• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Professional Hobo

Traveling full-time in a financially sustainable way

  • ABOUT
  • BLOG
  • DESTINATIONS MAP
  • TRAVEL STUFF
  • CONTACT
  • BOOKS/COURSES

Financial Case Study: Natalie Sisson, Suitcase Entrepreneur

Last Updated: September 19, 2020

Financial Case Study: Natalie Sisson, Suitcase Entrepreneur

Natalie Sisson is a #1 bestselling author, podcaster, speaker and adventurer who believes everybody has the right to choose freedom in business and adventure in life. She’s on a mission to ensure 1,000,000+ entrepreneurs do just that by 2020 over at the Suitcase Entrepreneur.

Born in New Zealand, Natalie has built her multiple six figure business from her laptop over the last five years while living out of her suitcase, traveling to 70 countries and showing others how to build a profitable online freedom business that supports their ideal lifestyle through her definitive Freedom Plan program.

Read on to see the inner workings of Natalie’s career and business in this fascinating Financial Case Study.

In this series, we’re exploring the various careers of world travelers, and how they make ends meet financially while living abroad. Yes, financially sustainable full-time travel is possible!

This post was originally published in 2015. It has since been updated for accuracy of links and content.

How long have you been living/working on the road, and where have you traveled to?

5 years. 69 countries and counting (from when I was a toddler) and probably around 40 since my business started.

Please describe what you do for income.

I sell freedom. I show and teach people how to find their sweet spot, monetize themselves and create a business that supports their ideal lifestyle.

I have around six revenue streams that support my business and community.

How many hours per week do you work on average?

Depends on if I’m launching or exploring the world. Anywhere from 15-45. Typically around 20-25.

How much money do you make?

When I first started I made something like $16K in my first year in business and that was after making nothing for six months and going broke. The next year I made closer to $90K and in 2012 I broke the six figure mark. This year I’m on track for multiple six figures. The bulk of that income comes from my Freedom Plan Program, and then digital product sales. I’m sure my new Freedom Collective community membership will start to become influential soon too as a revenue stream.

Outside of this there’s my book, speaking and sponsorship, plus referral partner revenue.

Do you make enough money to support your lifestyle?

Absolutely. I’m a minimalist so I don’t really buy stuff but I spend money on experiences, travel, friends, family and my team as well as investing in me and personal growth.

What is your vision for the future of your lifestyle on the road?

Actually it’s changing since coming home to be with my Dad in hospital. It was all quite sudden but it’s flipped my perspective on sticking around and making a home base in New Zealand to spend quality time with family, be there for my parents and enjoy freedom in one place. I will still travel but my digital nomadic style has changed for now to spending more time in fewer places and creating a community on the ground as well as virtually.

Any advice for the aspiring traveler about living and working on the road and managing finances?

I’d say it’s smart to get a good handle on your basic daily living costs and a budget in place that you feel happy with – that’s not too restrictive so that it doesn’t take the fun out of those travel splurges you should make in those special moments.

If you’re looking at living your ideal lifestyle then consider how much you want to earn to support that and then set about making it happen – not by working harder but by creating more revenue streams to make it a reality and repurposing what you already have and have created where possible.

Sharing is Caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Filed Under: Financial Case Studies

About the Author: As a former CFP (Certified Financial Planner), Nora Dunn traveled full-time for over 12 years. She is an expert in remote work, long-term travel, financially sustainable lifestyle travel, and much more. She is a celebrated author, speaker, writer, coach, and YouTuber. Read More…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Izy Berry says

    November 9, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    I love this post !! you are an example to me !!

    Reply
    • Nora Dunn says

      November 9, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      Hey Izy,
      I know! I adore Natalie. She’s awesome!

      Reply
  2. Steve says

    February 24, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    I’m sure she is amazing and maybe I’m just a bit jaded, but why do the most successful lifestyle businesses seem to be people running business which make their moeny from teaching others how to create a lifestyle business.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

WELCOME!

This site is part travel tales, and part lifestyle travel tips.

Check out my free Travel Lifestyle Guides to answer all the questions you have about your own travel journey!

I'm Nora Dunn. I traveled the world full-time for 12 years, and I still travel for half the year (pandemics notwithstanding).
Expert on long-term travel, personal finance (as a former CFP), remote work, and lifestyle design.
If there's a high-adrenaline activity, I've probably done it. Weird food? Eaten it. Former shaman's apprentice. Always an actor/singer/dancer. Professional speaker. All that. And more…

Get Free Accommodation

how to get free accommodation around the world

Here’s Where I Get Almost All My Clothes:



Use the discount code NORA20 for $20 off orders of $120 or more!

To Maximize Your Free Credit Card Travel Rewards, I Recommend:



buy hats at wholesale price on dhgate for travel

Search

Categories

Before Footer

Nora Dunn The Professional Hobo Featured in Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, MSN Money, Yahoo, Lonely Planet, Wise Bread, Business Insider, and many more

Footer

About This Website

The Professional Hobo is about how to travel full-time in a financially sustainable way, as experienced since 2006 by Nora Dunn, former financial planner and current world traveler/writer.

  • Writing Portfolio & Speaking Credits
  • Contact
  • FAQs
  • Travel Resources
  • Web Stories

Follow Me!

Copyright © 2009-2021 TheProfessionalHobo.com. All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this blog. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Privacy Policy: While you may rest assured that we at The Professional Hobo are not using your information for evil purposes, here is everything you need to know about our Privacy Policy.