Going Nomad: How I Built a Startup While Full-Time Traveling

It has become something of a ritual for me to end the year with a retrospective on my startup journey. And so it will be in 2021.

Last year, I talked about my experience launching a startup during COVID. And how we quit our jobs right before the first lockdown in March 2020.

I think most self-employed can relate to the struggle of 2020. But I also believe that those who have made it through have come back even stronger than before.

So 2021, here we go. Let me look back at my second year of entrepreneurship.

How we went from fundraising to bootstrapping with bikematch

2021 started with investor talks, pitches for accelerator programs and meetings with big corporates. We gave newspaper interviews and attended podcasts, talked to business angels, VCs and governmental start-up funds.

Spoiler: Most of these meetings were a waste of time.

#1 The Fundraising Way

When we started our company, I was convinced that things must happen in the following order:

1. Have a vision
2. Raise the funds
3. Build the business

What I actually learned is, that this is not necessarily the best way.

Doing so you might end up spending most of your time in preparing the next pitch or pimping up the finance plan for the next meeting. Time you could’ve invested in building your business. And in most cases, these meetings don’t really lead to anything of value.

#2 The Bootstrapping Way

So my learning here is, that sometimes bootstrapping is the much better strategy:

1. Have a vision
2. Build the business
3. If necessary, raise the funds for scaling the proven business model

We’re not trying to become the next Instagram. Rather, we want to build a solid small business. So this is the right path for us.

How I gave up my home to go all-in on remote work

Since 2020, we’ve all discovered a new way of working. And we learned about the benefits.

Likewise, many companies have identified remote as an opportunity.

Need some examples?

• Cost reduction
• Provide a better work-life balance
• Access a global pool of talent
• And perhaps the most important: Survival. Because I’m sure that soon hardly anyone will choose an employer who doesn’t support remote

I definitely saw it as an opportunity and was eager to learn more about the possibilities. How far could I go?

Since we launched our company during the pandemic, remote-first was our default anyway. But in 2020, it meant working from home.

So I decided to go one step further: From »work-from-home« to »work-from-anywhere«.

From #workfromhome to #workfromanywhere

#1 What I learned as a digital nomad in Barcelona

My first stop on this remote journey was Barcelona.

What I learned? It doesn’t matter where you set-up your home office as long as you get things done.

Barcelona is laid back. The infrastructure for remote workers is great. And let’s be honest, it just makes a difference to stroll through the small alleys after work, to enjoy a cerveza or two or just admire the scenery.

#2 Remote work and the summer vibes of Berlin

Next was Berlin. Compared to other German cities, Berlin has a different vibe.

I think that’s mainly because it brings together people form all over the world. For many, Berlin is just another stop on their journey.

It makes the city much more open-minded, international and provides a certain creative and energetic drive that transfers to you and your work.

#3 What it’s like to be a digital nomad in Thailand

My last stop in 2021 and the place where I am writing this right now is Thailand.

On my remote work journey, I had to make a final check in the box: Working in a different time zone. So I’m spending the last quarter of this exciting year in Thailand.

Most of the time in Bangkok, but also in Phuket & Chiang Mai.

I know some people do, but Thailand can’t be reduced to stereotypes. It’s freaking diverse.

But one thing I noticed: People are essentially laid back and optimistic. And somehow you absorb this attitude: just don’t worry, everything’s gonna be alright.

What I learned in a year of working remote-only

It’s that easy: Remote is here to stay.

Results are better and achieved in less time than with on-site models. This is even true for creative activities that require intensive collaboration.

But there are some requirements.

4 important requirements to master remote work

• Rethink collaboration principles, such as adopting asynchronous communication patterns
• Use the right tools
• Be open to change and try new things
• Be aware that there is a shift of skillsets, e.g. the ability to capture information in written text becomes more important than Powerpoints

The ugly sides of being a digital nomad

Of course there are downsides as well. I work a lot. Being a Digital Nomad is definitely not comparable with holidays. There is not much time for sightseeing or further activities that others associate with traveling.

Due to the time difference, it can regularly happen that meetings take place until midnight. Whether you accept that or not is a very personal decision.

For me, the opportunity to align my personal and professional goals definitely outweigh the disadvantages.

I’m always happy to discuss and share my experiences regarding our remote-only company setup. So feel free to connect and drop me a message.

How we relaunched horyzn.io and won our first 3 clients

Let’s be honest: When I quit my job in 2019, I was fed up with the automotive industry.

I wanted to do something completely different, explore new horizons and challenge myself.

And I have to admit that I was also a little resigned to the slow pace of change in Germany. It sometimes felt like a whole lot of people were working to preserve the past. Blocking out reality instead of shaping the future.

2 Factors that triggered a fundamental change in the automotive industry in Germany

Since then, there have been 2 major events that caused a massive rethink:

• COVID marked the end of “we’ve always done it this way.” Things just had to change. And good decision-makers took this as an opportunity to kickstart real progress.
• Tesla outperformed the market capitalization of all the legacy carmakers combined. In the past they were questioned: Their focus on software and AI, a simple product structure without too many bells and whistles, and of course, e-mobility. Now, their principles can’t be ignored anymore.

How we transformed freelance gigs into a business

I have to admit that my fingers were itching to participate in shaping this change.

So we started taking on a few freelance gigs in the industry. Combining our background in marketing, sales and service at Audi & Mercedes with our experience as startup founders and remote work practitioners turned out to be a good mix in the new world.

Those who’ve been following my story so far, know that this was actually the initial idea of our startup journey. We called it horyzn.

The company has since evolved into a boutique consultancy for digital opportunities in the mobility and automotive space.

Just recently, we won our third mandate and now count 3 well-known brands as our clients.

Roads were made for journeys not destinations

It’s funny. Sometimes you do the right things at the wrong time. Sometimes good ideas just need some time to develop. And sometimes it takes a few detours to find the right path.

But all the detours have brought us to where we are now. We have found our path.

And now we have two pillars in the mobility sector: bikematch & horyzn.io.

Being self-employed is hard, it’s a constant up and down and you have to face many setbacks.

You will make plans and they will prove wrong. You will put your trust in people and they will let you down. These things will happen. 100% certain.

How I manage to enjoy this ride, even if it’s bumpy sometimes

So how do you face these challenges while keeping your smile and enjoying the ride?

For me, it’s doing something I’m really passionate about without sacrificing personal fulfillment.

And this means always expanding my horizons, learning new things and discovering new places and cultures. While simply having fun in the process.

There are so many challenges ahead. Our pivot with bikematch is just getting started. We rebooted horyzn. The world is fundamentally changing. There is a radical mindset shift in the way we work and do business. The Internet is evolving from Web2 to Web3.

We are living in exciting times. There is a lot to do. Let’s get to work!

The road ahead

First of all: Thanks for reading this far. I really appreciate it.

2021 was another exciting year. And it has once again proven to me that taking the step into self-employment was one of the best decisions of my life.

I’ll end like last year: The future is still uncertain. I have no idea how things will develop in 2022. Which plans will prove wrong this time? But I’m ready to find out.

If you’re interested in joining our journey, get in touch:

• Jobs: Currently we’re looking for our first two teammates at horyzn.io
• Partners & Freelancers: We’re always interested in expanding our network of partners and freelancers in the digital mobility space and beyond
• Consulting & Talks: We’re offering consulting, workshops and talks on remote work and digital and data-driven opportunities in the mobility space

Just drop me a line.

Until then, so long & keep your eyes on the horyzn.