Interviewer: Elisa, let’s start at the beginning. What was life like before the move?
Elisa: I was 26, working full-time for a consultancy firm in Chicago. It was one of those typical 8–5 jobs: stable, decent salary, respected company… but I’d been dreaming of moving abroad for over a year and couldn’t figure out where to start or if I could afford it.

I: What held you back from taking the leap sooner?
E: Mostly fear. And confusion. I didn’t know how to pick the right country, what visas applied to me, or how much I’d need to budget. I spent over $900 on visa agencies and 'nomad coaches', and I still felt totally overwhelmed. It took me nearly four months just to gather enough information to feel like I could start planning.

I: What changed that helped you finally move forward?
E: A friend in a Slack group dropped the link to the Digital Nomad Way Guide. I wasn’t expecting much. But that guide turned out to be everything I needed. For less than $50, it gave me a clear path: how to choose a country, compare visas, estimate real costs, and even included embassy email templates and a free tax calculator.

I: What did you decide to do after reading it?
E: I chose Bali, then cross-checked the visa section and used the country-specific guide for Indonesia. It took me 17 days to resign, book my flight, pack, and move. That guide turned months of stress into two weeks of action.

I: What does your life look like now?
E: I started a freelance consulting business. Today I have 17 active clients, I made $6,400 in revenue last month, and I’m currently hiring my first remote assistant. It’s surreal. I wake up to palm trees and project briefs and I love both.

I: Any advice for someone in the shoes you were once in?
E: Absolutely. Don’t let fear or red tape kill your dream. I wasted months and hundreds of dollars going in circles.
If you’re thinking about going remote, this is the clearest guide out there. Bundle it with the Embassy Templates and a country-specific guide, and you’ll have everything you need.