NuNomad Location Independent Living, Lifestyle Design, Independent Travel

A lot of people assume that if you want to have a sustainable income while you’re on the road you’d better build a money making web presence.  In fact, there are many sites on location independence that will sell that idea.  It is almost as if  location independent person = money making website owner.   Of course, it’s usually to their advantage because in the next line they’re going to sell you some product or service to teach you how to create this fabulous website.

Now, I’ll let you in on a little personal mission of my own.  That has been to debunk the above idea.  In fact, since 2006 I’ve been interviewing and blogging about nomadic professionals from many walks of life purposely to show that “there’s more than one way to skin a cat” so to speak.

So – I thought it would be fun to do a list now of the many ways people out there just like you and me are seeing the world and keeping their income going.  I hope it will bring hope and inspiration to those of you who are wondering how you might make your nomading dreams happen and new ideas to those of us who are already out there.

My apologies to those interviewees whose pictures are missing.  In moving my blog from Typepad I lost a lot of images. What a nightmare!

In addition, toward the end of the list I have added in a couple more ways that although I have not yet interviewed individuals from these careers I have discussed their existence with others.

1. Web designer – Ok, this one is web related.  However, being a web designer is not the same thing as owning money making sites.  Designers develop and maintain their clientele.  Our own Richard Hamel (my partner here at NuNomad) is one such designer who has now traveled more than 32 countries over almost a decade.  Check out his designs at DotComWebWorks (not to mention that our NuNomad mother site is his design as well).
2. Photographer - With the age of digital photography this craft has become more mobile than ever.  We interviewed Tat Tso, photographer and web designer traveling between the U.S. and Hong Kong as one such great example.
3. Biofuel Educator -When we met Seth and Tyler they were driving their biofuel powered truck from Alaska to Argentina and educating people along the way.  The money for the Oil and Water Project was derived from sponsors. To top it off, they were having an amazing time kayaking at every opportunity.
4. Balloon Artist – Irina Patterson has got to be one of our more creative interviewees.  Having brought balloon art to an amazingly high level, Irina is actually paid large sums to bring her craft where she goes. Check it out at her blog
5. Communications Specialist – Mark and Judith, owners of Foundation Communicaid have been able to make their non-profit business in communications and marketing consulting completely mobile. When we interviewed them they were in Southeast Asia.
6. Trapeze Artist - My family had the treat of hosting 3 trapeze artists, Russell, Randy and Jay, while they worked in Austin.  These three guys have seen their share of the world while flying high above the air for Trapeze Experience.
7. Consultant - Consulting is not a typical location independent career in that you’re usually told where to go.  However, FB, had taken her consulting job and made it an engine by which she was downsizing and saving for life adventures in the future.
8. Coach – OK, that’s me.  I’m the owner of Dr. Coach.  I actually got into coaching from psychology specifically because of it’s potential mobility.  All I need is my laptop and headset and I’m good to go.  But I’m not the only one.  We also interviewed Lynn Hornyak and executive coach who puts her mobility into action as well.
9. Writer - There are lots of location independent writers out there to draw inspiration from.  One we interviewed was Nora Dunn. Another who comes to mind who has been a supporter of our blog here and of the location independent community is Sharon Hurley Hall.
10. Author - Ok – pretty close to writers but these have their own books.  Maya Frost is a nomadic author of “The New Global Student”.  Another profession that’s good to go with a laptop.
11. Film Maker – Jeff and Vern were totally adorable, creating films while they nomaded in their trailer around Los Angeles.
12. Camel Trainer – Why not be a camel trainer?  Doug Baum has melded his love for camels with regular travel to the Bedouin nomads.  His photo brought tears to our eyes.
13. Software Developer – A reader favorite, Cherie of Technomadia earns her living as a software developer as she and her husband Chris travel the U.S. in their RV.
14. Brand/logo designers - Greg and Yoko prove that logo design and branding are yet another nomadable occupation.
15. Graphic designer – Milosh Zorica sees the world while he creates designs for others.
16. Business Analyst – Eugene proves that being a business analyst can be done while you nomad.
17. Insurance agent – Who would ever think you could be an insurance agent and a nomad?  Simon Le Pine is just that.
18. Rescue worker - Simon Le Pine is not only an insurance agent but also a rescue worker as he travels the world!
19. Translator – OK we’ve hit the professions that I have not yet interviewed but I know exist.  Translation is done by many online and there is no need to be in one location.
20. Radiologist – Believe it or not even MD’s have a chance at location independence.  While waiting in a hair salon in Austin Texas, I got into a conversation with a woman whose husband does just that.  Don’t believe me?  Check out NightHawk.
21. Virtual Assistant – as we know virtual assistants can be located anywhere.  So if you’re one you could be too.  Virtual Assistance U is a place to get training to join this profession.
22. Property Manager – I haven’t interviewed them yet but 2 sets of my English speaking friends here in Oaxaca fund their travels by managing real estate in their home cities.
23. English Teacher - We can’t forget this die hard option for those of us who really want to travel and enjoy sharing our language.  In fact, my first long term travel experience was doing just that.
24. Dancer – OK, we didn’t get an interview with him, but Matt Harding has taken his little dance around the world and gets paid to do so. If you want to put a smile on your face, definitely watch the video on his link.
25. Importer – If you love purchasing handwork, art, and just cool stuff from other countries, you might consider funding your travels through importing and selling some of the things you love.

This is a list of 25 actual careers that have been and are being nomaded.  I’m sure it only scratches the surface of possibilities out there and I imagine you may know even more.

I’d love to hear about other nomadable careers that you know of.  I hope this list has provided some inspirational thought.

Photo by: Skippyjon