Old school business leaders believe growing an empire requires a permanent office. They warn remote founders they won’t be able to create a culture, close deals, or manage effectively. They insist you need to physically watch employees work and shake hands with clients. But this tired advice ignores reality: entrepreneurs are building multi-million dollar companies while living anywhere they want. And you can too.
I ran a social media agency for ten years before selling it in 2021. For 9 of those years we had a physical office. But revenue grew the most when we didn’t. That’s when I realised the rules had changed. The old way wasn’t the only way. Now, I’d never sign an office lease. Let’s debunk some common myths that keep entrepreneurs anchored to one location.
False limits holding back location-independent entrepreneurs
The biggest barrier to building a thriving business while traveling is mindset. Not practicality. Outdated assumptions block progress and keep talented founders chained to fixed locations when they could be thriving globally.
Business leaders cling to physical-first thinking because change threatens their world view. When someone says “you can’t grow a business while traveling,” what they really mean is “I can’t imagine doing it myself.” Don’t mistake their limitations for yours.
Seven nomad business myths you can ignore immediately
Culture suffers
Traditional business leaders will have you thinking you need an office or a physical location. People need to turn up to work each day and you need to look them in the eye and watch over them while they work. They will tell you that culture can only be built from a physical location, not while everyone is in a different city. But this simply isn’t true. Many thriving businesses have entirely remote teams with strong cultures. Zapier, Buffer and Basecamp are a few.
Creating strong company culture remotely requires intention, not proximity. Build rituals that connect your team across time zones. Host virtual events that bring people together. Make your values visible in every interaction.
Your growth is capped
Many people claim clients will want to meet you in person before they sign huge deals. But this assumption rarely holds true. Plenty of deals get signed without wet ink on the contract. You can structure offers that scale while traveling.
Package your expertise into high-ticket group programs. Put core teachings into digital systems that deliver 24/7 regardless of your location. Clients pay for transformation, not your zip code.
Managing the team is difficult
People assume when you’re not physically present, you don’t know what your team is doing. But if you have to watch over your team to know they are working, the issue goes beyond office space. Task tracking software can make sure work gets done. Measuring outcomes means the right stuff is the focus.
Remote management means you have to hire for accountability and independence, not just technical ability. Your onboarding gets more detailed. Your expectations become crystal clear. Start measuring what matters instead of hours in a chair.
Investors are skeptical
Many founders worry investors won’t back location-independent businesses. This concern is largely unfounded. Plenty of angel investors are exited founders themselves. Many of them grew and sold their business while traveling. They know that for those committed, it will work out.
Modern investors care about results. Your lifestyle should not be their concern. Your pitch deck should showcase customer growth and revenue, not office photos. Think globally and hire to match. Build with a distributed team and prove them wrong..
People don’t take you seriously
Old habits die hard. Physical locations, in our heads, means success. But that’s not the case anymore. Ask a gen-z if they want an office. They will probably say no. What makes an aspirational business has fundamentally changed.
Others take you seriously when you take your work seriously. And you know how to do that. Create case studies that showcase client transformations. Build content that demonstrates your knowledge. Speak at virtual events in your industry. Signal authority with your work.
Too much disruption to focus
Naysayers will tell you traveling is too much of a mental overhead and you can’t grow a business while doing it too often. Yet successful nomad entrepreneurs prove otherwise. Your VA can sort most things for you according to rules you put in place. SOPs are for your business, not just your life.
Systemized operations remove yourself as the bottleneck. Document processes for your team so they don’t need you for daily decisions. Automate client onboarding and other routine tasks. Use templates for recurring tasks. Build a library of process manuals that makes your business location-proof.
All work gets done on the beach
The digital nomad stereotype suggests unprofessional setups and casual work environments. This couldn’t be further from reality. Nomads are setting up in wealthy cities joining coworking spaces and living from Airbnbs with plenty of room to set up their office.
Serious digital nomads create professional environments wherever they go. They research internet speeds before booking accommodation. They join premium coworking spaces with meeting rooms and business addresses. They invest in portable technology that maintains quality on the move. If you want to work from the beach, go ahead. But you can do whatever you want, and that’s the point.
Building your business around freedom works
The Instagram hashtags show beachside laptops and infinity pools, not strategic planning sessions and financial projections. But that doesn’t mean they’re not in place. Digital nomads prioritize lifestyle, but not necessarily at the cost of serious business growth.
Building a location-independent business requires intentional structure. Set clear communication protocols for your team. Create systems that run without your constant input. Package your expertise for remote delivery. Focus on results, not hours worked. Don’t wait for permission. Design the business that supports your dream life.
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