The Nomad Solopreneur: How to Build Freedom and Income on Your Terms and Remote Work Masterclass w/ Michelle Coulson
The rise of remote work has sparked a new lifestyle revolution: the nomad solopreneur. This isn’t just freelancing while traveling—it’s a strategic, location-independent business model where you own your income, time, and freedom. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to scale, this guide will help you build your nomadic business step by step.
What Is a Nomad Solopreneur?
A nomad solopreneur is someone who runs a business independently while traveling or living abroad. Unlike digital nomads who may rely on remote jobs or gig work, solopreneurs create and manage their own income streams—often by offering services, selling digital products, or building personal brands.
This model gives you full control over your business and schedule, without being tied to a fixed location or traditional 9–5 job.
Nomad Solopreneur vs. Nomad Entrepreneur
While both terms overlap, there’s a key distinction:
Nomad solopreneurs run one-person operations—often lean and agile, focused on income over scale.
Nomad entrepreneurs may build remote teams, develop tech startups, or create scalable ventures.
Both live location-independent lifestyles, but solopreneurs prioritize simplicity, autonomy, and low overhead. Entrepreneurs may be more growth-driven or investor-focused.
What Kind of Businesses Can a Nomad Solopreneur Run?
Here are the most popular and realistic business models for nomadic solopreneurs in 2025:
1. Freelance Services
Offer skills like writing, design, marketing, or development on platforms like Upwork or directly to clients.
2. Coaching or Consulting
Package your expertise into one-on-one services. Niche examples include:
Remote career coaching
Wellness coaching
Business consulting for creatives
3. Digital Products
Sell ebooks, online courses, templates, or Notion systems via Gumroad, Podia, or Shopify.
4. Content Creation
Monetize a blog, YouTube channel, or newsletter. Combine affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and digital products for multiple income streams.
5. One-Person SaaS or Tools
Build and sell simple tools like productivity apps, niche software, or browser extensions. Many solopreneurs use no-code tools like Bubble or Glide to launch.
How to Get Started as a Nomad Solopreneur
Step 1: Choose Your Niche & Business Model
What are you good at? What do people need? Align your skills with a problem you can solve and pick a model that fits.
Step 2: Validate Before You Travel
Test your offer, book your first clients, or launch a minimum viable product (MVP) while you’re still in a stable location.
Step 3: Set Up the Essentials
Business Tools: Use Notion, Stripe, Calendly, and Loom
Online Presence: Create a one-page website with your offer and testimonials
Banking & Payments: Use Wise, Payoneer, or Mercury for international payments
Step 4: Pick Your First Base
Start in affordable, nomad-friendly cities like:
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Medellín, Colombia
Lisbon, Portugal
Tbilisi, Georgia
Look for good Wi-Fi, coworking spaces, and digital nomad communities.
Daily Life as a Nomad Solopreneur
Your Schedule Is Yours
Most solopreneurs design 4–6 hour workdays, balancing deep work with travel and exploration.
Workspace Flexibility
You’ll work from:
Coworking spaces
Airbnbs
Cafés with reliable Wi-Fi
Beach hammocks (not recommended for Zoom calls!)
Community
Find your tribe on:
Nomad List
Remote Rebellion Slack group
Local meetups or co-living spaces
Challenges of the Nomad Solopreneur Life (And How to Overcome Them)
Isolation: Join online communities and local groups
Time Zones: Work async whenever possible; use scheduling tools
Burnout: Set boundaries and maintain a routine—even when traveling
Tools Every Nomad Solopreneur Needs
Notion – for planning, content, and project management
Trello or ClickUp – for task management
Figma or Canva – for design work
Zoom + Loom – for client communication
PayPal, Stripe, Wise – to get paid globally
A VPN – to protect your connection in public places
Nomad Solopreneur Success Stories
Justin Welsh – Built a million-dollar solopreneur business through LinkedIn and digital products
Dan Koe – Creator and writer running a solo empire from anywhere
Steph Smith – Writer, developer, and entrepreneur with multiple solo revenue streams
In this episode, Michelle speaks with Gabe Marusca, on The Nomad Solopreneur show, sharing her journey from working as a recruiter in London to fully embracing remote work.
Benefits and Challenges
The nomad solopreneur lifestyle offers numerous benefits, including unparalleled freedom and flexibility. You can choose when and where you work, and structure your days to suit your preferences. The constant change of scenery can also be inspiring, fostering creativity and fresh perspectives. However, this lifestyle also presents challenges.
The lack of a stable work environment and the potential for unreliable internet connections can make it difficult to maintain productivity. Additionally, the constant travel can be physically and mentally draining, and it can be challenging to build and maintain strong professional relationships.
In This Episode of the Nomad Solopreneur Podcas with Michelle Coulson
In this episode of The Nomad Solopreneur Show, Michelle shares her inspiring journey from working as a recruiter in London to embracing a fully remote work lifestyle. She discusses the key factors that led her to this decision, including the desire for greater flexibility and the realization that remote work could offer a better work-life balance.
Michelle emphasizes the importance of finding the right job fit when transitioning to remote work. She highlights the need to identify roles that align with your skills, interests, and lifestyle. She also shares practical tips on how to effectively search for remote opportunities, such as utilizing online job boards, networking with other remote workers, and leveraging social media platforms.
Overcoming the Challenges of Remote Work
Michelle also addresses the challenges that often accompany remote work, such as feelings of isolation and difficulty maintaining focus. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong support network, both professional and personal, to combat these challenges. She suggests joining online communities, attending virtual conferences, and participating in remote coworking spaces to connect with other remote workers.
Michelle also shares practical tips for staying productive and motivated while working remotely. She recommends creating a dedicated workspace, establishing a consistent routine, and setting clear boundaries between work and personal time. She also emphasizes the importance of taking regular breaks, staying active, and practicing self-care to maintain overall well-being.
In conclusion, the nomad solopreneur lifestyle offers a unique blend of freedom, flexibility, and challenge. By carefully considering the benefits and drawbacks, and taking proactive steps to address potential challenges, individuals can successfully embrace this lifestyle and build fulfilling and sustainable careers.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a nomad solopreneur is about more than working remotely—it’s about designing your life. You don’t need a big team or venture capital to create freedom. You just need a clear offer, consistency, and a Wi-Fi connection.
Whether you’re freelancing, consulting, or selling digital products, the path is open—and now is the time to start.
FAQ
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A digital nomad entrepreneur is someone who runs a location-independent business while traveling. They use technology to manage operations remotely, often in fields like e-commerce, freelancing, coaching, or content creation.
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A traveling entrepreneur is often called a digital nomad or nomad entrepreneur. These individuals build and run businesses while moving between countries, working remotely from various locations.
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In business, “nomadic” refers to working without a fixed location. A nomadic business owner can operate from anywhere, using digital tools to manage clients, projects, or products remotely.
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Not all digital nomads are wealthy. Some earn six figures or more, but many live modestly while working remotely. Their lifestyle prioritizes freedom and flexibility over traditional financial wealth.