Not too long ago, digital nomads were mostly employees untethered from office desks. These included freelancers, remote tech workers, or startup consultants logging in from Bali cafés or Lisbon rooftops. But lately, there’s been a noticeable shift. More and more digital nomads are walking away from traditional employment altogether and building their own businesses instead.
Why? Because the very forces that once enabled remote work (e.g., tech disruption, flexibility, and a reimagining of how we live) are now nudging people even further down the path of independence. Combine that with a growing frustration over return-to-office (RTO) mandates and job uncertainty brought on by AI, and entrepreneurship suddenly feels less like a risk and more like a lifeline.
So, why is this shift happening? What tools are making it easier? And how are today’s digital nomads carving out new territory as solopreneurs and microbusiness builders? It’s not just about escaping the 9-to-5; it’s about reclaiming control over how, where, and why we work in a world that’s changing faster than ever.
How are AI and RTO policies pushing people toward independence?
The return-to-office backlash
The pandemic cracked the traditional work model wide open. For a few years, employees proved they could be just as productive—and often more so—without a daily commute or cubicle. But now, the pendulum is swinging back.
Major corporations such as Amazon, Dell, and AT&T have doubled down on RTO policies, despite internal pushback. One LinkedIn analysis in early 2025 revealed that up to 80% of employers who enforced rigid RTO rules experienced noticeable attrition. Employees weren’t just quitting; they were rethinking the entire idea of employment.
The AI effect on job stability
At the same time, companies are racing to integrate AI into workflows. Dell recently cut 2,500 jobs; Intuit trimmed 1,800. Not because business was bad, but because AI could do the work faster and cheaper.
That kind of shift doesn’t just change how we work. It changes who gets to work at all.
If you’re a digital nomad watching job roles disappear and being told to “report to HQ” in a city you left years ago, it’s only natural to start asking: What if I built something of my own instead?
Why is entrepreneurship more accessible than ever?
The tools are getting better and cheaper
Once upon a time, starting a business meant risk, capital, and years of grind. Not anymore.
Thanks to no-code platforms such as Carrd, Zapier, and Glide, building a website or digital product requires almost zero technical know-how. Payment systems such as Stripe and Gumroad let you monetize almost anything: eBooks, consulting calls, digital courses, niche SaaS tools. Scheduling, customer support, and social media automation can all be handled with a few clicks and a monthly subscription.
And then there’s AI. ChatGPT, Claude, and Midjourney are now the silent co-founders behind a wave of one-person businesses that scale like ten-person teams. Content creation, research, customer emails, design mockups, and product naming are all within reach.
Community and support are everywhere
Being your own boss doesn’t mean being alone.
There are now dozens of vibrant communities—from Indie Hackers and Trends to the State of Independence Report by MBO Partners, tracking the rise of independent work. Many digital nomads also tap into local coworking hubs or join global masterminds that meet on Zoom from every timezone imaginable.
Add in the fact that over 60 countries now offer digital nomad visas, and the infrastructure for location-independent entrepreneurship is stronger than it’s ever been.
What kinds of businesses are digital nomads starting?
Microbusinesses and micro-SaaS
Digital nomads aren’t necessarily starting the next Uber. They’re starting small on purpose.
Microbusinesses and “micro-SaaS” products serve niche audiences. For example, a micro-SaaS might be a tool that helps Airbnb hosts automate cleaning schedules, or a budgeting spreadsheet for remote couples. These ventures often take just a few hundred dollars to launch and can bring in steady income with minimal overhead.
They’re quiet, nimble, and powerful, which is exactly the kind of business that fits in a backpack.
Content and consulting empires
Many nomads turn their skills into scalable income streams. A former UX designer becomes a Figma course creator. A teacher builds a YouTube channel and sells digital curriculum. A travel writer launches a paid Substack and a city guide.
With platforms such as Kajabi, Podia, and Teachable, creators can offer courses, digital products, and live workshops to global audiences. The “one-to-many” model turns expertise into an asset.
Solopreneur service businesses
Solopreneurship isn’t just about products; it’s also thriving in service-based fields.
From copywriting and branding to remote bookkeeping and marketing strategy, many nomads operate as one-person agencies. Tools such as Calendly, Notion, and Loom allow for seamless operations. And since they work across borders, they often price in dollars or euros, but spend in pesos, baht, or rupees to boost their runway and profits.
What makes this movement more than just a trend?
This isn’t just a blip. It’s a structural shift in how people relate to work.
As of 2025, Pumble’s digital nomad report shows a continued decline in traditionally employed nomads and a double-digit rise in self-employed ones.
The old model isn’t working for everyone anymore. People want autonomy. They want meaning. They want a way to live on purpose and not just on weekends.
Entrepreneurship offers that. Not without its trade-offs. Not without some chaos. But in exchange, you get something powerful: freedom, ownership, and the ability to shape a life that feels truly yours.
The future belongs to the flexible
We’re seeing the dawn of a work era where location, schedule, and structure are increasingly chosen rather than assigned. Where more people are building their incomes around their lifestyles, rather than the other way around.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore. It’s for the UX designer in Medellín. The nutritionist in Chiang Mai. The AI copywriter bouncing between Tokyo and Porto.
And with AI tools at their fingertips, global marketplaces at their disposal, and a hunger for autonomy in their hearts, digital nomads aren’t just rejecting the office; they’re rewriting the rules of work entirely.
If you’re ready to explore microbusiness ideas, test a solopreneur path, or build something of your own, check out the No Boss Zone. This is your place to find business opportunities, entrepreneurial tips, education and training, and mindset resources?
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