How This Millennial Runs a $70,000-a-Month Business While Traveling the World

Aileen Adalid entered the corporate world at age 19 after graduating from De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, with a degree in business management.

But the trilingual Philippines native quickly grew envious of the flexible lifestyles of “digital nomads” she met while freelancing on the side in Manila.

At 21, Adalid quit her entry-level job at Deutsche Bank — which paid just $300 per month — to transition to a life of perpetual travel.

For the next year, Adalid freelanced in graphic design, web design, SEO management, and online marketing, sustained largely by one stable client contract that earned her more than double her previous salary. The best part: The flexibility enabled her to travel frequently to places like France and Thailand.

In May 2014, Adalid partnered with a friend to start an online Amazon retail business called Adalid Gear, a health and outdoor accessories company, and relocated to Belgium.

She also revived her one-time teenage diary blog, I Am Aileen, fashioning it into a lifestyle and travel blog that has gained traction among online travel communities.

Adalid now earns about $5,000 a month from her online ventures, and she travels from her home base (now back in the Philippines) at least once a month to destinations throughout Europe and Asia.

You can follow her adventures on her blog, I Am Aileen, or through her Facebook or Instagram.

Adalid told Business Insider about cutting ties with the corporate world to chase after the “digital nomad” lifestyle, and finding a balance between traveling the world and running two successful ventures. Read on to find out how she did it:

Back in college, Adalid studied business management and had a combined year of training experience under her belt at huge multinational companies like Nestlé, Unilever, and Siemens.

"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely." 💕☺🌻️ So spread some love and joy! And don't you ever lose that smile! #AileenInBelgium

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Nov 27, 2015 at 7:48am PST

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But after graduating college at 19 and spending two years working as a product controller at Deutsche Bank, she realized the corporate life wasn’t for her. She was increasingly intrigued by both entrepreneurship and travel, so she left her job with about $600 in savings in April 2013.

I have arrived in King's Landing! 💁🏻 TRIVIA: Dubrovnik was the main filming location for the fictional city in Game of Thrones #GoT #MedSailors #AileenInCroatia

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Jun 12, 2016 at 2:34am PDT

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“I started working as a remote freelance graphic designer, web developer, and marketing assistant taking on different projects but with a main stable client who employed me. My pay at this point was more than double of what I earned at my office job and I was able to control my time more for working as I started to travel around more.”

…Guess where I'm heading off to soon? Back home — the Philippines! 🇵🇭 But before that, I'll be stopping by Japan 🇯🇵 and afterwards, Indonesia 🇮🇩 // (Thanks to @danielwellington for the awesome watch! Come get yours too at a 15% discount, just use the code: iamaileen15) Enjoy! ✨

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Mar 4, 2016 at 6:32pm PST

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After a year of freelancing, Adalid started her Amazon retail business, Adalid Gear, and relocated to Belgium on a student visa after being accepted to a graduate program at the University of Antwerp.

"Is it safe to travel to Brussels?" I get this message a lot recently… and my answer will always be a resounding "YES". Belgium has become my 2nd home and I've been living here for almost 2 years now. Despite recent unfortunate events, it's still absolutely fine to visit and travel to this country. DON'T cancel your plans — COME. The city will welcome you as it always has in the past. As they say: "Life goes on." Besides, if we change our travel plans and lose our 'wanderlust' every time the terrorists strike, then they would have won through and through… and remember this: we shouldn't let them win. Just stay street smart like you always do when you travel, and it should be fine. The risks are still low. After all, Brussels' beauty is something that you shouldn't miss, so go and book that ticket! ***…Is it your 1st time to visit here? If so, why not consider a Brussels Walking Tour by Global Enterprises? I recently joined one of their tours and it has been amazing! Come read my blog to see why [link in bio]

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on May 3, 2016 at 4:04pm PDT

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When her namesake business took off a few months later, Adalid left school and switched to a partner visa — with the help of her Belgian business partner — to focus on growing the business. To get the company off the ground, they started by carefully researching the market to discover the most in-demand products.

Tulips usually bloom in spring, but if you go to Tonami Tulip Gallery in Japan, they bloom ALL year round — thanks to the amazing technology they posses! 🌷✨💐 • • • #AileenInJapan #AileenInCentralJapan

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Aug 27, 2017 at 1:17am PDT

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Their dedication paid off. Adalid Gear — which sells sports and outdoor gear — now has average monthly sales of $70,000, and has established markets in the US and UK.

t's finally here! Presenting our first product: a special beach blanket that comes with a free nylon tote pouch and 4 stakes. The summer is not over yet so grab one NOW! For more info, check out our product listing on Amazon at: http://amzn.to/1vAPem6

A post shared by Adalid Gear (@adalidgear) on Aug 19, 2014 at 12:11am PDT

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Adalid said enlisting mentors has been one of their most invaluable business strategies. “It was helpful for us to remain connected to people who run the same kind of business like ours, and to take up coaches who can guide us along the way,” she said.

Making my way downtown… 🎶 • • • #AileenInTheUSA #AileenInCalifornia

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Sep 11, 2017 at 6:39am PDT

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Adalid herself now earns about $5,000 a month from the business and “affiliate partnerships, sponsored posts, and social media shout outs” related to her travel blog. And thanks to brand and tourism board partnerships, Adalid often scores free travel and accommodations.

Recalling the amazing time that we spent in Innsbruck, Austria 💕 Thank you to Adler's Hotel for sponsoring our stay! #AileenInAustria

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Feb 9, 2016 at 2:52pm PST

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But she doesn’t accept everything she’s offered. “I want [the blog] to remain authentic, personalized, and uncluttered … besides, I already earn most of my ‘keep’ from my online business.” Thanks to travel freebies and discounts, she says she’s able to save about 70% of her income.

"Fall in love with places that make you want to stay…" Our complimentary night at Bruges' Hotel Heritage was amazing! 🇧🇪 #travel #hotel #Brugge #Belgium #AileenInBelgium

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on May 29, 2015 at 4:26pm PDT

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Adalid typically works less than four hours per day on Adalid Gear, mainly handling research, marketing, promotions, and communication, allowing her to go on a trip from her home base at least once a month.

"Sometimes, I don't take a shot. If I like a moment, I don't like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it. Right there… Right here." 📷 #myWoWmoment @worldwanderlust #travel #ceskykrumlov #quote #dametraveler #czech #AileenInCzechRepublic

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Jul 23, 2015 at 2:03pm PDT

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“During my two years in Belgium, I have gone on a scenic road trip in the Faroe Islands, climbed mountains in Norway, celebrated Bastille Day in Paris, explored off-the-beaten-path destinations in Belgium, driven through the highest mountain in the Alps East of the Brenner Pass in Austria, soared above the coast of Indonesia on a helicopter, and met a geisha and the ‘last samurai’ in Japan.”

Breathtaking view as I watched a stunning fireworks display at the Eiffel Tower! It surely saddens me that after such a lively Bastille Day celebration — not only in Paris but all over France — the country is, yet again, mourning because of what happened in Nice… My heart and thoughts go out to everyone as it truly saddens me that these tragic events keep happening. If you're going to ask me if it's still safe to travel to France or to Europe in general, my answer will still be a resounding YES. It's natural to get scared of course, but don't freak out. Don't let the terrorists win and stop you from living your life and from fulfilling your desires. Just travel smart, stay street smart, be kind, and you'll be fine. The risks are still low. After all, the world's beauty is something that you shouldn't miss, so go and book that ticket! #AileenInFrance

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Jul 18, 2016 at 4:50pm PDT

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Adalid’s nomadic lifestyle has taught her a few lessons about productivity. “Being constantly on the move can ruin anyone’s focus, rhythm, and pace, but I’ve discovered that it can be easily solved by doing slow travel and finding the right balance to how you do your workflow.”

Of spaces and places that take your breath away… ✨ Thank you to @bigberry.eu for touring me to this amazing spot — just look at the color of the water! 😍💖 #AileenInSlovenia

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Jul 25, 2016 at 7:17pm PDT

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Her advice for others who want to work and travel: “Always think long-term … Surely, it’s fine to take it easy at the start as you get skills and do temporary work and projects, like volunteering, but at the very core, it’s still best to work your way towards a grand goal that will give you a more stable remote profession.”

…and here I am at it again! ✈️ Hours from now, I will be boarding a flight to Taiwan with Robelle — a reader of mine who won my @kkdayph giveaway months ago! Stay tuned for our #iAndAileen Taiwan adventures LIVE here on Instagram Stories 💗 • • • ~ Itching to travel too? Book your tours now with KKday: https://www.kkday.com/en?cid=3891

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Jul 31, 2017 at 10:29pm PDT

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Adalid is back in the Philippines now with plans to make Spain her next home base. Her long-term goal is to continue to grow her businesses and to travel to every country in the world.

Nothing beats that wonderful feeling when you plan for your next travel adventure 😍✈️ #AileenInBelgium

A post shared by Aileen Adalid (@i_am_aileen) on Oct 20, 2015 at 8:10pm PDT

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This article originally appeared in Business Insider.