Happy Sunday!

I’ve been playing around with the best day to send this newsletter and I’m settling on a Sunday. Not only does it seem to get the best response, it coincides with Beehiiv’s state of emails newsletters report (link further down the newsletter), that actually confirms Sundays are the best time to send newsletters.

So look out for me on a Sunday!

Hopefully, depending where you are in the world, I’ll either be motivating you last thing at night before the new week begins, or adding to a nice relaxed morning supping coffee and planning your next adventure!

Talking about adventures, here’s some travel trivia for you;

What is the world's longest continuous hiking trail, known for its breathtaking landscapes and the ultimate adventure for trekking enthusiasts?

(Hot tip - it was also the subject of a fantastic book and movie!)

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

How to Transform Everyday Skills Into a Travel-Fueled Lifestyle

In today's issue, I want to explore a topic that's close to my heart and crucial for anyone looking to escape the routine and travel the world. 

And that’s recognizing and utilising your skills to create a lifestyle that supports your wanderlust.

Often, we overlook the skills we've accumulated over the years. Whether it's your professional expertise or personal hobbies, your skills are not just bullet points on your resume; they're your keys to unlocking a life of travel and adventure.

Get started by identifying what you're good at. 

Think beyond your job description. Are you a great organiser, a problem solver, an excellent communicator? Each skill, no matter how small it seems, holds potential.

Once you've identified your skills, the next step is to find a business model that aligns with them.

This could be freelancing, consulting, creating online courses, or even starting a niche blog. The goal is to find a platform that not only utilises your skills but also fits into the lifestyle you envision.

Let’s break down some common skills and pair them with potential business models to get your imagination flowing;

1. Gardening: Cultivating a Green Thumb into Greenbacks

• Skill: Your passion for gardening.

• Business Model: Start a blog or YouTube channel sharing gardening tips, write eBooks on specific gardening techniques, or offer virtual landscaping consultation services.

Read Kevin Espiritu’s story of how he grew Epic Gardening

2. Bookkeeping: Turning Numbers into Nomadic Adventures

• Skill: Your knack for bookkeeping.

• Business Model: Offer virtual bookkeeping services for small businesses, create online courses teaching basic accounting, or start a financial advice blog.

NB: Accounting is one of the most in demand remote jobs people are hiring for right now!

3. Parenting: Leveraging Life’s Lessons

• Skill: The invaluable experience gained from parenting.

• Business Model: Develop parenting guides or eBooks, start a parenting advice blog, or offer online coaching for new parents.

4. Baking: Whipping Up a Tasty Business

• Skill: Your baking prowess.

• Business Model: Create and sell baking course videos, write a recipe eBook, or start a baking supplies e-commerce site.

5. Empowering and Motivating Teams: From Leader to Entrepreneur

• Skill: Leadership and team motivation.

• Business Model: Offer online leadership coaching, create a course on team building, or start a motivational speaking vlog.

6. Working with Excel: From Spreadsheets to Success Stories

• Skill: Proficiency in Excel.

• Business Model: Create and sell Excel templates, offer personalised Excel training sessions, or start a blog about data organisation and analysis.

See Miss Excel on TikTok - 933.6k Followers!

Action Steps for Each Path:

1. Identify your skill and research its market demand.

2. Choose a business model that excites you and aligns with your skill.

3. Plan and create content or services around your skill.

4. Promote your business through social media and networks.

5. Be consistent and patient; growth takes time.

Overcoming Doubts and Hurdles

Remember, everyone starts with doubts. The key is to start small, believe in your skills, and consistently work towards your goals.

You don't need a massive following or huge investments to start. Begin where you are, with what you have. Your skills and determination are your biggest assets.

In Summary:

• Your skills are your most significant assets.

• Find a business model that resonates with you and your skills.

• Action and patience are your tools for success.

• Believe in your skills and their value.

Your skills, no matter how ordinary they may seem, can be the gateway to a lifestyle of freedom and travel. You just need to  find the right model, take action, and stay committed to your journey.

I hope this gives you both inspiration and practical ideas to start your own skill-based journey.

Here's to turning your skills into your passport to the world! ✈️

Zero to $10k Etsy Challenge

I’ve decided to create posts on the website to track my progress with this challenge. Otherwise these emails will get super long!

Here is my Etsy Challenge Progress Report 1.

Main updates include;

1. To niche or not to niche - I have decided

2. The complexities of product research on Etsy

3. Picking your first products to sell

4. Some excellent teachers I’ve found on YouTube

Read my Etsy Challenge Progress report 1 here.

I would also like to thank the awesome Vikki Ede for sending me a recommended resource to check out, which I’ve included in the progress report - (see Jessa Bellman). Very helpful!

Vikki runs a fantastic Facebook Page and community for women dealing with menopause, so if you’re a lady at that stage of life (as I am), check her page out. It’s full of tips and hacks to alleviate many of the symptoms and make our lives better!

Vikki’s Menopause Support Group

From the Web

Every day I must read 10 or so posts about travel, nomadism and entrepreneurship.

Here’s some of my favourite finds from this week;

Some Light Hearted Fun

Please click one of the options above. Nothing happens except it registers your vote. If I get enough responses, I’ll post the results in next weeks newsletter!

Here’s last week’s poll results - it seems teleportation was the most popular which I completely agree with!

How awesome would it be to just hit a button, close your eyes and be in the place you desire!

Trivia Answer

If you guessed The Pacific Crest Trail, you’re right!

The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail that stretches along the high areas of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, about 100 to 150 miles east of the Pacific coast in the U.S.

It starts near Campo, California, close to the Mexico border, and ends at the Canadian border in Manning Park, British Columbia. The trail runs through California, Oregon, and Washington.

It's renowned for its length, challenging terrain, and stunning scenery, making it a dream trek for many adventurers.

It was also the subject of Cheryl Strayed's memoir "Wild," where she recounts her transformative journey hiking over a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, grappling with personal challenges and self-discovery, which was later turned into a movie with Reese Witherspoon. (Highly recommended watching).

That’s All Folks

That’s it from me this week. I hope this edition has been the right mix of fun, informative and useful.

If not, I would love to hear from you! Just click one of the links in the section below and let me know what kind of content would make the most difference to your life, travels and business/income.

Have a fabulous week, live your best life and as always get out there and make it happen!

Jo 😊