Book review of The Suitcase Entrepreneur by Natalie Sisson
Book reviewer: Prime Sarmiento
Those of us who treat traveling as a lifestyle seems to have a pathological need to explore [or revisit] a new place for time to time. My friend and intuitive coach Christina even told me that I have to travel or else I'll be anxious.
Given my Gypsygal psyche, I designed a career that will give more chance to travel – becoming a foreign correspondent definitely fits the bill [ and pays the bills ] . Lately, however, I felt that being an employee seems to be a bit limiting. This, even if I love being a journalist. But I want to travel more – backpack Europe, practice my Spanish in Peru, meditate in Isis temple in Egypt, finish a Kundalini Yoga teacher training course in Bangkok . I can hardly do this without having to exceed the company-approved vacation leaves.
There's also the fact that I want to become an entrepreneur as I want the freedom to chart my own path, to transform this travel blog that you are reading right now to become a full blown multi media site and one stop resource for solo female travelers.
But I came from an entrepreneurial family, and I know that it's so much harder to leave a business in order to travel [moreso if it’s in the start-up phase when your business needs you ALL the time].
Good for me though that I get to live at a time that online businesses are booming and that it's indeed possible to start and nurture a location independent business. So I tried to learn everything about this business and in the process met my now business mentor Natalie Sisson .
No one knows this new form of business and lifestyle better than Natalie – the lovely Kiwi lady who built a 6-figure business while traveling the world and showing others how to create freedom in business and adventure in life. Natali has coached hundreds of clients and inspired thousands to take action through her blog and speaking engagements. I am lucky to get valuable coaching on the no-BS way to make money blogging from Natalie, as I signed up for the intensive WE Mastermind#
I'm happy to say that Natalie, after three years of living in her suitcase, decided to write and self-publish The Suitcase Entrepreneur – a practical guide to learn how to become a digital nomad and truly live life on your own terms.
What I love about the book is that it's both loaded with information and organized in such a way that will serve both aspiring and existing digital nomads.
The book is divided into three parts – with the first devoted to developing a mindset for digital entrepreneurship , the second devoted to the nitty gritty of building your online business using online tools, social media and outsourcing, while the third is filled with travel hacking tips – from budgeting to packing light to keeping fit and healthy while in the road. An existing digital nomad can skip the first part and just read the two succeeding parts. But an aspiring one like you should must read the first one if only to crush the fears that keep you from moving forward. And believ me, it's all about the mindset!
Natalie didn't only rely on her personal experiences, but also interviewed other digital nomads who offer valuable advice and inspiration. She also researched and revealed ALL the tools that you can use in setting a business for one hundred dollars or less and the how to make it thrive wherever you may be. In fact, the book is definitely worth every penny if only for the extensive list of checklists, downloads, books, websites, apps, tools and services that she put at the resource page.
While the book was written by an author who has no home base and enjoys being “homeless”, living out of a suitcase, it doesn't mean that only those who want to gallivant all over the world will benefit from the book. In fact, anyone who's keen on building an online business will learn a lot from the book – whether you want to build that while relaxing in beach resort or at the comfort of your home kitchen.
The Suitcase Entrepreneur is all about creating freedom in life and business, something Natalie repeatedly stressed in her book. In the concluding portion of the book, Natalie defined how crucial freedom is in anyone's life:
“Freedom to do what you want, when you want, with whoever you want, from anywhere you want. To achieve this you need to work hard, hustle and be determined to stick it out for the long haul. You have to be willing to take risks and you have to persist in seeing your vision become a reality.”
On a more personal level, what to me is more relevant is Natalie's insistence on not having a Plan B, aka an “attractive back-up plan.” Taking her cue from Seth Godin, Natalie notes that “if you have a back-up plan, you’ll always defer to it. So simply focus on the outcome you want, not the alternatives (which may look far more appealing, like real income and job security).”
Now I'm a particularly cautious person and a Plan B or even a Plan C is always in the cards. But now, as I move forward with my life and business, as I work on this year's intention to Go Big or Go Home, I'm learning to see and believe that it's better to just give my all and focus on what I really want. And if that means letting go of Plan B, so be it.
After all, this is what freedom is all about. This is what living life on your own terms is all about. This is what living from the heart is all about.
So go buy The Suitcase Entrepreneur and learn why having true freedom means not having a Plan B.
