Cape Town-born digital nomad, formerly Head of Marketing & Acquisition for an edtech startup, worked as a marketing analyst for Standard Bank and as the Strategic Ecommerce Manager at Groupon. She has been a nomadic digital lifestyler for two years and started her own business, Work Wanderers, in 2018. The company offers three-week coliving/coworking getaways in various global locations, catering to remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs. The retreats focus on community, discovery, productivity, and giving back. The founder manages the firm and acts as the retreat leader. She also works as a paid media consultant on the side.
One regret is not having taken on consulting clients before quitting her full-time job, as it would have made the transition easier and taken less time. She recommends distributing resources like Facebook community groups to meet others who share your interests and are helpful when traveling.
Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa is her birthplace. Before she left to live as a digital nomad and start her own business, she was the Head of Marketing & Acquisition for an edtech startup.
Before that, she worked as a marketing analyst for Standard Bank, one of the biggest companies in South Africa, and as the Strategic Ecommerce Manager at Groupon.
She periodically took time off to travel, and at one point she became certified as a tour guide since she had always wanted to work in the field.
Learn in the interview how she works remotely, what places are ideal for digital nomads, and how she stays productive when traveling.
How long have you been a digital nomad?
Over the past two years, I have loved living a nomadic digital lifestyle.
What Are The Ways To Make Money As A Digital Nomad?
I started a business in 2018 called Work Wanderers, which I have been growing ever since.
Work Wanderers offers three-week coliving/coworking getaways in various worldwide locales to digital nomads.
Usually accommodating seven to twelve remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, each retreat places a focus on community, discovery, productivity, and giving back.
We take care of all the logistics so that our Wanderers may settle into their new city or island easily and with a sense of community right away.
I run the firm and act as the retreat leader for each retreat in addition to managing a small team.
I like being involved in my business and engaging with other international migrants.
In addition, because of my experience in marketing, I work as a paid media consultant on the side.
What information do you wish you had known before deciding to live remotely?
I always knew I would be broke, but I regret not having taken on consulting clients before quitting my job full-time since it would have made the transition easier and taken less time. It would have been helpful to have an instant clientele.
Distribute A Resource That Every Digital Nomad Needs.
I’ve found that Facebook community groups are a great way to meet others who share your interests and are quite helpful when traveling.
I’m involved with a few of the following organizations:
Women digital nomads
Nomadism Abroad in the Digital Age
A Digital Nomads Forum.
Which component of the digital nomad lifestyle is your favorite?
The chance to travel is certainly a great benefit, but what I value most is meeting people from other parts of the world, getting to know them, learning about their careers, and broadening my global social network.
Which cities, in your opinion, are best for digital nomads?
The area in Bali that I have been to that offers the best quality of life and is most suitable for digital nomads is Canggu.
This is a highly recommended location because of its excellent co-working spaces, hipster and health-conscious eateries and cafés, high-speed internet, moderately cost housing, surfing beaches, and distinct nomad culture.
But I would recommend Cape Town if you’re looking for something a little different.
Beautiful beaches and wineries, chic cafés, a bustling nightlife, and a growing digital nomad culture with over 34 co-working spaces and monthly networking events can all be found in Cape Town, an eclectic city. Being based in Cape Town, I could have some bias.
How many hours a day on average do you work?
I work seven days a week, but I typically put in four hours there.
Depending on my schedule, I can work more than 10 hours on days and barely one on others.
I try to take full use of the freedom it affords, going to the beach or a vineyard on nice days, for example. The importance of doing the job on time is diminished.
How Can One Continue to Be Effective While Traveling?
I regularly use co-working spaces when I travel because they force me to remain focused and productive.
It gives me comfort to see people working hard and modeling their lifestyle when I am surrounded by so many temptations and am always afflicted with FOMO.
Among digital nomads, which device is your favorite?
You must have earbuds while you travel.
I use a program called Pocket to convert any items I want to read later to audio.
I then listen to these to catch up on my “reading” when I’m traveling by train or flight.
Which Has Been Your Biggest Challenge?
With all the challenges involved and the constant worry about sales, this has surely been the most challenging part of managing a business.
I am very happy that I chose this lifestyle; the travel, experiences, and people I have met have made everything worthwhile.
What are your goals for the future?
Long term, I want to grow Work Wanderers to the point where I can travel the world and lead retreats several times a month.
One of the pillars is giving back to local communities, thus my goal is to create a worldwide network of NGOs and non-profits where people may volunteer and raise money.
For further information:
Andrae’s digital nomad getaways are featured on the Work Wanderers website or contact her on LinkedIn.
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