Nomad Summit Podcast: Fuel for Your Nomadic Journey

In episode 52 of the Nomad Summit Podcast, we meet Yuliia Siletska – a Ukrainian entrepreneur who started her first business at just 17 years old and went on to build ÜLKA into an international beauty-tech company selling in more than 50 countries. What began in a small apartment with one handmade dust collector for a nail artist friend has grown into a factory with 80 employees in eastern Ukraine. Along the way, Yuliia has navigated war, remote leadership, international expansion, and the challenges of scaling a manufacturing business while raising a son and living increasingly location independently. In this episode, Yuliia shares how she built a global company from Ukraine, why health and safety in the beauty industry became her mission, and how travel and nomadic living now inspire her creativity and business decisions.   We also talk about: Building a company from a tiny apartment Managing a factory remotely during wartime Expanding into the US and other global markets Leadership after becoming sole owner of the company The hidden health risks faced by nail technicians How exhibitions and events helped grow the business Productivity, ambition, and balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship Why seeing the world gives her new business ideas This episode was recorded while Alexandra and Yuliia were attending Network School in Forest City, Malaysia – the futuristic tech hub turned "ghost city". Key Takeaways Start with solving a real problem Manufacturing businesses can also be run remotely International growth requires trust and visibility Events and exhibitions remain powerful for networking and sales Ukrainian entrepreneurs have developed extraordinary resilience Travel and new environments can fuel creativity and innovation Leadership styles evolve as companies grow Building systems and trusting people is essential for scaling Relevant Links Follow ÜLKA: https://ulka-global.com Follow Yuliia Siletska on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulka_siletska/  Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

In Episode 51 of the Nomad Summit Podcast, we sit down with Ilona Vinogradova – a former BBC journalist turned global traveler who challenges the very idea of what it means to be a digital nomad. Ilona has spent years living without a permanent home, moving across countries while building a location-independent career. But she resists the label "digital nomad" entirely. For her, travel is not about collecting destinations or optimizing lifestyle – it is about shedding identities, going deeper, and connecting with people in a more meaningful way. This conversation explores her concept of "vertical travel" – a powerful shift from surface-level experiences to deeper human connection across cultures, ages, and social backgrounds. Along the way, we also dive into belonging, curiosity, silence, and what it really means to live freely. This is not a typical nomad conversation. It is a reflection on how we travel – and why. Key Takeaways Why Ilona rejects the "digital nomad" label and sees identity itself as a limitation The difference between horizontal travel and vertical travel How to connect with people outside your usual social circles Why short-term connections while traveling can still be deeply meaningful How curiosity can unlock unexpected experiences and relationships The idea that "life is your work" – and what that means in practice How silence and meditation can change the way you experience the world Why travel can help you move beyond judgment and see common humanity Relevant Links Ilona on Substack: https://ilonavinogradova.substack.com/ Ilona on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ilonavinogradova Ilona's company, LovinFilms Pro: https://lovinfilms.com Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk

What does it really take to reach financial independence – and what happens after you get there? In this episode of the Nomad Summit Podcast, Christoph and Alexandra sit down in Da Nang with entrepreneur and FIRE advocate Seven Chan. His story is anything but linear. From becoming a millionaire at 18 to losing it all a year later, Seven spent years chasing the "right" investments – only to see them fail in hindsight. Everything changed when he discovered the FIRE movement – Financial Independence, Retire Early – and shifted to a simpler, more disciplined approach to investing and spending. That decision eventually allowed him to retire in under a decade instead of the 27 years he originally planned.  But this conversation goes far beyond money. Seven shares how he built and scaled a restaurant business from scratch, why he walked away from success more than once, and what it feels like to be "retired" when you still have the urge to build something new. He also talks about creating FIRE communities around the world – including in Da Nang – and why financial freedom looks very different depending on the path you take to get there. This is an honest and eye-opening look at money, mindset, and the real meaning of freedom in a location-independent life.   Key Takeaways FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early – but it is more about freedom than quitting work You can do many "right" things financially and still fail – timing and patience matter A simple, long-term investment strategy often beats active trading and constant decision-making Losing money can be part of the journey – resilience and consistency are key Entrepreneurship and FIRE are very different paths – and they shape how people live after reaching financial freedom Lifestyle design and spending habits play a crucial role in achieving financial independence Community matters – surrounding yourself with like-minded people can accelerate learning and confidence Financial freedom does not always mean doing nothing – for some, it creates the freedom to build new things   Relevant Links Nomad Summit: https://nomadsummit.com Episode produced by RadioGuru: https://radioguru.co.uk