How We Keep Our Business Thriving While Traveling the World
Apr 11, 2024
Ever wonder how entrepreneurs manage to travel while running a business? My family and I just got back from a two week trip to Europe. Traveling often is very important to my family and has become a non-negotiable. But how do you keep your business running while you are gone? Since both are important, in today's blog post I am sharing how we actually make it happen and what happens in our business when we are gone.
Probably the most important fact: When I left my corporate job in 2022, my husband Scott and I made a pact: travel at least once a quarter. No, not just to Grandma's house – though we love her dearly. We're talking big adventures, from European escapades to stateside explorations. Our goal? To truly experience life, one passport stamp at a time. After all, time freedom and flexibility were key reasons for pursuing our entrepreneurial dreams. I am happy to share that in the two years we have been doing this, we haven't missed a quarter yet.
The goal is to experience life. Which is the WHOLE reason I wanted to have our own schedule.
Financial Foundations: Implementing Profit First
Traveling isn't a light expense, so we got strategic from the get-go. Enter Profit First – a financial strategy that transformed our approach to budgeting. With separate bank accounts for business expenses, taxes, and yes, travel, we started stashing away funds dedicated to this goal. Some months, we literally put $50 in, and others it's a bit more. But over time, it adds up, fueling our adventures and serving as a tangible reminder of why we do what we do.
Our travel fund isn't just about plane tickets and hotel stays – it's about motivation. Whether it's funding a special house project or embarking on a dream vacation, having a dedicated fund adds an extra layer of excitement to our entrepreneurial journey. Consider creating your own "fun fund" – something that fuels your passion and keeps you inspired on the toughest days.
Business as Usual: How We Keep Things Running
Now, onto the million-dollar question: what actually happens to our business when we're off gallivanting? The short answer: business as usual, my friends. While we're off making memories, our business continues humming along seamlessly, thanks to careful planning and strategic systems.
I think I am a little bit of an odd duck because when I started this. business, I set up the systems first. Most go after the income and then setup the systems. But because I didn't have a lot of time, I knew I needed the systems to actually help me and in many cases save me time. With systems in place, we can take a step back and enjoy our time away, knowing our business is in capable hands.
- The podcast is scheduled. (I try to work ahead batch and do 2-3 solo episodes at a time)
- Our community content (think Club, Mastermind etc.) was also scheduled. Usually, I do this about a week ahead of time but in this case did it a few weeks.
- The content you see on social all gets repurposed from the podcast (also ahead of time) which means I just scheduled it before I left.
- To be honest, I didn't schedule as much as I usually do, but I kind of just wanted to take a break off the grid.
- Emails were written before we left. Which is honestly pretty usual. My awesome copywriter Jenny and I have a monthly plan we follow and are usually a few weeks in advance anyway (she is amazing).
Planning Ahead: The Key to Success
Whether you have a team or not, planning ahead is key. From quarterly planning sessions to content repurposing and email strategies, foresight saves you time and stress. Want to dive deeper into our planning process? DM me for our exclusive Spotify playlist. It's packed with tips and tricks to keep your business running smoothly.
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Here's the beauty of it all: we can choose to disconnect from social media while on vacation, knowing that our business is still thriving. Our funnels keep running, our podcast keeps airing, and our main drivers remain active – all while we're sipping lattes in Paris or hiking in the Austrian Alps (both happened and were amazing!)
The ONLY thing I am going to do is inside our mastermind and club answer questions during specific office hours which I scheduled when we are on trains between cities.
I do have support coaches inside our mastermind that also teach and guest speaking in case the wifi is funky or I just spend too much time on our chocolate tour in Switzerland.
So long story short, not a lot changes when we are out of town, which is exactly how I want it to be. The mantra that I have in my notebook I carry around me says "My passive income exceeds our family lifestyle" - I am not sure we are there yet, but this is a first step.
Does your business run when you are not?
Looking Ahead: Summer of Fun
As we look to the future, our goal remains clear: to create a business that runs like clockwork, even when we're off the grid. This summer, we're planning an extended getaway – the "Summer of Fun," as I like to call it – where we can truly unwind and recharge. Want to join us on this journey to freedom and flexibility? Start by implementing two key strategies: a killer funnel and a system for social media downtime.
If I were to tell you ONE thing to do to take a step in helping your business run by itself (well actually two things) it would be:
- Have one REALLY good funnel that does the heavy lifting for you and nurtures your audience
- Create a system so you can take a break from social (and not lose revenue) - Easier said than done but you know I have a plan for you.
Does your business run when you're not around? If not, it's time to make a change. With strategic planning, smart systems, and a dash of wanderlust, you too can create a business that affords you the freedom to live life on your terms. Let's make it happen – one passport stamp at a time.
Looking for more tips? Check out our Crush the Rush Club!
ps. Know what else is super important? Creating your client attraction system!
About the author
Holly Haynes is a business strategist who loves a good plan and flow chart. She is crazy passionate about teaching women like you how to build your dream job and scale to 6-figures without sacrificing your weekends or priorities.
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