The document discusses how Cindy Cullen runs her web development business as a digital nomad, traveling around in an RV. Some key points discussed include how she works with a distributed team who all work remotely, uses various tools for communication, finds clients through networking and social media, and ensures reliable internet access while on the road. She also offers advice on freelancing successfully, managing finances, and time management while traveling and working remotely.

1. Taking Code on
the Road
Cindy Cullen
https://cullenwebservices.com/wpyall2018/

2. 1980
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

3. Corporate
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

4. Kids
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

5. Teacher
● High School
● Home School
● Community College
● Online
● Elementary School
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

6. The Good Life
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

7. 1998-2003
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen
● Started building websites in FrontPage
● HTML, PHP/MySQL
● Friends & Family
● Yahoo groups work from home opportunities & home schoolers
● Started getting serious about building a freelance business in 2003
● WordPress

8. Now
● Self-Employed - Freelancer
● Business Owner - Cullen Web
Services
● Interns
● Sub Contractors
● Teacher/Educator
● Speaker
● Traveler
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

9. Our Home
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

10. Our Office
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

11. Our Home Base
● Required for a bank account and
licenses
● Taxes - cheapest states South
Dakota, Florida, Texas
● Our Physical Address
● Mail Forwarding
Service
● Voting
● Mobile Deposit
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

12. What We Do From the Road
● WordPress Websites
● Custom Development
● Hosting
● WordPress Security
● Training
● Debugging
● Support
● Edits
● Domains
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

13. Our Distributed Team
● All work from home
● All were my students
● All freelancers
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

14. How We Communicate
● Email
● Slack
● Zoom
● Text
● Phone
● In Person
● Ticketing System / Help Desk
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

15. How We Stay Connected to the Internet
● Verizon - unlimited
● AT&T Phone Plan - 30gb
● AT&T Home Base for Rural - 500gb
● Campgrounds
● Truck Stops
● Take the day off and go
exploring
● Mobile RV Group for
updates
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

16. How We Find Contractors
● Freeeup.com
● Social Media
● Networking
● Training Courses
● Interns
● Upwork.com
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

17. Tools We Use
Accounting Software
● Invoicing
● Recurring Invoicing
● Expenses
● Reporting
● Customer Relationships
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

18. Tools We Use
● Project Management Software
○ Task Management
○ Time for Billing
○ Time for Contractor Payment
● InfiniteWP
○ Reporting
○ Estimates
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

19. How We Find Clients
● Networking Events
● Retreats
● Campgrounds
● Conferences
● Word of Mouth / Referrals
● Social Media
● Craigslist
● Everywhere we go!
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

20. How We Get Paid
● PayPal
● Stripe
● WePay (Accounting Software)
● Daily Settlements
● Checks
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

21. Time Management
● Time Zones
● Travel Days - Working in the Truck
● Exploring Days
● Routines
● Processes
● Tools
● Eliminate, Automate,
Delegate, Procrastinate,
Concentrate
● Self Motivation
● Self Discipline
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

22. Money Management
● Profit First
● Bank Accounts
○ Simple :(
○ Capital One
● Accountant
● Accounting Software
● Health Insurance - Self Insured
● Much of our lifestyle is tax deductible
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

23. Legal
● Contracts
● Lawyers
● Sole Proprietor, LLC,
Corporation?
● Give more value than you are paid
for
● How much are you willing to lose?
● What do you need to protect?
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

24. How Much Does it Cost?
We spend the same amount we did when we rented a house.
● Campground fees & RV payment replace house rent
● Truck Fuel & Propane replace Utility Bills
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

25. Pro’s or Con’s to Freelancing
● I am the boss
● Time Freedom
● Financial Freedom
● Working alone
● Mobility - Work from wherever you
want
● You set your own prices
● Choose who you work with
● Taxes
● Benefits
● Work in your PJ’s
● Low Overhead
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

26. What We’ve Learned About Travel
● Plan to travel only 3 - 4 hours per day
● Plan to stay one week minimum
● Get there before dark
● Reserve campgrounds months in advance
● Make sure there is electric and water
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

27. What We’ve Learned About Travel
● Check the cell coverage ahead of time if possible
● Check for campground wifi
● Make note of nearest truck stops, grocery stores and laundromats
● Check reviews
● Avoid KOA
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

28. What We’ve Learned About Freelancing
● Don’t take every client who comes along. Some clients are better off
at my competitor.
● Invest in yourself, you are worth it
● Take care of yourself. You can’t work if you are sick - physically or
emotionally.
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

29. What We’ve Learned About Freelancing
● Charge what you are worth. They are investing in themselves, not
you. It is a transformation - check the value to them, not your time.
● Have clients pay half up front
● Don’t let invoices get too big without payment if you are working
hourly. Set your limits.
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

30. What We’ve Learned About Freelancing
● Don’t try to be everything to everybody - know what you do well.
● Don’t release code until you’ve been paid.
● Look for clients who are willing to pay what you are worth and
appreciate what you do.
● Find Mentors and Coaches
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

31. What We’ve Learned About Life
● Save money for taxes.
● If you don’t enjoy doing it, you are stealing someone else’s job.
● Life is short. Do what you love! What are you trading your life for?
● Look at your creditors as investors.
● Get rid of limiting beliefs and fears.
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

32. What We’ve Learned About Life
● Entrepreneurship is the Master's degree for Personal Development.
● Sell people what they want, give them what they need.
● If someone can talk you out of it, you are not ready.
● Find a good team and DELEGATE!
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen

33. Thank you!
Slides: https://cullenwebservices.com/wpyall2018/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgcullen
Twitter: @cgcullen
Cindy Cullen
@cgcullen