Welcome to the 19th edition of “How to Make Money While Travelling” which features successful nomadic teams and interviews with location independent entrepreneurs.
This week I interviewed 19-year-old nomad, Jeremy Noronha from Goa, India, who is currently based in Vietnam. At the age of 18, Jeremy left Goa with everything he owns in a single bag. He started marketing consultancy for businesses remotely and founded Think Travel Lift Grow; a travel blog documenting his journey around the world.
“My Journey is My Home”
Q1: So, how do you make money while travelling?
My travel blog at Think Travel Lift Grow pays for my travels. My main source of income is through affiliate marketing, mostly with Amazon and Bluehost. I market my blog on social media and forums. I also do marketing consultation for businesses and other blogs.
Q2: What were you doing before Think Travel Lift Grow?
I was in college studying Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering before I dropped out and started Think Travel Lift Grow when I was 18. When I started travelling I would build websites for cafes etc to make ends meet.
But I kept on working on my blog and now it pays for my travels..
Q3: What are your reasons for becoming location independent?
I love exploring new places and new cultures, having the freedom to live anywhere in the world at this young age is pretty amazing.
Q4: What challenges do you face in your career while both working and travelling?
The biggest hurdle I have while travelling is visas. I have an Indian Passport which is very weak. It’s ranked 158 among the passports of the world! So I almost always have to get a visa prior to visiting most countries.
Also, most people (including my parents) don’t understand how I can make money while travelling. My bank once asked me “what do you do?”, I told them and they said I can’t make money like that!
Q5: What is the biggest lesson you have learnt from becoming location independent?
The one thing about the life I lead is that, I am always learning. Each place I go to has something new to teach me, hence I will always be a student.
One of the greatest lessons is that with great power (freedom) comes great responsibilities, it’s easy to get carried away and get your feet off the ground.
Q6: How do you find work while travelling?
Word of mouth, referrals and social media. When I started, I would go cafe to cafe, pitching for jobs.
Q7: Do you think businesses should offer more remote working opportunities? If so, why?
YES! Much of the work that happens in offices doesn’t require people to be in office anymore. The internet has changed the playing field.
And now you can get Wi-Fi almost everywhere. I was able to get WiFi at 4000 meters while trekking in Nepal!
Q8: What would your advice be to someone who wants to quit their desk job?
INVEST! Invest time in yourself, work on yourself, read more books and push yourself out of the comfort zone. You will always be your greatest investment.
Q9: What is your favourite travel quote?
“Of all the books In the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport” – Unknown
