Our CEO Jo Caruana left bricks and mortar behind to move the business onto a boat in the middle of the countryside. Guess what? She loves it! So, could breaking the mould be beneficial for your business? We find out. 

If you told me a couple of years ago that I would be running a business from a boat, I would have said, “Forget it. Everything must work the way it’s always worked. The way we’ve always done it.” 

But nothing grows if nothing evolves and Covid-19 forced the world – especially the business world – to reconsider how things can and should be done. I quickly learned there’s no one ‘right’ way to run a business. 

Before 2020, I had never chosen between charging my laptop or heating the kettle because I had to ration my electricity – now, I do. Despite this, I experience ‘the best of both worlds’ in a different way. 

So, if you’ve ever wondered if you can run your business remotely (from a boat or any seemingly unrealistic location), I’m here to tell you – you can. 

Maintaining your dream lifestyle and pursuing your professional goals are not mutually exclusive. I manage a team of 18 people from a canal boat in England and a sailing boat in Malta – and love it! 

To hear the more in-depth realities about running a business from a boat, why it works for me – and can work for you too – listen to the No Bullsh*t Talks podcast with host Sabrina Chevannes. 

Or, keep reading to learn why I am actively giving up a stationary lifestyle and opting for a dynamic, new chapter for my business. 

Create a Work-Life Balance: JOMO

FOMO – the fear of missing out. You know it and most certainly have experienced it. The digital age is constantly bombarding us with reasons for discontentment. It’s hard to appreciate where you are when social media allows for endless, picture-perfect scrolling of travels, successes, and celebrations. 

We sit at our desks drowning in comparison wishing we were anywhere or anyone else.  Studies have shown that people experiencing FOMO are more depressed, anxious, and neurotic.  

At a time when these feelings are surging, I knew I needed to start questioning the way we do things. Does my lifestyle work? Is change possible? 

Spoiler alert – change is possible, and I love it! Slowing down my lifestyle and mental space has allowed me to cut out the manic nature of work, all non-essential travel, and in-person meetings. Now, I experience JOMO – the joy of missing out. 

Sure, I may have missed out on certain things, but this transition has allowed me to consciously choose what I want to be present for. 

The pressured days of frantically running around for meetings and endless obligations are over. Now, I get to manage the Finesse Group from a boat outside of London and maintain a meaningful personal life. 

This lifestyle change would not have happened if not for the pandemic. It forced me to readdress a work-life balance, instilled a sense of adventure in every moment, and required me to think outside the box.

So, if you have FOMO, feel overwhelmed, or struggle to maintain a fast-paced lifestyle – ask yourself if you’re ready for a change. It may be time to turn off autopilot and embark on an adventure that you get to choose. 

Be More Productive: What working remotely can do for you

Pre-Covid-19 it was inconceivable for a boss to let employees work from home. Pay them while they kick their feet up and relax? No way. 

Post-pandemic? That’s a different story. Plain and simple – working remotely is more productive. I’m not just speaking from lived experience. 

Multiple studies can vouch. One study even showed remote work led to a 47% increase in employee productivity. What business owner doesn’t like the sound of that?

Working from a boat has had no negative impact on the business whatsoever – if anything, it galvanised it. It’s fun. It’s quirky. It’s something a little different. People love hearing about it. 

I went from packing eight in-person meetings a day to a fully remote schedule. Of course, I still have meetings in-person when I need to, but I’m not wasting time running from one place to the other. This is so much calmer. 

Being fully remote allows you to fit much more into your day. It allows you to choose when you actually want (and need) to be in person. Any business relationship is better face-to-face, so it’s important to have a balance. It comes down to choosing what works best for you and your clients, and managing expectations accordingly.  

Here’s the bottom line – removing myself from the office and going remote has reduced stress, created a flexible schedule, enhanced productivity, saved time and energy. Plus, it’s allowed for a work-life balance I never had before. 

Sound too good to be true? It’s not and it gets better. 

Go Green: A sustainable lifestyle 

One of the biggest adjustments – and benefits – of living on a boat is limited energy use. We are 100% off the grid and make our energy with four solar panels. Most of the time, those are enough to power our lifestyle. 

This change has prompted serious consideration of our energy usage. I am now hyper-aware of the energy it takes to run every little thing – the fridge, hairdryer, or charging my phone. I understand the minimal energy my day-to-day routine requires and adapt if I need to. 

It’s taken ‘energy mindfulness’ to another level and allowed me to be resourceful and sustainable. 

Reality check – you are only four solar panels away from never seeing another gas or electricity bill! Save money on utilities and save help save the planet? It’s simply a win-win. 

Get Started

I know it all sounds a bit mad. Maybe it is – but it works. I’m sure you have apprehension and doubts. I did too. But I can wholeheartedly say my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. 

If you were wondering about Wi-Fi, even that’s better from a boat – seriously. It’s the best Wi-Fi I’ve ever had. So, if that’s what’s holding you back – do it! 

And in the meantime, if you need help with your marketing strategy, PR, content or customer experience, we’d love to help! Schedule a meeting with me today.