15 Tips On How To Run A Business Out Of Your Suitcase
Right now, I’m typing this post in a coffee shop. I needed wifi to post this, so I paid for an overpriced coffee at 5 in the evening (when I do not need to be drinking coffee) to get just an hour of wifi.
Earlier today, I drove an extra 10 miles out of my way to seek out a Trader Joe’s so I could FINALLY get a fair priced salad. Let me tell you, I am SO TIRED of eating out. But, that’s just part of the life. You have no kitchen. You have no fridge. You have nowhere to cook. Eating out is the only way to get food. Shout out to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. I’d be fat and unhappy without you.
I wear the same 5 outfits every week. There’s 7 days in a week. You do the math.
Last week, I paid $40 for an Uber at 3 in the morning because I didn’t want to sleep in the airport. I then proceeded to send a picture of the license plate to everyone I knew incase I got kidnapped.
Last month in Switzerland, my friend and I ended up at the sketchiest hostel I’ve ever laid eyes on. It was 2 in the morning. In the middle of nowhere. All dark. No one there. We did not sleep there.
As you can see by the mere and uneventful events of the past month, living out of your suitcase has its downs. But it has WAY more ups.
Living this way for the past 6 months has taught me more than 4 years and a bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia.
I’ve learned how to navigate the world and it’s people.
I’ve made unforgettable friendships and memories.
I’ve smiled and laughed more in the past 6 months than the past 6 years of my life.
I’ve learned how to live simply. My entire life is in a 18” x 24” bag. I don’t have a care in the world for material things. I never shop. I've learned how to sleep comfortably on a couch. I’ve lived off dry shampoo and deodorant for a little longer than I probably should. I eat street food constantly.
I wouldn't change any of that for the all of the amazing moments I’ve had.
Moments like waking up at 5 in the morning to see 5 countries in 24 hours.
Moments like driving through the countryside of Ireland with the windows rolled down blasting Irish music.
Moments like getting lost in Paris to escape the forever annoying tourists.
Moments like dancing on the beach in Hawaii at 6 am after not sleeping for two days.
Moments like hiking to the top of a castle in Germany during a beautiful sunset.
Moments like making friends in Switzerland and having them road trip with you through the Swiss alps.
I’ll forever cherish these past 6 months. And I cannot wait for 6 more.
15 tips on how to run a business out of your suitcase:
1) Make friends. Do not be afraid to put yourself out there and talk to everyone! Most likely, they will offer you a meal, a ride, or a bed for the evening.
2) Don’t be naive. Even though I encourage you to make friends, DO NOT walk up to every living soul and tell them you are a woman traveling alone that needs a place to stay. Common sense people, come on.
3) Your computer is everything. Take it to every single destination and turn on Find My Mac.
4) Do not hesitate to buy an overpriced coffee at 5 in the evening if you need wifi. You are running a business (or a life) and internet is the world’s gift to you.
5) Stay on top of your business. If you need to take a day off from exploring to fill orders or design a new tee, DO IT. Remember you are traveling not only to see the world, but to help your business grow!
6) Get international phone service or travel with a friend that has it. I cannot begin to tell you how many times having access to technology has saved me from getting lost or sleeping in my car.
7) Pack for EVERY type of weather. Did you know that San Francisco in July can have a low of 40 degrees and a high of 75 degrees in the same day? Yea, me either.
8) Carry an infinite amount of underwear. Laundry is scarce.
9) Buy a nice camera. How else are you supposed to remember every single place you’ve been?! You’ll cherish these photos forever.
10) Book flights on Tuesday evenings. That’s when they are the cheapest.
11) Street food is a food group.
12) Do not loose contact with your family and friends from home. Every now and then you’ll want to come home. Those are the best couple of days you will ever have after being gone for months.
13) There is no such thing as Uber in most foreign countries or Alaska.
14) Do not stay in the sketchy hostel. Sleep in your car if you must!
15) Most important. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy. Exercise. Your health is everything when you are on an adventure around the world.
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