Welcome to the Business Mindset Style Podcast, a show for women in business who want to make an impact, grow a profitable online business, and live a rich life filled with freedom and fulfillment. I'm Nina Walder, your host, and I can't wait to dive into today’s episode.
This episode is special and personal. I’ve never done something like this before, but I love it when podcasters share personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and life updates. So today, I want to share some personal things about me that most people probably don’t know.
A Day in the City That Sparked Reflection
Yesterday, I went into town with my husband. We live outside the city now, but we used to live right in the center. I grew up in a big city and loved the convenience of having everything within walking distance. But at some point, I craved more nature and space—and we wanted a dog—so we moved.
When we went into the city yesterday, we kept running into people we knew. It was such a fun and unexpected experience. First, we met friends at our favorite brunch spot. Then, while picking up a matcha, we bumped into a couple I had met five years ago in a coworking space in Valencia during COVID.
At the time, there were very few people in the space because of strict lockdowns, so naturally, we all got to know each other. We hadn’t spoken since then, but yesterday, we caught up and learned they are now organizing an event in Alicante for online entrepreneurs and digital nomads. They even encouraged me to apply as a speaker, which got me thinking about my whole entrepreneurial journey.
My Digital Nomad Beginnings
I was a digital nomad for the first few years of my entrepreneurial journey. My husband (then boyfriend) and I lived in Asia for a few years, spending time in Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand.
When my old friends suggested I speak at their event about digital marketing, content growth, and getting clients on Instagram, I realized how much experience I had to share. It prompted me to reflect on how my journey began.
From Corporate to Entrepreneurship
In 2011, I earned my master’s degree in business while studying in Brazil. That’s where I met my husband. After graduation, we traveled through South America—Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Colombia—and did incredible multi-day hikes. It was one of the best times of my life.
After traveling, I got a corporate job in Germany in marketing, and my husband worked in France. We maintained a long-distance relationship until we moved to Switzerland together.
I had a great job—one that many would consider a dream opportunity for someone fresh out of university. But I quickly realized I didn’t want my boss’s job or to stay within the confines of corporate bureaucracy. Something inside me told me that wasn’t my path.
When my contract ended, I hesitated for a moment but then thought, If not now, when? I had no kids, no mortgage, no debt, and some savings. So, I decided to launch my first business.
The Challenges of Starting Out
In 2013, I started a business in the graduate admissions niche. But back then, resources were scarce. There was no ChatGPT, and even YouTube had limited guidance on online business. Despite my business degree, starting a one-woman online business was a completely different challenge.
To bridge the gap, I enrolled in an online business course, which cost $2,000—a significant investment for me at the time. It wasn’t personalized, but it provided a structured path and a supportive community.
The Life-Changing YouTube Video
One day, while browsing the course’s Facebook group, I saw a fellow student post a YouTube video about leaving corporate America to move to Bali. I watched it and immediately knew—I wanted to do the same.
The lush nature, the sense of freedom, the ability to work from a laptop while overlooking rice fields—it resonated deeply with me. I was so excited to tell my boyfriend about it. Luckily, he shared my passion for travel and adventure.
At the time, I was running my business and making enough money to sustain myself, but my husband was working in private equity in Geneva. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with his job, either. We both realized we didn’t want to spend our prime years in a routine that didn’t excite us.
We asked ourselves: If not now, when? We had no major commitments, so we made the leap.
Moving to Bali
Selling our furniture, finding a tenant for our apartment, and quitting jobs wasn’t easy, but we knew it was what we wanted. In June 2014, just before my birthday, we arrived in Bali.
Back then, Bali wasn’t the digital nomad hub it is today. There was only one coworking space in Ubud with reliable WiFi, so that’s where we went. It turned out to be the best decision ever because we instantly met like-minded entrepreneurs. Unlike in Switzerland, where we felt alone in our journey, in Bali, everyone around us was on a similar path.
We initially thought we’d stay for a few months and return if things didn’t work out. But we quickly got hooked on the lifestyle—the rich experiences, the community, the incredible people we met. After Bali, we spent a year in Vietnam and later moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, another digital nomad hotspot.
Lessons from My Journey
Looking back, this journey shaped everything about my life and business. When I met my old friends yesterday and learned about their summit, I felt deeply connected to my experiences. I realized I had so much to share.
If you’re considering an online business or a different lifestyle, I want you to know—it’s possible. You don’t need to move to Asia to do it, but if you’ve been looking for a sign, here it is. You can figure it out. Nowadays, resources and support systems are everywhere, making it easier than ever.
Start small. You don’t have to quit your job right away, but you can begin building something on the side. Once you start making steady income—say, $5,000 per month—you can think about making it your full-time career.
Where I Am Today
After a few years in Asia, we moved back to Europe. We lived in Austria, spent a year in the Canary Islands, and then settled between Valencia, Spain, and Switzerland.
I’m incredibly grateful for the time and financial freedom I built by prioritizing my business and setting up sustainable systems.
Final Thoughts
I hope this personal episode gave you insight into my journey. If you enjoyed it, I’d love to hear from you—send me a message on Instagram and let me know if you like these personal updates.
Next time, I’ll be sharing Part 2 of Turning Followers into Buyers—where I’ll guide you on creating content that not only grows your Instagram but also converts followers into paying clients.
Have a fantastic week, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!
— Nina
