Greetings, fellow small business humans!

I should’ve done this last week, but here I am. I’m on the plane writing my out of office notice and preparing an email to my customer base. As I gaze out the plane widow (I took that banner photo), I can't help but marvel at the journey life has taken me on.

It hasn’t been an easy path but, (a) who’s path is every really smooth, and (b) while awful thingshappen, ‘good’ or ‘bad’ really comes down to a person’s ability to choose the lense they reflect through: is it one of growth, hope, and opportunity or one of dissempowerment, defeat, and despair. Ok maybe a little too deep for this early in the morning.

As I hover 12,192 metres (about 40,000 feet) somewhere above the Caspian Sea pondering the meaning of life, the univese and everything (Gemini AI told me the answer was 42, btw), I can’t help but feel grateful, humbled and very fortunate. So, I thought I’d also make my client notices into more of a #digitalnomad story/blog.

I'm en route to London for a dear friend's wedding, followed by a bucketlist adventure across Europe.

Aftre London, I'll be celebrating a birthday with my old Rotary host family in Lyon, France, and reconnecting with my youth exchange student in Paris (I’ve now know him 15+ years and so proud of the amazing man he has become). As for those bucket list items, we’ll be: strolling through Monet's Gardens, wandering the halls of the Louvre, sipping cocktails on the beaches of Marseille, and finally, standing before the Parthenon in Greece — the birthplace of democracy 🌍 This will be the coups d'etat of my trip.

There's a fine line between gloating and expressing gratitude. Sure, I love to flaunt as much as the next human, but I write out of pure gratitude, introspection and joy to be able to have these life momnets. I’d like to inspire you to grow your small businesses and remember to live a good life while you do it — it’s a journey, not a destination. You know what happens when you hit that destination, don’t you.

This isn't just a vacation; it's a testament to the balance between work and life that I've strived to achieve. Being a #digitalnomad allows me to embrace these adventures while continuing to support all of you. After two years without a proper break, I'm ready to savor every moment, even if my responses might be a tad slower than usual. Rest assured, my commitment to providing top-notch support remains unwavering. I'll be setting up regular scheduling windows for our video calls to keep our connection strong.

But none of this would be possible without my incredible team, the backbone of Online is Easy, who make it all happen behind the scenes:

• Remy: with a passion for all things AI, Remy is the newest member on our team. His enthusiasm to provide top notch service is inspiring and he’ll be your first port of call to assit you directly or to escalate.

• Katheryn: The creative force behind our social media, and client marketing campaigns, she engages our client’s target audiences with verve. In my absence, Kat is the Team Leader.

• David: with me for over a year as WebDev and design maestro, David crafts beautiful websites that bring visions to life and creates smooth customer journeys online.

• Vincent: a Google Certified Google Workspace Administrator, he ensures our client’s Google Workspace systems are secure and functional.

In the past year, our company has grown exponentially—from a team of 2 to a dedicated group of 6 (including me). Our workload has increased fivefold, a true testament to the power of ideas, collaboration, and the courage to test and measure. This growth hasn't been without its challenges, but with patience and the unwavering support of this fantastic team, we've navigated the complexities together. They skillfully interpret my scattered thoughts, turning them into meaningful actions that drive our mission forward.

The plane progress map makes me consider how vast, yet connected, our world is … and the plane was not that huge 😉

This journey reinforces a fundamental truth: success isn't just about working hard; it's about working smart, embracing your dreams, and finding harmony between your professional and personal life.

I hope my experiences inspire you to focus on working on your business, not just in it. Remember to pause, reflect, and yes, stop to smell the roses along the way.

I'll be sharing glimpses of my "work with a view" on Instagram, and I invite you to join me in celebrating this blend of work and adventure. Let's inspire one another to live our dreams and build authentic relationships—not just as clients and providers, but as fellow travellers on this remarkable journey.

If you need support, are curious about exploring Google Workspace or Gemini AI, or are dreaming of a stunning new website, don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to help you turn your ideas into reality.

Cheers to embracing the journey, and à bientôt!