Remote works offers flexbility and freedom to design your lifestyle

Can you please introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm Yaritza Báez- A location-independent business coach. I specialize in working with women over 40 in the early stages of starting an online service-based business.

What’s your profession, what do you do?

I coach people on building the basic foundation they need in their new business before generating any money.

What company do you work for? Are you a freelancer or Digital Nomad?

Yaritza Baez Coaching (My business).

How did you start with a remote work journey?

Due to the 2008 economic crisis, I lost my job while in San Francisco. My husband knew how frustrated I was about my professional career and kept telling me to think of something to do as a business. I would think about it every morning while riding the train to work. Without consciously knowing it, I was asking the Universe for guidance. The answer came a year later after returning to Puerto Rico.

In the local newspaper, I found an article about virtual assistance, and it was the answer I was looking for, so I trained as a VA and started freelancing. A year later, I moved to the UK with my husband, and now I split my time between Puerto Rico and the UK. I always knew that virtual assistance would open the door to more opportunities in the online world, so after six-plus years, I decided to train as a business coach, which is what I do now.

What do you think are the main benefits of working remotely?

The benefit of remote work is the flexibility to design my work schedule and being able to travel without time constraints. You have freedom to design your lifestyle. Another advantage is that I get to work from my home.

Do you think there are disadvantages or that you’re missing something by working remotely?

I find it a bit more challenging to interact with other people daily, and sometimes it can feel a bit isolated.

From what cities or countries have you worked since you have become remote? What are your favourite countries or cities to work from?

I mainly live and work in Puerto Rico and the UK.

From what type of places do you prefer to work? Home, co-working spaces, coffee shops, or others?

I prefer to work from my home office and sometimes public libraries. I find coffee shops distracting and occasionally noisy.

What places would you like to travel to while working remotely?

I would like to travel and work in places like South Korea, Taiwan, France and Italy.

Having an internet connection can be unpredictable and electricity blackouts, so having satellite or mobile internet is very helpful, as well as living in a place that can be off the grid with alternative energy such as solar panels or generators.

What tools do you use to improve productivity and manage work efficiently?

Zoom, Google Workspace, Todoist, Calendly, and Sendfox are the tools I regularly use to operate my business.

How do you manage your business and taxes as a remote working professional?

My business is based in a US territory, so I file taxes accordingly.

What advice would you give to people looking to work remotely?

Self-discipline is essential if you want to get work done. Create a work routine and schedule that adapts to your lifestyle; ultimately, you need to get the job done. It's easy to be distracted by everything around you that isn't work-related.