Why Community Matters When You’re Building a Remote, Nomadic Lifestyle

Hi friend,

In 2020 I made a decision that changed everything: I chose location and time freedom over financial stability, with the belief that money would eventually follow. I still carry that belief, though the path has been anything but easy. Some people might question those choices if the only measure of success were my bank account or credit score, especially given where I started. But I’ve kept going.

Recently, I spoke with a mentor who reminded me of something powerful. After working with hundreds of entrepreneurs, he’s seen both success and struggle. Some people thrive in one venture only to stumble in the next. Others start rocky, pivot again and again, and eventually build wisdom you simply can’t gain without lived experience.

I hold a piece of that wisdom now.

I’m not quite ready to fully share the harder details of my financial decisions, but I am ready to share the joy of this lifestyle. I love being able to pack up, relocate, and begin again. While a nomadic path isn’t for everyone, for me, right now, it feels exactly right.

And after a few emotional ups and downs (yes, tears included) during my first week in Portugal, I finally felt it: grounded, steady, and excited for what’s ahead.

Settling Into the Nomadic Life

I still remember crying when I sold my sit/stand desk and office chair back in December 2024. I had wanted that desk for so long, and letting it go felt like I was giving up on something important. But I’ve learned that home and work don’t have to look like they once did. For now, coworking spaces and cozy cafés feel like enough.

My first full week of work in Portugal went smoothly. I adjusted quickly to the time zone, and after a full day of client calls, I thought: Okay, I can do this.

Routines That Actually Feel Good

One of the most grounding choices I’ve made is sticking to simple morning and evening routines. I’ve resisted them in the past, but now I see how much balance they bring when I’m consistent. ChatGPT even helped me refine mine, and they’ve become a steady anchor in the midst of change.

Of course, not everything about nomadic life is smooth. Ordering lunch or grocery shopping in another language often feels like an Olympic-level Google Translate event. But there’s joy in those learning curves too.

And sometimes the universe drops little affirmations at the exact right moment. A Yogi tea tag with this message: “Your breath fills you with energy, anywhere and anytime you need it.” reminded me of the power that comes with slowing down, breathing deep, and trusting that what I need is already available within me.

Whenever I question the choices I’ve made, especially around leaving behind a successful career as a hairstylist, stepping out of beauty education, and now moving fully into community building and consulting, I remind myself: I’m rebuilding.

• Rebuilding daily routines that sustain me.
  

• Rebuilding a career rooted in purpose and impact.
  

• Rebuilding trust in myself after years of unsteady ground.
  

• Rebuilding a life that allows me to be both adventurous and deeply rooted.

And I’ve learned something along the way: none of this building happens in isolation. Yes, personal grit matters. But community (mentors, peers, friends, and the clients I walk alongside in my work) has been what has carried me from one season into the next.

From Hairstylist to Community Builder

Back in 2020, when I first made the leap into entrepreneurship outside of the salon, I started my own membership community for beauty and barber professionals. It was a space focused on education around entrepreneurship and it showed me the incredible power of gathering people with shared goals and struggles.

Although I don’t currently offer a membership structure, I still believe it’s one of the most powerful tools for community growth. Memberships bring people together, create accountability, and allow us to share knowledge that is unmatched.

I am so excited to be part of the Memberships: What’s Working Now Summit this October 6-10. It’s a free, 5-day event where 30 experts (myself included) are sharing the real, right-now strategies that are working for memberships today through strategies that make growth feel possible and sustainable again. If you’ve ever thought about creating a membership, or if you already have one and want fresh ideas, this is something you don’t want to miss.

If you’re standing at the edge of something hard, moving to a new country, changing jobs, or just trying something new, bravo. And also, let me remind you that it’s okay to cry, to question yourself, and to still trust that brighter days are ahead.

Here’s my invitation: celebrate one small win today. Maybe it’s as simple as remembering to breathe because a tea tag reminds you! Whatever it is, honor it. Those little wins stack up until one day you realize this is exactly what you were searching for.

And if you’re craving a space to share those wins (and the struggles) with women who get it, I’d love to invite you into Finding Common Ground. We hosted our first circle last Sunday and I could not be more grateful for the space we co-created. This monthly virtual gathering space is an invitation to show up unmasked, support each other, and remember that we don’t have to do life alone.

Want more raw rebuild? Watch my full vlog on my YouTube channel, From the Ground Up and subscribe for future episodes where I share the real, unfiltered journey of starting over.

P.S. Just a quick note that my summit link is an affiliate link, which means I’ll earn a commission if you join through me. Thank you for supporting my work, it helps me keep sharing these kinds of spaces with you 🫶