Here, Ana Dobrevska, a fellow digital nomad and Online Business Manager for Soulful Entrepreneurs, shares her insights on all things business and working remotely.
1. How did you begin your nomad lifestyle? As a student, entrepreneur, trailing spouse, professional, retiree, etc? And tell us about that journey!
My nomad life started a year before the pandemic. I wanted to be able to work remotely and travel while having a sustainable income. I started my nomad journey completely broke, finding my way through support from other travellers/nomads in FB groups and collecting info through research over the web. I was building my freelancing career when covid hit, and since then learning different skills, creating my website and building a portfolio and connections to find my clients.
2. What does your work entail? Tell us more about being an Online Business Manager and being a ‘Wing Woman’ in business?
My experience is with designing, optimising & managing processes, creating systems and automations, providing support with launches and funnels, on boarding and off boarding as well as day-to-day team management, planning and delegation. I help the backend of my clients’ businesses and I work exclusively with soulful business owners who are here to make long-lasting impact and change
3. What advice do you have for females who are entrepreneurs but may be feeling stuck or females with a business idea but are nervous to take the leap into being a female founder?
You will always feel stuck one way or another. There will always be something you don’t know, are unsure or don’t understand. They key is to let go and dare to make a move. I keep repeating to myself a quote I read once “ Maybe it will workout, maybe it won’t – but trying out might be your best adventure yet.” Regardless of the outcome – we will always be more experienced and resilient on the other side 🙂
4. Where have you traveled or lived in as a digital nomad that has left a lasting impression on you and why?
South Africa has definitely been one of my favourite places and has left a lasting impression on my soul. Living in a culture so rich that has preserved their genuine and authentic connection to the world really hit home for me. I have never felt so in tune with a place and its people.
5. In your career, what has been your most rewarding position or job?
I don’t have a job, I have a lifestyle and a mission 🙂 Living my dream and working for inspiring entrepreneurs and learning from them has been the most challenging adventure yet.
6. What advice do you have for female expats facing cultural or language barriers in work?
Learn the basics of a language – people always appreciate the effort and its a great way to make local friendships. When going to a new country I always try to leave my expectations and standards at the border – every culture is different and embracing it and understanding it instead of comparing or complaining has always been a game- changer for my experience.
7. What advice do you have for female digital nomads or travellers who may be struggling to make a stable income?
I am figuring out that myself. This lifestyle is unstable – having savings and learning about investments helps. Good friendships and having a stable support group has been the biggest denominator for me.
8. What have been some of the challenges you have faced professionally? How did you overcome them?
This lifestyle is one of constant challenges. Whether you can’t access your work because of vpn issues, need do a visa run or you don’t have a home because of a booking problem, being resilient and learning how to be adaptable are the biggest learnings I have learnt.
9. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love all things self-development, I’m into breath work, meditation, neuroscience and somatic therapies, I love a good book and travel is basically my life and made my lifestyle – exploring and immersing in new cultures.
10. What was your most difficult client and how did you overcome it?
I have been lucky enough to not have difficult clients up to this date.
Find out more:
IG:@hipsterhemian