Interview with Anna Maria Kochanska: the first generation Digital Nomad
Anna Maria Kochanska is a Remote Work Thought Leader and Public Speaker, specialized in Future of Work and Travel topics.
She is also a Founder & CEO @The Remote Impact and R- MAP EU Board Member.
With a background in Digital Transformation, she led the change in her previous company, being the very first person to work remotely for them in 2017. With a boom in remote work she founded The Remote Impact and helps Governments, brands and organizations with Digital Nomads & Remote Workers strategy.
Was featured in multiple podcasts and various renowned media as TEDx, Forbes, Sifted.eu, Index.hr, Bloomberg, TV National de Cape Verde, TV Bosnia and Herzegovina and TV Slovenia, etc.
Can you give us a brief history of digital nomadism and how it has evolved over the years?
Digital nomadism started gaining traction in the early 2000s with the rise of remote work and technological advancements. Initially, it was a niche lifestyle adopted by a few IT workers, freelancers and entrepreneurs. However, the trend has significantly grown, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which normalized remote work. Now, we have millions of digital nomads worldwide, working in various fields and contributing to global mobility.
According to recent data from Nomad List, there are over 35 million digital nomads worldwide. What factors do you think have contributed to this significant growth?
Several factors have contributed to this growth. The advancement of technology and the increasing acceptance of remote work by employers have been crucial. Additionally, the pandemic accelerated the shift towards remote work, making it a viable option for more people. The desire for a better work-life balance and the ability to explore new cultures while working have also played significant roles.
You started working remotely long before it became a widespread trend. Can you tell us about your journey and how you convinced your company to let you work remotely?
I first heard about digital nomadism in 2015 and started myself in 2017 when I moved to Lisbon. I applied for a position that was not initially remote, but I convinced the recruiter that I could work effectively from anywhere. I became the first person to work remotely for that company, and my success led them to allow more employees to work remotely. It is important to know your non negotiables (location independence), have skills that are in demand on the market and be a confident negotiator.
What challenges did you face when you first became a digital nomad in 2017, and how did you overcome them?
Perhaps the biggest challenge back then was a lack of understanding and lack of support for my lifestyle. With clients I often would choose not to disclose my locations or work arrangement to avoid being judged.
Initially, I also travelled to much and too fast which was consuming all my free time after work. It put on hold other projects in my life.
But with time I got my priorities right, understood that digital nomadism is not just about me but as well about local communities I am visiting and I started to think how I can influence them positively.
With pandemic also came more acceptance of location independent lifestyle and early digital nomads became role models for many people longing for freedom and self fulfillment.
You’ve visited around 50 countries as a digital nomad. How do you choose your destinations, and what criteria are most important to you?
Nowadays I only travel for a good reason, means there has to be professional or personal purpose for my trip. Most of the time I travel to speak or collaborate on interesting projects related to remote work and digital nomadism and then plan some exploration and personal time around that.
Personally factors that matter to me are safety, good weather, friendly locals and cost of life.
Unless I travel for business I prefer emerging destinations like Cape Verde or Balkans over established nomad hotspots.
Can you discuss the economic impact of digital nomadism on local economies, and what benefits that digital nomads bring to the places they visit?
On a short term basis digital nomads significantly contribute to local economies through spending on accommodation, food, experiences, services ect. They bring in millions of dollars and often stay longer than traditional tourists, providing a more stable income stream for local businesses. Additionally, they can diversify tourism, extend the season and be a sustainable solution to overtourism challenges.
And long term they can contribute to local innovation, creation of new businesses, investment and cultural exchange, fostering a dynamic environment.
How have company policies and jurisdiction laws regarding remote work and digital nomadism changed since you started, and what improvements do you think are still needed?
Company policies and jurisdiction laws have evolved considerably. More companies now accept remote work, and dozens of digital nomad visas are available worldwide. However, there is still a big room for improvement. Policies need to be more streamlined and visa requirements simplified. Governments should have long term strategy for attracting, integrating and retaining digital nomads and remote workers, as well as providing clear paths for residency.
We also need simple solutions for taxes, as lot’s of nomads are in a grey area due to confusion and lack of simplified global solutions.
There are around 65 active digital nomad visas available worldwide. How effective do you think these visas are, and what improvements could be made to attract more digital nomads?
The concept of digital nomad visas is great but most of these visas are just MVPs. They were often launched quickly during the pandemic without a long term strategy.
Many of these visas are not really designed for digital nomads but for remote workers and location independent investors yet nomads are top of this funnel.
To attract more digital nomads, these visas should be more streamlined, flexible, allow work, and be connected to pathways for longer-term residency or permanent settlement.
The digital nomad community has become more diverse over the years. Can you talk about the rise of digital nomad families and the services available to support them?
Yes, digital nomad families are a growing niche. Initially, the community was mostly young white men working in IT. Now, post-pandemic, it has become more diverse, including families. Companies like Boundless Life offer services for nomadic families, but this market is very new. We need more services that cater to the unique needs of families, such as schooling options and family-friendly accommodations.
For someone considering becoming a digital nomad today, what advice would you give to help them navigate the current trends and challenges?
First thing is to have a right mindset. I cannot stress this one enough as this is absolutely critical yet so often overlooked.
Next step is to join nomad communities and events to build a supportive network. Networking and surrounding yourself with people who are already living this lifestyle can provide valuable insights and motivation (and often get you jobs).
And third important one is to know your unique talents and skills, nurture them and capitalize on them other by finding a remote work or starting your own business. Particularly for remote jobs there is a big competition nowadays so you really need to stand out and show others how you can help them.