Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rachel Story, Co-Founder of Grateful Gypsies, located in the USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My husband Sasha and I run a travel blog called Grateful Gypsies. We help digital nomads and live music fans plan for life-changing experiences and a location-independent lifestyle. Most people who land on our site are looking for information about working remotely so they can live a lifestyle of their own design or travel inspiration and information. You can read our full story on our About page.

Tell us about yourself

In 2010, we moved to Beijing, China, to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). You might think it's because we went to school to be teachers, but that is not the case. We graduated from university right into the Great Recession and struggled to find jobs in the US. We needed food stamps to get by, and we got robbed twice. It felt like rock bottom. At the time, China had a high demand for native-speaking English teachers and a low supply. So we moved to Beijing to start earning some money and to have an adventure.

After over three years in Beijing, we had a strong case of the travel bug. During our short vacations, we met people from all over the world in the middle of a "gap year." We learned that a gap year is when you take an extended trip to multiple countries between finishing school and starting a career. We were in our late 20s at this point and had already started working, but we were still intrigued by the idea. So we saved up, quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and set off on a 14-month gap year. We became addicted to that sense of freedom - being about to go anywhere anytime without needing to ask someone for permission. As a result, we figured out a way to start working online so we could create a digital nomad lifestyle.

Our travel blog started as a way to keep our friends and family updated on our whereabouts. Over the years, it has turned into a business meant to inspire people to create their own location-independent lifestyle through our free content, coaching packages, and trip planning services.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is the inspiration we've given others to move abroad or break free from a traditional 9 to 5 lifestyle and create their own. I take great pride in inspiring others to make a big change in their life that results in more freedom and happiness. Secondary to that is creating that freedom for myself. Sasha and I have been digital nomads since 2016 and have no intentions of slowing down.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner for me is having to be "on" all the time. As an employee, in most cases, you can leave work and not think about it until you go back the next day. As a business owner, you have to wear many hats, and your to-do list is never-ending. In addition, I'm constantly working on getting out of my own way and dealing with imposter syndrome.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Done is better than perfect. If you have an idea for a business you want to start, just do it. Don't wait until you feel "ready" or have the "perfect" business plan because those days will never come.
  2. Find a community that can support you. Running a business is hard. Finding a community of like-minded people is paramount because they've been there, understand your goals, and can offer support when you need it.
  3. Don't give up. Remember that there's no such thing as overnight success. Being a business owner is an emotional rollercoaster. It's very exciting in the beginning, but as you move forward, you'll have really hard days where you'll wonder what on earth you were thinking. Persistence, dedication, patience, and a willingness to not give up will help you push through the hard days.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If you're interested in learning more about the services we offer, check out our Work With Us page.

We have a free newsletter where we share an update on our life as well as tips and tricks for living a location-independent lifestyle. You can subscribe here.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.gratefulgypsies.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gratefulgypsies/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gratefulgypsies/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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