Internet marketing gurus love to talk about the lifestyle that web-based businesses make possible. Work from anywhere. Make millions from a hammock on the beach. Set your own schedule. It sounds amazing, and I understand the appeal. But in my experience, the reality is more nuanced and more interesting than the fantasy.
The Day Job Advantage
I came to internet marketing from a different angle than most. I already had a career I loved as an engineer at a technology company. My online business was a side project, built one night at a time after the family was in bed. Some people saw the day job as a limitation. I saw it as an asset.
One of the unexpected benefits of maintaining a day job while building an online business was the exposure to experiences I never would have had otherwise. A business trip to Asia put me in Clarke Quay, Singapore — a historic riverside district named after Singapore's second Governor — eating chile crab at a restaurant called Jumbo Seafood.
Chile Crab and Tiger Beer
Clarke Quay sits upstream from the mouth of the Singapore River, near the world-famous Boat Quay. It is one of those places where history and modern dining culture collide beautifully. The signature dish of the area is chile crab — a whole crab swimming in spicy, tangy chile sauce that is considered one of Singapore's national dishes.
I have eaten food all over the world, and I would put that chile crab up against any seafood anywhere. Paired with Tiger Beer, which is local to Singapore and perfectly crisp, it was one of those meals you remember for decades. Like all alcohol in Singapore, Tiger Beer is expensive — but some experiences are worth the price.
Travel, Food, and the Business Mindset
Singapore itself was not what I expected. Most Asian cities I had visited were wonderful in distinctly Asian ways. Singapore was wonderful in every sense — a multicultural city shaped by Chinese and British influences, impossibly clean and safe, with incredible shopping, world-class food, and friendly people. The fact that signs were in English was a bonus for someone whose Mandarin was nonexistent.
Sitting in that restaurant, eating incredible food in an amazing city, I started dreaming about what would happen if my online business really took off. What if I could live this kind of experience whenever I wanted, not just when my employer sent me on a trip? At that exact moment — right as I was imagining being acquired by Google — my phone rang with a work crisis back in the States.
Reality has a way of interrupting your daydreams at the worst possible moment.
What Travel Teaches Online Entrepreneurs
That Singapore trip taught me something important about building an online business. The travel food lifestyle that marketing gurus sell is real, but it is earned through years of consistent work, not through a single product launch or viral moment. The people I know who truly work from anywhere built that freedom gradually, one system and one revenue stream at a time.
More importantly, travel gives you perspective that makes you a better entrepreneur. Experiencing different cultures, different business practices, and different ways of living broadens your thinking in ways that sitting at your desk never can. Some of my best business ideas have come while exploring unfamiliar cities, not while staring at analytics dashboards.
I eventually did go back to Singapore. And by then, the online business was paying for the trip.
Looks like you had an awesome time. These are very nice pics. You should open up a Flickr account if you travel on business often and have the opportunity to take time for pics.
Where’s the pics of the airplanes and the airport!!! Grrrr I need material for my other blog, The Airplane Blog, ya know!!! LOL!!!
Yep — I know. Flickr has been on my ToDo list for some time. thanks for the comment, Garry.
I know, I know. I took airplane pics. There are on my friend’s camera. Will get them out this weekend.
Mark…
Next time you drop over… PLEASE
call me up to join you for the chili crab.
I’m in Singapore and would love to
hang out. Yes, I have a day job
too and my assignments are usually
around Asia and / or Europe.
Please… do not forget me next time
you are in Singapore.
I’d love to meet another fellow
IM’er. 😉
Have a great weekend,
Vern
Vern — That would be great! I cannot wait to come back, and would love to hang out.
Hi Mark,
Great to know that you are in town and love the place. I am a Singaporean and even though I’ve traveled quite a fair bit, I still love the tropical climate, great transport network and growing night life here, very cosmopolitan.
Apart from Chilli Crabs, we have authentic local foods like satay (marinated tender kebabs), laksa (creamy coconuty noodles), barbequed stingray a lots more! I am already salivating..
And have you been to Sentosa yet? It’s one of the very happening off-islands oozing with fun, food and entertainment as well.
btw, are you a FormulaOne Fanatic? Singapore, the little red dot is finally hosting its very first (and the world’s first Asia’s) night racing in Sept 08.
Next time you are in town, let me know.
FI racing is cool, but I am not really much of a fan. I will be sure to drop you a line next time I am there (Dec maybe).
Mark
Sure thing. Looking forward.
first time come here all feel it is nice. actually Singapore food is not so good. if you compare with other city or country food. Singapore food really nothing. if you eat Yangcheng crabs ,you can not like to eat Chile Crab. and Singapore is a boring country. small and hot. People more Ugly than other city. can not compare with Hongkong.
Good Day!
I would like to thank you for sharing this article. I hope to find more updates on your site soon. Once again, thanks and God Bless You.
Dave Dauber