I’m excited to share my story of transitioning from the hectic world of digital advertising to the more relaxed realm of online entrepreneurship, all unfolding in my forties and fifties. Join me as I take you through the ups and downs, the discoveries, and the triumphs of this adventure.
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The Advertizing Years
Back in 1998, fresh out of university with a degree in economics and marketing, I landed my first job in a small digital advertising agency. It was an exciting time—everyone was still figuring things out in the online world. I worked with amazing teams, top-notch designers, and the creativity in the air was contagious. But it was exhausting. Long hours and weekends were the norm as I moved from agency to agency over the next 12 years, working in Hamburg, Geneva, and London with big clients like Mercedes, BMW, Procter & Gamble, Coca Cola and other big brands.
Looking back, I realized I was changing jobs hoping for a different outcome, but I ended up doing the same thing—working a lot. But I stuck with it because I wasn’t sure what else I could do.
Embracing Change
Eventually, I knew I needed a change. I didn’t want to climb the agency ladder, and I craved more freedom. So, in April 2011, I took a leap and became a freelancer. It was the same work, but I got paid more, avoided office politics, and could take longer breaks. That’s when I rediscovered my passion for traveling. I went on a backpacking trip to Costa Rica and Panama and also on a bunch of yoga retreats. This led to my first online business, a yoga retreat directory named Yowunga.
Bali: The Turning Point
In 2013, a yoga teacher training in Bali became a game-changer. The desire for true location independence was born, transforming Yowunga into a yoga travel blog. As I helped other yoga teachers with their websites and marketing, I launched my first online course, “Yogis Go Digital,” in 2016.
The following year I was traveling back and forth between Germany and Bali, balancing freelancing with my growing online business. In 2019 I finally took the plunge and went fulltime with my thriving online business.
The Pandemic and Growing my Biz
I came back to Hamburg just before the pandemic and the first lockdown and the following months I doubled down creating resources to help yoga teachers moving their businesses online. Not going to lie – my business got a huge push thanks to Covid, but I also had my offers and marketing already in place. I also invested a lot into coaches and masterminds, and it paid off. I finally started to see myself as a ‘real’ business.
Moving to Majorca
My love for traveling didn’t go away and after exploring Europe in my camper van I found my place in Majorca, Spain, and moved there in January 2023. The last months I’ve been settling in here, making new friends, learning the language, and exploring this gorgeous island.
Reflecting on this journey, I want to leave you with a simple piece of advice—embrace change. In the ever-shifting journey of life, following your heart can lead you to new and fulfilling experiences. Thanks for joining me on this adventure. I hope my story inspires you to carve out your path in the online entrepreneurial world.
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