Traveling on $10 a Day to Building a 7-Figure Business with The Broke Backpacker Will Hatton
Dec 12, 2023
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Will Hatton, founder of The Broke Backpacker, shares his journey traveling on $10 a day, hitchhiking in Pakistan and Iran, and building a 7-figure business while living a travel-based lifestyle. He discusses the personal growth benefits of extreme budget travel, managing a business while traveling, and the impact of travelers on local communities in Bali.
Traveling on a small budget builds resilience and self-assurance by overcoming challenges.
Hitchhiking for cultural experiences cultivates connections and gratitude towards humanity.
Balancing business success with mental health requires setting boundaries and disconnecting for personal well-being.
Deep dives
Experience and Growth Through Uncomfortable Situations
Pushing boundaries and facing uncomfortable situations led to personal growth and increased self-confidence. Traveling on a small budget, especially in challenging places like India, taught the speaker that they can handle difficult situations and emerge stronger on the other side.
Hitchhiking: Serendipitous Connections and Cultural Insights
Hitchhiking provided the speaker with unique cultural experiences, connecting with generous and hospitable locals in countries like Pakistan and Iran. The serendipitous nature of hitchhiking led to unexpected encounters, diverse conversations, and a greater appreciation for humanity.
Balancing Online Business Success and Mental Health
Building a successful online business to seven figures required significant screen time, leading to addiction to affirmation. Implementing strategies like two phones for work-life balance, disconnecting from social media, and taking breaks without a laptop helped prioritize mental health and personal well-being alongside business success.
The Journey of Building The Broke Backpacker
Starting the site as a diary and eventually attracting media attention through unique travel experiences, the host shared the challenging journey of growing The Broke Backpacker from humble beginnings. Working hard, sacrificing comfort, and learning about SEO and affiliate marketing were key elements in scaling up the business.
Balancing Online Business Growth with Community Collaboration
Reflecting on the impact of the hospitality industry for digital nomads on local communities, the podcast delves into the importance of responsible collaboration and cultural integration. Highlighting efforts to involve locals, foster community initiatives, and ethically manage growth, the discussion emphasizes the need for sustainable development in tourism hotspots like Bali.
Today, I’m joined by Will Hatton to hear about his adventures traveling the world on $10 a day and how that led to the creation of one of the world’s largest travel blogs, The Broke Backpacker.
Will has been traveling the world for 15 years, launching nine different businesses during that time. As a serial entrepreneur and founder of The Broke Backpacker, he’s passionate about showing that travel is possible no matter your budget, as long as you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone.
In this episode, Will talks about why his solo trip through India was so transformative in creating a life of travel, his experience hitchhiking in Pakistan and Iran (and marrying the girl he met on the road), and why extreme budget travel in far-flung lands is the ultimate tool for personal development. We talk about the realities of what it took for him to build his blog to seven figures while living a travel-based lifestyle, his most recent project opening Bali’s first custom-designed and built coworking and coliving hostel, and, of course, plenty of advice and lessons around budget travel and business.
Would you travel the world on $10 a day? I'd love to hear your thoughts and hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message.
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Tune In To Learn:
The story of his unconventional marriage (and divorce), converting to Islam, and what he took away from the experience
How his journey through India kickstarted his life of travel and what it taught him about the ability to reinvent yourself
Why he wrote a manifesto and why it’s important to write down your values (+ two values you may want to adopt yourself)
The serendipitous nature of hitchhiking and what it taught him about kindness
His advice for traveling on a small budget + the mindset you need to adopt
Why he’s frustrated with the term “begpackers”
The rollercoaster ride of building The Broke Backpacker and advice for moving the needle in your business
How he balances using his craft for creative release vs. growing his business
Why opening a hostel allowed him to counterbalance his online work and how they’re partnering with the local community to make a positive impact