Monique in Venice Courtesy of Monique Wise
We love inspiring stories from amazing people across the globe who are doing great things. This week’s feature focuses Monique Wise, the woman behind @wanderlustmyway, is a Budget Consultant and Digital Content Creator. She strongly believes that life isn’t meant to be lived in one place and her mission is to prove just that. Monique works hard at Wanderlust, My Way to find additional travel income in your budget so that you can travel too.
Who is Monique Wise?
Being born and raised in Washington, DC the best job one could get was either in the government or involving politics. Once I abruptly left my cushy government job and moved to New York, government work was no longer a viable option. I applied for job after job just hoping that the salary was good enough to help pay down debt, and that I had the freedom to travel. I had always been documenting my travels but one day it dawned on me to make it “official” and I realized I could do more with it. I wanted to be the inspiration for others that I never really had. I wanted to share the “secrets” and not be a travel elitist who only cares about making others jealous versus teaching people how they can do it too. I’m just a human with an incurable case of wanderlust that wants to spread the travel bug to others. You can find me all over the world working, relaxing, or just exploring.
What is Wanderlust My Way?
www.WanderlustMyWay.com started as a place for me to document my various travels but has turned into, and was always meant to be, so much more. It is where you can find cheap travel tips and hacks in addition to getting personal budgets tailored to your travel needs and goals. I always knew that I wanted to create a business centered around travel but it took a lot of thought and effort to make that dream a reality.
What made you leap forward to make the first step to becoming an entrepreneur?
Would you believe I feel as though I was born to be a leader? I’ve never felt comfortable working for others and don’t agree with much of traditional company culture. I’m the difficult employee that questions everything and is always aiming to work smarter, nor harder. With my own business I can do things the way I like, versus following someone else’s rules. It was apparent that if I wanted to “work” and be 100% happy, I would need to work for myself.
How did you know this is what you wanted to do for sure?
It’s may sound weird or it may be a familiar story, but I never got to travel as a child. Growing up in Washington, DC a lot of people get stuck and never realize there’s an entire world outside of the four quadrants, but it only made me want to see what’s out there. I never felt like I could sit still and stay in one place for the rest of my life. Now I live in New York and have 9 countries under my belt, 6 more on the itinerary for this year and many more to come. Travel is my life and once I found out just how easy, and cheap, it really is, I knew I had to share it with the world.
So after getting set up, what were the setbacks and what did you do to improve?
My only setback is having the time to wear so many hats. In addition to running my company, I also freelance write for others, travel, and still try to make time for family and friends. I’ve learned to automate tasks and delegate responsibilities so that I don’t have to do every little thing. Someone can run my social media while another can schedule posts. Before I travel I make sure everything is good to go in my absence or if that’s impossible I set aside time abroad for work but don’t let it overshadow my trip. I can’t stress time management enough.
Do you have any featured products, sales, promotions, launches, etc? Tell us about them and what inspired them?
I have some exciting new products and services that’ll be launching in time for Summer ’16, but at the moment I’m focusing on assisting fellow and would-be travelers with managing their budget so that they have money to travel. Until I had a sound budget I was traveling only two or three times a year at best, which is minuscule for what I’m able to do now that I have a set and strict budget. My budget packages cater to those who just need to see their income and expenses laid out in front of them, those who are ready to be put on a savings plans, and those who need everything including assistance in planning their trip. There’s something for everyone.
Why do people think they don’t have money to travel?
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say they can’t afford to travel or it isn’t in their budget, but then they’ll go to a $50 brunch or buy a $100 pair of pants. This happens all too often. Even if you don’t want to give up shopping or eating out, I’ll factor that into your budget and guarantee that we will find additional income that can be put towards travel. The money is there, you just have to decide what you want to do with it.
What is your advice to people having a fear of launching their own business?
I strongly believe that entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone so starting a business isn’t something to take lightly. A lot of time, hard work, energy, and effort go into running a business so if you can’t give 110%, don’t even bother. Time management is extremely important. I find myself forgetting about post ideas or even deadlines so I’m sure to keep a calendar and most importantly, a journal of any ideas no matter how small. Writing things down whether it be my goals or tasks for the day is very important to me and has proven to be the best thing I could’ve started doing. Invest in a good journal, a nice pen, and begin writing everything you want and expect from your business. Then tick off each one by one until you’ve accomplished them. Once completed, start again.
Where and how can people find you?
Everyone can find me at www.wanderlustmyway.com. I’m always checking my comments and emails. My handle for all social media (tumblr, Facebook, twitter, snapchat, periscope) is WanderlustMyWay so be sure to add me to stay in the loop and get first access to any new products, services, or just to keep in touch.
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