In the sixth episode of the Live Limitless podcast I chat with Nora Dunn from www.theprofessionalhobo.com.
Nora owned her own successful financial planning business in Toronto, Ontario before deciding she simply wanted more out of life. She wanted to experience the world and dive into new cultures. After all, life is short and we only get one shot at it. She took a giant leap and sold her business back in 2006 and has been traveling full-time (and working from the road) ever since.
Nora Dunn writes about how to travel full-time in a financially sustainable way, how to build a business from a laptop, how to find free accommodation, and so much more . Nora is also a regular contributor to Wisebread and co-wrote the book; 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget. She is originally from Canada but is currently living it up on the small island of Grenada.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What made her want to sell her lucrative business,
- Some of the steps she took to begin her new life of travel and online business,
- Whether travel writing is a good option for aspiring digital nomads,
- Some of her biggest challenges with living an “unconventional” life,
- What she has learned since embarking on her new journey,
- and much more…
Listen below or download from iTunes.
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If your running short on time;
(1:12): What made her want to quit her lucrative “career” and sell her business
(3:20): What types of reactions she got from friends, family, and clients
(5:24): What were some of her first steps she took to get started on a path to full-time travel
(7:16): Whether she had second thoughts
(8:11): How long before she started to make money online
(10:36): Whether she thinks travel writing is still a good option for aspiring digital nomads
(12:56): Biggest challenges she has had since beginning her unconventional life
(15:36): Best things she has learned since embracing her new life
(18:55): Some of her favourite travel destination as of now
(22:00): Her advice for someone wanting to do something adventurous with their life but feels scared
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Hope you enjoyed this interview with Nora Dunn. Please leave a review at iTunes and/or share with your friends.
Want more inspiration to live limitless? Check out this one with Jacob Sokol.
Great interview Matt. I’ve been reading and following Nora’s journey (blog) for a while and it’s great to put her voice, her face and her work all together now. Thank you Matt for all the interviews you’ve done so far. They are all really inspiring and with tons of valuable information. Look forward to learning more from you and others.
Thanks Ruth. That means a lot. Very happy you find the interviews useful. Are you in Canada?
I’m in Olympia, Washington State in US. I love driving up to Canada whenever I can. Last Christmas, I worked on a sheep farm in Vacouver Island, BC with a HelpX family and had a great time. Although it’s just a tiny step toward my dream to live a location independent lifestyle one day, this experience has really opened my eyes and buildt up my confidence. Thanks again for everything, Matt.
Wow, that sounds like a cool experience. I worked on a sheep farm as well in Australia. It’s my cousins farm though, so it was a different experience all together. Are you making your way to Oregon for World Domination Summit?
Thanks for the great interview, Matt! And thank you Ruth, for your ongoing support and readership.
Cheers!
I live only two hours from Portland, but unfortunately, I’m not able to attend the WDS this year. I have watched all the videos from last year. So amazing. I look forward to reading all about it on your blog if you’re going to be there this year!
Nora is the only travel writer I follow. It was great to hear her answer questions and give real-life feedback about her experiences. Makes me want to go to Grenada and hang out with her 🙂
Hi Matt,
I am in Finchley London UK, caring for Ruben a dog and his owners home. I will be here all told three weeks and then three nights in Gatwick ( purely because it is where I will be flying from to Nederland ) doing airbnb with an obliging host who will pick me up and drop me off where I need to go. breakfast included. I sat for an English couple and family’s pets and home in Hoofddorp near Amsterdam Nederland and they also do airbnb, I can vouch for their accommodation as I was in the room they rent out. I cared for 2 delightful Beagles, a cat and four lizards, one of whom I had showers with as he is also an Aussie, Eastern Water Dragon. the other three are Leopard Geckos.
I will have another sit in Nederland not 30 minutes from my birthplace Castricum North Holland. I will be in a very old Dutch farm house with all the modern cons of course! and caring for two cats. The young owner’s dad is getting a bike road worthy for me.
I then return to the UK and sit in Malmesbury, near where all the period and Harry Potter movies have been filmed and then to Manchester and then return to Malmesbury with Geisha the cat. I love the Cotswolds. I will have two weeks that I want to spend in York and also some time in Devon at my friends old pub the Fox and Hounds. Then back to Oz to begin a re- peat sit in Rye Victoria with Dudley and Maggie.
I am actually booked until early October next year (2014), with just a few weeks free here and there. Mainly in Victoria south east, but will fly up to Brisbane ( driving owners car) to a sit that when I do sit there was booked 18 months ahead!
Two TV stations current affair programs have interviewed me about my life, homeless, happy and unemployed and what a life. people ask what will I do when I can’t do this any longer, my answer , I will be cremated – so no problem, I will join the winds and travel on and forever.
love my life and at nearly 62 I am leaving a legacy of nothing more that love and caring for others and their pets and belongings. God provides me as he does the birds in the trees and the animals on the land with all I need, I just have to be open to his gifts.
Love and Peace
Francien