Living Life On Our Terms: Building a Tech Agency to Fuel Freedom, Fulfillment & Family Time

Imagine a life where your job doesn’t tie you down to one location, one office, or even one schedule. That’s what we dreamed of as we worked our way up the corporate ladder back in New Zealand—endless meetings, rigid hours, and projects that didn't inspire us.

We knew there had to be a way to do work we loved without sacrificing freedom and family time. We envisioned a business we could take anywhere, that wouldn’t require us to choose between our goals and our kids’ experiences. So we took a leap, started The Honest Tech Company, and began building our future on our terms.

Today, we’re proud to say that decision changed everything. We’ve since traveled to Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Malaysia, and now France, making memories and giving our kids a world of experiences beyond the classroom.

Here’s the full story of how we left our comfort zones, built our own agency, and now live a life that feels true to us—and how you can too.

The Dream vs The Daily Grind: What Made Us Take the Leap

If you’re working a job that drains you, working under people whose values you don’t align with, and feeling unfulfilled despite the long hours, we know exactly how that feels. It’s tough to envision a different life when you’re deep in the grind. That’s where we were, spending most of our days doing work that lacked purpose, feeling like we were on an endless cycle of “work, eat, sleep, repeat.”

One day, it hit us: if we wanted things to change, we had to be the ones to change them. We had to create a path that allowed us to work in a way that aligned with our values, provided true freedom, and gave us the chance to spend meaningful time with our kids. So we took a leap of faith and started our own agency, focusing on providing tech solutions to small businesses and coaches who needed automation to thrive.

Step by Step: How We Built a Life of Freedom Through Our Agency

1. Define Your Vision and Niche

Before anything else, get clear on what you want your business to look like and the type of clients you want to help. For us, that meant focusing on high-impact tech solutions that would make a difference for other small business owners. We wanted to be able to work from anywhere, so setting up an agency that could be entirely remote was essential.

2. Invest in Skills and Systems

To ensure our agency could scale and provide value, we invested in our tech and marketing skills, tools, and systems that allowed us to work efficiently. We also brought in a network of talented virtual assistants, giving them the chance to work remotely and build their careers. This approach let us grow while maintaining flexibility in our schedule.

3. Build a Support Network

As we expanded, we hired team members who shared our vision. Our VAs and tech specialists aren’t just employees; they’re people who also wanted to escape the daily grind. By empowering them with flexibility and training, we’ve seen them grow in their roles, some even starting their own businesses.

4. Set Up for Sustainability and Freedom

Creating a sustainable business that wouldn’t tether us to one place or one computer was key. We developed automation systems and processes to minimize manual work. This approach gave us the time and energy to travel, spend time with our kids, and create new adventures together.

5. Make the Move

Once we had our systems in place, we felt ready to hit the road. We left New Zealand, rented our home and took our business with us. First stop: Bali, then Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, and finally Thailand, where we lived for nearly two years before moving to France.

Real Benefits: How This Journey Has Changed Our Lives (and Our Kid's Too)

The decision to run our agency while traveling has been life-changing. Our kids, Jasmine and Shane, have experienced more of the world than we could have imagined. Jasmine learned to play the piano in Thailand, and Shane got to practice Muay Thai, deepening their connection with new cultures.

Both of them are now multilingual, picking up Thai and French along the way—experiences they never would have had if we’d stayed in New Zealand.

This business has given us time to be present with our family, explore new cultures, and grow together. Our kids don’t just see us working; they see us working in a way that aligns with our dreams and values. And for us, that’s priceless.

The Ripple Effect: Inspiring Change Beyond Our Family

It’s not just about us. Running this agency has given us the chance to help others find their own paths to freedom and fulfillment. Our clients, team members, and virtual assistants have also experienced real benefits from this journey.

Many have been able to leave their full-time jobs or grow their own side businesses because of the skills and support we provide. Seeing the positive impact our work has had on others has only fueled our passion to keep going.

Ready To Take The Leap? Here's What to Do Next

If you’re ready to build a business that lets you work from anywhere and live life on your terms, here’s a step-by-step plan to help you get started:

1. Define Your Why: Get clear on what freedom means for you. Do you want to travel, spend more time with your family, or simply escape a toxic job? Defining this will keep you motivated through every step.

2. Research and Identify Your Niche: Think about the problems you want to solve. Find a niche that excites you and has a demand—whether that’s automation, marketing, or tech solutions for small businesses.

3. Invest in Skills and Tools: Equip yourself with the skills and tools you’ll need to succeed. This might mean learning about automation software, marketing platforms, or customer relationship tools.

4. Build Your Network: Hire people who share your goals and are excited to grow with you. Create a team that can operate remotely, giving everyone the flexibility to live life without boundaries.

5. Stay Focused and Take Action: The journey won’t always be easy, but staying committed will make all the difference. Keep your vision in mind and take each step as it comes.

If you’re ready to make the jump and need a guide, reach out to us. We’ve been in your shoes, and now we’re here to help others create their own freedom-driven businesses. We'd love to work with you to build a life and a business that truly aligns with who you are and what you want.

Contact us here.