Remote Entrepreneurship: Building a Business from Anywhere
Are you ready to redefine success on your own terms and explore the exciting world of remote entrepreneurship?
In the latest episode of the Redefine Success, Unscripted Stories podcast, host Martijn Smeets delves deep into the inspiring journey of Michelle, founder of Remote Rebellion.
From the conventional path of a recruiter in the UK to becoming a thriving remote entrepreneur living in Bali, Michelle’s story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose.
Highlights from Michelle’s Podcast First
Host Martijn Smeets brings forward stories that challenge traditional notions of success, spotlighting entrepreneurs and digital nomads who dared to dream differently.
Michelle shares her journey from being a traditional recruiter to becoming a remote entrepreneur. Hear how she transformed her life by shifting from societal norms to her own definition of success.
Learn about Michelle's upbringing in the UK, her early views on achievement, and how the pandemic became a turning point that inspired her to pivot towards remote entrepreneurship.
Frustrated by the struggles of finding meaningful remote work, Michelle turned her challenges into solutions. She founded Remote Rebellion to help others land their dream remote jobs and embrace a life of freedom and flexibility.
Michelle breaks down her process of aligning personal goals with core values, highlighting the importance of defining happiness independently of societal expectations.
Discover how building a supportive network can validate your skills, boost confidence, and make navigating entrepreneurship smoother.
Feeling stuck? Michelle offers actionable steps to escape financial worries, evaluate your true desires, and start your journey toward a more fulfilling life.
Get a sneak peek at Michelle's exciting upcoming projects, including a remote job fair and the launch of Remote Work Mavericks.
This podcast is a must-listen for aspiring remote entrepreneurs, digital nomads, or anyone seeking to escape the constraints of traditional work and embrace freedom and fulfillment. Michelle’s story is packed with practical insights, tools, and motivational moments that will leave you inspired to take action.
Let Michelle’s journey remind you that remote entrepreneurship is not just a dream - it’s an attainable reality.
Now About Building Business from Anywhere
More than 16% of companies worldwide are now fully remote. The global workforce is shifting, and entrepreneurship is no exception. Gone are the days when starting a business meant leasing an office, hiring an in-person team, and working nine to five. Today, you can build a business from a beach in Bali, a café in Amsterdam, or your kitchen table—if you know how to do it right.
But let’s be honest. The idea of remote entrepreneurship sounds amazing, but making it work? That’s a different story. Productivity can plummet without structure. Loneliness creeps in. Finding clients or customers without a local network? Not easy.
So, how do you build a profitable, sustainable remote business? How do you overcome the challenges? And more importantly, is it actually worth it?
This guide will break down everything you need to know—real strategies, real challenges, and real solutions. Whether you’re a freelancer, consultant, or building the next big remote startup, this is your roadmap to success.
What Is Remote Entrepreneurship?
Remote entrepreneurship is the process of starting and running a business that operates 100% online. Unlike traditional businesses that rely on physical locations, remote entrepreneurs use digital tools to manage operations, communicate with clients, and scale their ventures.
Some common types of remote businesses include:
• Freelancing – Writing, design, programming, consulting.
• E-commerce – Selling physical or digital products online.
• Online Services – Coaching, virtual assistance, marketing.
• SaaS & Tech Startups – Software-based businesses with remote teams.
The key difference? You don’t need an office—just a laptop, internet connection, and the right strategy.
Why More Entrepreneurs Are Going Remote
The appeal of remote entrepreneurship is obvious:
✅ Flexibility – Work from anywhere, set your own schedule.
✅ Lower Costs – No office rent, no commute, fewer expenses.
✅ Global Talent Pool – Hire and collaborate with people worldwide.
✅ Scalability – Operate and grow without physical constraints.
But it’s not all upside. Discipline, structure, and strategy are required to succeed. That’s why many fail—treating remote work as a vacation instead of a business model.
How to Start a Remote Business: 5 Key Steps
1. Choose the Right Business Model
Your business should align with your skills, interests, and market demand. Some great remote-friendly options:
• Freelancing (Upwork, Fiverr, LinkedIn)
• E-commerce (Shopify, Etsy, Amazon FBA)
• Digital Products (Online courses, e-books, memberships)
• Consulting or Coaching (Business, fitness, career, etc.)
• SaaS & Software Development (If you have tech skills)
Start small. Test the market. Don’t quit your job without validating demand.
2. Build an Online Presence
A remote business doesn’t exist if no one knows about it. Establish credibility through:
• A Website or Portfolio – Showcasing your expertise.
• Social Media – LinkedIn, Twitter, or niche platforms for visibility.
• Content Marketing – Blogging, YouTube, or a podcast to attract an audience.
People trust businesses they can see—even if they’re virtual.
3. Find Clients or Customers Remotely
Without a physical storefront, you need to actively attract and convert clients. Some key tactics:
• Networking – Join online communities, Slack groups, and LinkedIn discussions.
• Cold Outreach – Personalized emails to potential clients.
• Freelance Marketplaces – Use platforms like Upwork or Toptal.
• Inbound Marketing – Write blogs, record videos, or post valuable insights.
Remote business growth isn’t passive. You have to put yourself out there.
4. Set Up Remote Operations & Productivity Systems
Without structure, remote work becomes chaos. Key tools for success:
• Project Management – Trello, Asana, Notion.
• Communication – Slack, Zoom, Google Meet.
• Finance & Payments – PayPal, Wise, Stripe.
• Automation – Zapier, Calendly, AI-powered tools.
Define your work hours, goals, and routines early—freedom doesn’t mean no structure.
5. Scale & Automate for Long-Term Success
Once your remote business is running smoothly, look for ways to scale:
• Hire a Virtual Assistant – Outsource repetitive tasks.
• Create Passive Income Streams – Digital products, memberships, or courses.
• Expand Your Offerings – Grow from freelancing to an agency or SaaS.
Scaling isn’t about working more—it’s about working smarter.
3 Challenges of Remote Entrepreneurship & How to Overcome Them
1. Isolation & Loneliness
Without an office, it’s easy to feel disconnected. Fix this by:
• Working from coworking spaces or cafés.
• Joining digital entrepreneur groups or Slack communities.
• Scheduling non-work social activities to avoid burnout.
2. Managing Distractions & Productivity
Working from home (or a beach) can be distracting. Stay focused by:
• Using time-blocking (dedicated work hours).
• Setting up a real workspace (not just your bed).
• Using Pomodoro technique (25-minute work sprints).
3. Finding Consistent Clients or Income
The biggest struggle for remote entrepreneurs? Cash flow. Combat this by:
• Offering retainer-based services for stable income.
• Diversifying revenue streams (freelance + passive income).
• Building an email list to nurture long-term leads.
No clients = no business. Always be marketing.
Best Remote Businesses to Start in 2025
If you’re ready to start, here are some of the most profitable remote business ideas:
1. Freelance Writing & Content Creation – High demand, low startup costs.
2. Digital Marketing Services – SEO, social media, ads.
3. E-Commerce (Dropshipping, Print-on-Demand) – Sell products without inventory.
4. Online Coaching or Consulting – Business, health, career coaching.
5. SaaS or App Development – If you have tech skills, software is scalable.
Pick a business that fits your skills and lifestyle goals—not just what’s trending.
Conclusion
Remote entrepreneurship isn’t a shortcut to easy money. It requires real work, discipline, and strategy. But the upside? Freedom, flexibility, and ownership of your time.
If you’re serious about becoming a remote entrepreneur, start today:
1. Choose a business model that fits your strengths.
2. Build an online presence so people can find you.
3. Find clients or customers—don’t wait for them to come to you.
4. Set up systems to keep things organized.
5. Scale and automate for long-term success.
Michelle did it. Thousands of others are doing it. Why not you?
If you’re ready to take the leap, read other pieces for further tips on building a successful remote business. Your future self will thank you.
FAQ
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Remote entrepreneurship is the process of building and running a business entirely online, allowing entrepreneurs to work from anywhere in the world without being tied to a physical location.
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The four main types of entrepreneurship are:
• Small Business Entrepreneurship – Local businesses like freelance services or small e-commerce stores.
• Scalable Startup Entrepreneurship – Tech startups aiming for rapid growth.
• Large Company Entrepreneurship – Innovation within existing corporations.
• Social Entrepreneurship – Businesses that solve social or environmental issues while making a profit.
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The best remote business depends on your skills, but some top options include:
• Freelancing (writing, design, programming)
• Consulting or coaching
• E-commerce (dropshipping, print-on-demand)
• Affiliate marketing
• Online courses or digital products
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Examples include:
• Running an online store (Shopify, Etsy)
• Creating and selling digital courses
• Building a blog or YouTube channel that generates revenue
• Developing SaaS (Software as a Service) products
• Offering virtual assistance or remote business services
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• Identify your skills – Choose a business model that aligns with your expertise.
• Build an online presence – Create a website, LinkedIn, or social media presence.
• Find clients or customers – Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn to connect with potential clients.
• Leverage digital tools – Use project management, communication, and automation tools to run your business efficiently.
• Stay consistent – Test, learn, and adapt as you grow your remote business.