James is a nomadic entrepreneur that caught our attention due to a blog post he wrote on cool cafes with wifi in Bangkok. Since we like location independent professionals, free wifi and we definitely like good coffee, we decided that you too should get to know James.
James is a nomadic entrepreneur that caught our attention due to a blog post he wrote on cool cafes with wifi in Bangkok. Since we like location independent professionals, free wifi and we definitely like good coffee, we decided that you too should get to know James.
Thank you for this interview. Would you like to introduce yourself to our students and readers?
My name is James Clark and I’m a location independent entrepreneur originally from Melbourne and now with no fixed address. I’ve been on the road as a digital nomad since 2003. I make and promote websites in the travel niche and I run a travel blog at http://www.nomadicnotes.com.
Tell us a bit about your life on the road.
I first travelled abroad in 1995 to Hawaii which gave me the taste for international travel. I did a working holiday visa in the UK and Ireland from 1999 to 2003, and after working in Ireland I became self employed and have been working and travelling since then.
What does a normal working day look like for you?
I’m usually awake by 6.30 and at my desk by 7am. As I work from home there is no commute so that saves me a lot of my day. I will go to a cafe in the morning, and maybe another one in the afternoon. If I am in a new place I will spend half a day sightseeing/taking photos. I will then do a couple of hours of light work in the evening (like reading industry news and emails).
How long were you in Bangkok for?
The last time I was in Bangkok it was for one month, but I have spent countless amounts of months when you add up the times I have past through over the years.
What do you look for, when searching for a space to work?
For cafes there are a combination of factors. A good working space (desks), power outlets, reasonably quiet (no loud music), ambiance (interior design), and of course, good coffee!
Did you ever have trouble finding a decent place?
Finding a decent place to work is a constant issue for digital nomads. My main priority is finding decent accommodation that has good wifi. If I have that, then the pressure is off for finding a good work space during the day. Not every city is going to be digital nomad friendly, so I spend longer amonts of time in the cities that are.
How long did it take you to gather the list of cafes in Bangkok?
I knew of a number of these places before hand, but the bulk of the list was compiled when I was in Bangkok for one month in October 2012. I would make a point to visit one new cafe a day, resistig temptation to visit the most convenient or favourite cafe. Many of the cafes don’t have their own websites as well, so some of the cafes I found just by chance walking past them.
What sort of feedback did you get from it?
I have had a mix of people giving positive feedback; from locals who didn’t know about some of the cafes, to travellers who were passing through who appreciated a list of cafes to visit. I have even met cafe owners and readers as a result of publishing cafe lists, so this ha been another benefit.
So you’re a coffee lover, have you ever found yourself in a place where there is no decent cup of coffee around?
Absolutely. Travelling in off the beaten path destinations in places like Myanmar and the Philippines, often the only coffee available is a sachet of 3-in-1 instant coffee.
What is your favorite thing about your Nomadic lifestyle?
Being able to live and work without being tied down to an office space has been a dream job for me. I have been able to live in many places around the world as a result.
If you would like to learn more about James and his travels check out his blog.
And if you would like to learn the skills to become a location independent professional be sure to take a look at our fantastic courses.
