From Travel Business to Digital Nomad: My 5-Year Journey with ETA Girl Friday

kristie • October 9, 2024

From Travel Business to Digital Nomad: My 5-Year Journey with ETA Girl Friday

Wow, I can’t believe ETA Girl Friday is now 5 years old!


A lot has happened in that 5 years and I won’t lie I certainly am now where I thought I would be now.


I thought this would be a good opportunity to share my journey so far. October 2019 I was building a Travel Business as part of a franchise with my Mum and successfully running a local networking group Network and Thrive with Vicky Jones.


Although my Dad had been saying for ages I should’ve become a VA with all my Admin background, it was at this time I was being praised for the smooth running of Network and Thrive and this should be part of my business offer.

Adapting to the Pandemic

I took this idea and thought I would like to provide support to business trainers with their in-person workshops.


Martin Evans was to be my first client, and we got to work. The first session was to be on the 8th April 2020, as I am sure you will all remember what happened that year meaning no workshop and like many changes had to happen.


At this point it was time to make the decision to close my travel business and rethink ETA Girl Friday. So, I started to offer general admin support, like many I had a wobble but thankfully I had a supportive network around me.


I didn’t waste any time in getting my network meeting online to keep fellow local business owners connected. I also went ahead and created an online coffee hour open to all to attend. I made it my mission to keep people connected however I could while we couldn’t meet in person.


I hosted my Dad’s 70th Birthday party over Zoom, hosted a Network Birthday celebration online where those who booked early enough got to enjoy cake.  I also attended a lot of events and finally saw how I could help.


I had gone from not liking video calls, to being on them most days and meetings so many wonderful people.

Finding my Niche

Confidence has been a big hurdle for me to overcome alongside health issues, but in 2021 I made the decision to focus on supporting online meetings and workshops as a Zoom Producer. I am pleased to say in May that year I gained work with a Global Training Company doing just this.


Yes, I have made it, it has been great working alongside them and still do every now and then. I have worked with some great clients and even had an American client at one point.


2022 I created the Zoom Power Hour to support those businesses that were not ready for my full support but could do with some help with tools and tips for a smoother online session.

Embracing Change

Fast forward to 2023 I had the opportunity to speak at a global International Women’s Day event, then summer 2023 another curveball comes my way, I am given 6 months to move out of my house, after living there for 12 years.


What do I do now?


It was time for another big change and my dad suggested I become a Digital Nomad. Really!!!


But one night I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, and I decided yes, I could do this.


So, from that moment onwards I was talking to everyone I met about this for ideas, to come up with a plan of how I can do this. While busy sorting and selling stuff to be ready for a move in January 2024.


Finally, I had the plan, I will travel around the UK, House and Pet Sitting alongside ETA Girl Friday taking the opportunity wherever I go to meet up with those I had met online.


I am pleased to say this has been a great addition to what I do and took on my first Pet sit just 2 days after moving out. I now have things that I love to do host Networking Events, support online workshops and look after lots of loveable pets.


I should add I travel by Public Transport and people thought I was crazy, after recovering from the move which took a while it has been amazing year and I look forward to the next 5 years.


 I couldn’t have got here without my fabulous parents and amazing support network.


Thank you :x)


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