My Journey to Remote Work Freedom

Today's article features insights from Michelle Dale, an expert in online business consultancy and the creator of 1nSourcing.

How It All Began

Hey there! Ever thought about packing up your life and heading out on an adventure with no set return date? I did just that 19 years ago, and wow, what a ride it's been. My name's Michelle Dale, and I'm here to share how I turned my love for travel into a sustainable, thriving online business.

So, picture this: I was itching to travel but needed a way to fund my globetrotting lifestyle. That's when I stumbled upon the idea of becoming a virtual assistant (VA). I booked a one-way ticket out of the UK and decided not to look back. As soon as I reached my first destination, I knew the UK wasn’t going to be home base anymore. That's when my VA business truly took off.

Building a Business on the Road

Living in various countries and having five kids (with four born in different countries) meant life was always on the move. But I made it work, and now I’m settled in Egypt. From here, I help people build their own online businesses. I teach, develop websites, handle marketing, design, and manage all the backend operations. It's been a wild ride, but I've lived out my dream of constant travel and running a successful business from anywhere.

The Services I Offer

Digital Business Operations

My main focus is on digital business operations. We help promote digital products and build the entire operational backend – from websites to membership sites, and everything in between. Think of us as the behind-the-scenes crew making sure everything runs smoothly, including graphics, marketing, and social media.

Teaching and Guiding

I also teach people how to set up their own service-based online businesses. Over the years, I developed a model called "one sourcing." This came about after seeing what worked and what didn’t in the VA industry. It’s a guideline for effective collaboration between clients and virtual assistants. I’ve hired around 75 VAs over the years and often had teams of 20+ working with me. This experience gave me a solid understanding from both the client and VA perspectives.

Creating a Virtual Co-Working Space

The Need for a Routine

In this line of work, you create tons of content –webinars, events, courses, you name it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. That’s where GoBrunch comes in. I use it to create a virtual co-working space that keeps me and my team accountable. It’s like having an office without the physical space. The flexibility of GoBrunch allows us to design diverse, engaging environments.

Accountability and Growth

Every day, I hold accountability sessions. These are live-streamed on YouTube, which helps in growing my channel and piques people's curiosity. Consistency is key, and having a daily routine has been beneficial for everyone involved. Even if someone joins later, they have access to an archive of all previous sessions.

Engaging the Community

We’re gearing up for a live launch in March where people can submit their own "co-talks." These are basically their mini-webinars. They’ll get their dedicated rooms, and we have a mix of live Q&A and pre-recorded classes. It’s all about creating a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute and learn.

Keeping It All Organized

Scheduling and Communication

I try to keep the schedule varied to accommodate different time zones. Regular attendees and even those who just drop in sporadically can benefit from this. I use a weekly email newsletter and social media to communicate what’s happening. If someone wants to book a specific room, I manage that through our calendar. This helps keep everything organized and everyone in the loop.

Special Spaces

I’ve set up different rooms for various activities – from hot seats for live questions to designated areas for collaboration. For instance, I might have a presenting area for when I go live or specific seats with name tags for organized sessions. This helps in maintaining order and making sure everyone knows where to go.

Educating and Expanding

Diverse Offerings

I work with a lot of different personalities and professionals. We offer spaces like a show area for marketing, a co-working space for collaboration, and even a consultation room for personalized guidance. Each space is tailored to meet specific needs, whether it’s educating customers on essential oils or building a virtual team.

Encouraging Participation

One of the best things about GoBrunch is how it allows me to engage with my community. Whether through live sessions, social media updates, or newsletters, I’m always communicating what’s happening. The more you share, the more your community grows. It’s about being consistent and clear, so people know what to expect and can join in easily.

Wrapping Up

So, that's a snapshot of my journey from a wanderlust-filled traveler to a settled business owner in Egypt. It’s been about finding the right tools and strategies to keep things running smoothly while still enjoying the freedom to explore. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your online business, I hope my story gives you some inspiration.

Feel free to connect with me on Facebook or LinkedIn if you want to join our community or learn more about what we do. Thanks for reading, and happy travels – wherever your journey may take you!

About the Contributor: Michelle Dale, Founder of Virtual Miss Friday and Creator of 1nSourcing™. Connect on LinkedIn and visit their website.

You can get started at GoBrunch.com