For years, Stephanie Conway worked in advertising for corporations representing manufacturers like Samsung, Audi, and T-Mobile. On the floor, this #girlboss had all of it: economic stability, an enviable Instagram feed, glamorous birthday party invites. But sooner or later, the sleepless nights stuck up with her. So at the age of 28, she stopped her solid profession and decided to switch her desk for a beach and her tea-drinking coworkers for barefoot cohorts.
This digital nomad uses Bali as a domestic base and travels around Southeast Asia, with an Instagram feed that shouts #travelgoals. She has created a digital assistant studio known as Symphony VA, supporting agencies and marketers benefit returned precious time with the aid of outsourcing advertising and administration responsibilities. The purpose? “So they could get returned to doing what they do first-class,” says Conway, who is doing the same together with her very own existence.
Here, Conway tells how she quit the nine to 5 and reinvented not handiest her profession, however, her life.
Criss-Crossing the Pond: I grew up within the U.K., then at 18 were given time-honored into a college in Los Angeles. After commencement, I cherished the weather and lifestyle so much that I cast a career in advertising and occasions. I spent several years operating in L.A. And living my first-class lifestyles. But a demise in the circle of relatives introduced my lower back to the U.K. I controlled to comfy a marketing task in the first week of coming home, however, after dwelling in constant sunshine, the British wintry weather climate slowed me down. I awoke in darkness to go to paintings, then got here home because the solar was placing. I felt like a vampire.
Why Not Me? I worked on campaigns with pinnacle influencers through my task, securing brand partnership offers, helping them make a ton of cash to journey, and be gorgeous. I became constantly watching social feeds filled with lovely virtual nomads living their excellent lives on beaches whilst I was caught in an office with unflattering fluorescent lighting fixtures, losing away. I constantly concept to myself: “Why can’t I be where they are?”
Daydreams: Whenever I’d have a terrible day at work, I’d fantasize about Bali commencing. Eventually, dwelling in steady darkness pushed me over the edge. So I started to discover ways to translate my advertising skillset to operating freelance for small companies and marketers. This would permit me to stay a computer lifestyle and tour everywhere I desired.
Taking the Plunge: I knew that humans would strive to speak me out of it, so I failed to inform absolutely everyone I’d cease till I booked my one-way price ticket to Bali. From the outside looking in, I was involved that what I became doing would appear crazy and irrational. I changed into the maximum apprehensive about informing my mum, but she’d witnessed the burnout going on and knew I wasn’t happy.
My Motivation: I moved to Asia due to the fact I wanted to be free. I desired to wake up every day inside the sunshine. I desired to stay existence on my own terms in a network of supportive friends worldwide. I desired to swim within the ocean, attempting to surf and dive deeper into all aspects of my lifestyle. When you permit pass of societal obstacles, there is the extra room to be who you’re intended to be.
My Travels: Since setting up my company, I have made my manner around special nations within Southeast Asia. My private favorite is the Indonesian archipelago for the pristine beaches and ease of getting admission to clean coconuts. Plus, there’s such a low price of residing, which has allowed me the time and space to develop my corporation authentically and organically.
Finding Community: Traveling around Southeast Asia has taught me plenty of approximately other cultures. I’m continuously overwhelmed by means of the hospitality and kindness of the local community that I meet here. There’s this type of beautiful experience of community that I’ve by no means experienced before. I’ve begun weekly #girlboss meet-usato assist fellow virtual nomads set goals, maintain one another responsible and make new buddies.
Risk Taking: When you go away with something as stable as an ordinary paycheck, you are taking a risk. It’s scary, but you need to believe in yourself and your capacity to build your emblem. I’ve also discovered to be an affected person, as I’ve realized that it takes tough work to create an emblem while trying to live off my touring and advertising passions.
The Appeal of Travel: Travel seems like magic. You in no way understand which it’s going to take you. This magic has sent me to tremendous locations around the arena, and it is addictive. But everybody who is hooked on the identical magic will let you know: When your frame can’t journey, your mind wanders. You can’t belong in one vicinity all the time — your heart genuinely gained’t let you.
