviewed for the Yellow Coworking’s newsletter.
If you have the chance to work from Chiang Mai, I can’t recommend Yellow Coworking Space enough! The sense of community there is unmatched - I made some incredible connections during my time there, and it’s an inspiring environment to get work done.
Check out what I have to say (FYI - I always have A LOT to say 😜) about remote work below!
Q: You passed through Chiang Mai recently. What does the nomad life look like for you?
Michelle: I don’t like the term digital nomad. Location Independent is how I’d describe myself, but it isn’t quite as catchy, is it!?! Someone needs to come up with a new term. I’ve spent much of the last three years based in Bali, but the last year has seen me bounce around a lot of countries. The plan next year is to set up two European bases with a month or two travelling, and a month back home with family.
Q: And now you’re helping others at least work remotely, if not full-on digital nomads?
Michelle: In a nutshell, for the last 3 and a half years my business - Remote Rebellion - has been helping freelancers and workers looking for a fully remote j-o-b. The word “rebellion” felt appropriate as, when I started the company in 2021, “return to office” was beginning. It felt like a rebellion was needed against the dinosaur companies forcing people to work somewhere that doesn't work for them, despite seeing the benefits of remote work.
Q: So, you’re helping people find work to sustain a nomad lifestyle.
Michelle: Yes - or stay at home and never leave! We work to clarify exactly what they want and create a strategy to reach that goal - it’s a holistic process that is more than just a resume review. It’s important to lay the foundations before jumping into applications. We’ll work on personal branding, standing out in a crowded market, networking strategy, marketing themselves, and negotiating. The programme mixes teaching, mentorship, coaching, training and introductions to my network. Most people I work with are senior professionals who are amazing at what they do, but rubbish at selling themselves!
Q: So, what’s happening in 2025?
Michelle: Lots! We're launching our very first remote job fair, both online in April and in person in August. As well as the “do it with you" programme, we're introducing a “do it for you” approach, for business professionals who want a new remote job but don't have the time to search and apply. We're also working on a platform to connect remote workers with the top 500 remote-first companies… like a remote-only LinkedIn, but without all the BS & noise!
Q: Who’s going to benefit most from getting in touch with you?
Michelle: Firstly, individuals who want to get remote work and make the process to reach that goal easier and faster than doing it on their own. I can’t hand a remote job to someone on a silver platter, so this is for those who understand the value of investing in themselves and are willing to put in the work to reach their goal.
Also, remote first companies who want to find the right people for their business. I have a background as a recruiter and built a lot of connections in the remote world, so I work with founders to ensure they attract and retain the best talent.
That’s a wrap for my interview.
Let me ask you now, is 2025 finally the year for you to transit out of your 9-5 office job and into remote work?
Stay rebellious,
Michelle
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