Over 50 flights in one year. That’s how much Alex and Karla once traveled while running their businesses. Was it worth it?

In this episode of Rich and Remote, Alex Booth and Karla Singson Booth get honest about the side of location freedom nobody posts about. Between business layovers, time zone swings, and a three-week Europe trip they just got back from, they unpack what travel really costs a business owner beyond the flight and the hotel.

Karla has been a business owner since 2009 and has built a seven-figure business she can run from anywhere. Alex left over a decade in corporate to build his own. Their travel styles could not be more different, and that’s what makes this conversation so useful.

They share the trips that cost them real momentum, what held up while they were completely offline, and the personal rules they now follow before booking anything.

In this episode:

• The five-month stretch abroad that almost brought Alex’s business to a halt
• What Karla discovered about a team member while she was on vacation
• The one hire that closed deals while Karla was offline
• Why you should never try anything new right before you travel
• Alex and Karla’s “magic number” of flights per year (they don’t agree)

If you’ve ever wondered whether your travel plans are helping or hurting your business, this episode will give you a few rules to live by.

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That’s what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Want clients who stay longer, renew, and refer? GetCSM helps you find and hire experienced Customer Success Managers who keep your clients happy, even when you’re on the other side of the world. https://getcsm.com/

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

Work-Friendly Stays Around the World

Remember the hotel notes Alex mentioned? Our Rich and Remote stays page features remote-work-friendly hotels, Airbnbs, and third homes around the world. We scout them ourselves and write honest recommendations. Browse the list: https://richandremote.com/stays/

Own or manage a work-friendly stay? To be featured on the list, click the “Get Featured” button on the upper-right menu or go to https://richandremote.com/get-started/

• (00:00:01) - Intro: Living the Travel Freedom Dream
• (00:01:08) - Setting Up the Episode: How Many Flights Is Too Many?
• (00:05:00) - Sponsor: Hire an AI VA Playbook
• (00:06:22) - What Does Freedom Really Mean?
• (00:10:03) - Defining 'Too Much' Travel
• (00:13:26) - Staycations and Scratching the Travel Itch
• (00:14:53) - Most Flights Ever Taken and Business Impact
• (00:17:48) - When Travel Cost the Business: Alex's Philippines Story
• (00:23:00) - Carla's YouTube Lesson from the Philippines Trip
• (00:25:08) - Europe Trip Debrief: What Held Up, What Broke
• (00:30:06) - Systems and Habits for Traveling Entrepreneurs
• (00:34:51) - Tools, Communication, and Clear Expectations
• (00:37:41) - Managing Teams and Clients Across Time Zones
• (00:46:58) - The True Cost of Travel Beyond Flights and Hotels
• (00:49:30) - Should You Travel Early in Your Business?
• (00:51:31) - Deciding If a Trip Is Worth It
• (00:56:53) - The Magic Number: Flights Per Year Revealed
• (01:01:22) - Closing Thoughts and Sign Off

My passport gets me into fewer countries than yours. I went anyway.

I carry what I call an “ugly” passport: visas, bank statements, embassy interviews and fees I don’t get back if they say no. Still, I traveled the world, closed global brands before 23, and built a multi-million dollar remote business.

In this solo episode, I share the exact playbook I’d hand to any Founder who wants more freedom (especially for my sisters and brothers in developing countries):

Why making more money is your real passport upgrade
✈️ How to build a travel history that gets you approved
Starting with visa-free, inexpensive countries
️ Designing your ordinary days, not your dream vacation
❄️ Why you should visit in different seasons before you move
How to score a country: culture, safety, food, climate, time zone and more
Why trying two or three places isn’t a mistake

Grab a pen, take notes. Then ask yourself: is your “ugly passport” really a wall, or just paperwork you haven’t finished yet?

Know a Founder who thinks “people like me don’t get to do that”?

Send them this.

Get first dibs on our podcast, our latest discoveries, tips, and exclusive discounts and promos from all of our Rich and Remote™ partners all around the world. Sign up for our weekly newsletter: RichandRemote.com

• (00:00:25) - Intro and Show Welcome
• (00:01:45) - The Ugly Passport Story
• (00:03:36) - Weak Passports and Social Mobility
• (00:05:51) - Lesson One: Making More Money
• (00:08:16) - Learning Yourself Through Local Travel
• (00:10:00) - First International Trip: Sydney, Australia
• (00:12:56) - Starting Easy: Nearby Countries for Filipinos
• (00:14:30) - Exploring Culture, Food, and Fit
• (00:17:15) - Moving to Countries That Require Visas
• (00:18:37) - US Visa Experience and City Scouting
• (00:20:15) - Choosing Where to Settle: Key Factors
• (00:21:09) - Digital Nomad Visa Options Around the World
• (00:25:46) - Lifestyle Considerations: Food, Safety, Hobbies
• (00:27:26) - My Journey to Mexico Residency
• (00:28:01) - Next Chapter: Moving to the US
• (00:28:52) - Final Reflections and Encouragement
• (00:33:12) - Closing and Sponsor Messages

What if the biggest risks in your business aren't the bold moves, but the small habits you never question?

In this solo episode of Rich and Remote, Karla Singson Booth talks about the risks she has taken: a career as a competitive poker player, moving to a new country with barely any friends (twice), and starting her first business in an industry she knew nothing about.

After running businesses since 2009, Karla has learned that taking risks and being reckless are two very different things. In this episode, she shares the habits and principles she relies on to lower the odds of failure in business and in life.

Some are simple. Some are uncomfortable. One involves a treadmill and reality TV. And a few of them apply as much to finding the right partner as they do to finding the right clients.

In this episode:

• The step many businesses skip, even after five or 10 years in operation
• What dating has in common with understanding your target market
• The "shortcut" Karla always takes, and why it isn't what you think
• How her competitive debate training changed the way she handles conflict at work and at home
• Why your defaults may be shaping your results more than your motivation

If you've been playing it safe because you're afraid of getting it wrong, this episode offers a smarter way to take the leap.

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That's what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

• (00:00:00) - Intro and welcome to Rich and Remote
• (00:01:19) - Travel update and episode intro
• (00:02:19) - Life transitions, pandemic, and risk-taking journey
• (00:05:43) - Episode preview and support the podcast
• (00:07:39) - Sponsor: Hire an AI VA playbook
• (00:09:09) - Poker, risk-taking background, and business history
• (00:10:24) - Tip 1: Do market research
• (00:13:04) - Applying market research to finding a partner
• (00:15:20) - Tip 2: Crunch the numbers
• (00:18:56) - Being friends with numbers in business and health
• (00:20:24) - Tip 3: Surround yourself with successful people
• (00:21:57) - Tip 4: Be friendly and influential (Dale Carnegie)
• (00:23:57) - Tip 5: Take the shortcut - hire mentors and experts
• (00:28:03) - Tip 6: Argue from the other side
• (00:29:39) - Debate background and seeing both perspectives
• (00:32:15) - Applying devil's advocate to relationships
• (00:34:03) - Tip 7: Write goals daily and track diligently
• (00:36:45) - Tip 8: Manage your defaults
• (00:41:51) - Defaults in daily routines and sleep habits
• (00:43:12) - Recap of all tips and closing thoughts
• (00:45:16) - Outro and sponsor credits

What if the reason you're overwhelmed isn't that you have too much to do, but that you're still doing too much yourself?

In this solo episode of Rich and Remote, Karla Singson Booth gets into one of the hardest parts of building a business: learning how to actually delegate.

Delegation sounds simple, but for many founders, letting go can feel uncomfortable. You may think it will be faster to do something yourself, worry that someone else won't do it properly, or struggle to explain how you want something done.

Karla breaks down why delegation is more than simply handing someone a task. She shares how to prepare work before handing it off, create clearer expectations, build SOPs, use Loom and Slack effectively, and give feedback without taking the work back.

The episode also explores the mindset behind delegation and why becoming the bottleneck in your own business can prevent you from growing.

In this episode:

• Why founders struggle to delegate
• The difference between delegating a task and dumping work on someone
• Why preparation matters before handing something off
• How to create better SOPs
• When to use Loom to explain a process
• How to communicate expectations clearly
• Why delegation requires trust
• How to give feedback without micromanaging
• Why founders sometimes take work back instead of teaching
• How to avoid becoming the bottleneck in your business
• When you should consider getting professional support
• Why delegation is ultimately about creating more capacity for yourself

If you've been telling yourself, "I'll just do it myself, it'll be faster," this episode will make you rethink that habit.

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That's what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

Stop Networking. Start Connecting.

What if the problem with networking is that we're doing it exactly the way we were taught?

In this episode of Rich and Remote, Alex sits down with Jim Morris, keynote speaker and author of Connect or Die: How to Survive AI, to talk about why genuine human connection matters more than ever.

Jim shares how a major turning point in his life taught him that he couldn't navigate everything alone, and why building meaningful relationships can create opportunities far beyond a single business transaction.

The conversation explores what real connection looks like in business, from conferences and sales calls to relationships that continue long after the original deal is done.

In This Episode

• Why traditional networking often leads to shallow connections
• The difference between networking and genuinely connecting
• Why human connection matters even more as AI and automation grow
• How connection can contribute to revenue and business growth
• Why you can't become the greatest version of yourself by yourself
• Jim's personal turning point that changed how he viewed asking for help
• How meaningful relationships can go beyond a single transaction
• Why connection is more than a "soft skill"
• Building relationships that create belonging, trust, and long-term growth

About Jim Morris

Jim Morris is a keynote speaker who helps organizations scale revenue and create deeper belonging by developing the skills to lead with connection for intentional growth.

He is also the author of Connect or Die: How to Survive AI and CEO of Human Touch Publishing.

Booking Link with Jim: https://humantouchpublishing.com/story-ready

Jim Morris LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realjimmorris/

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That's what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

• (00:00:00) - Introduction: The Failure of Traditional Networking
• (00:01:32) - Meet Jim Morris
• (00:02:47) - Jim's Breaking Point: The $240,000 Conference Crisis
• (00:07:19) - Learning You Can't Succeed Alone
• (00:10:12) - The Power of 'What Do You Need?'
• (00:14:38) - Giving Value Without Expecting Return
• (00:16:57) - Body Language, Active Listening, and Compassionate Curiosity
• (00:22:24) - Connection as a Skill: Reps and Personal Brand
• (00:25:17) - Avoiding the Hustle-Culture Networking Trap
• (00:30:22) - Authenticity vs Oversharing: Guardrails for Vulnerability
• (00:35:28) - Reading the Room: Humor and Group Dynamics
• (00:41:50) - Building Trust Through Shared Values and Experiences
• (00:49:46) - Connection in the Age of AI
• (00:56:40) - AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Human Skills
• (01:04:16) - Human Connection as a Business Differentiator
• (01:06:07) - Where to Find Jim and Closing Thoughts

What if using AI well has less to do with knowing the latest tools and more to do with becoming a better leader?

In this solo episode of Rich and Remote, Karla Singson shares the five mindset shifts that have shaped how she and her team approach AI.

Rather than walking through specific tools, workflows, or automations, Karla focuses on the bigger picture: how AI can help you hire better people, reduce burnout, improve the quality of work, solve real business bottlenecks, and make better decisions.

She shares why she believes businesses should hire for critical thinking and abstract reasoning rather than simply looking for AI experience, why leaders need to have an honest conversation with their teams about AI, and why AI should be viewed as a tool for improving work rather than replacing people.

Karla also challenges founders to stop measuring AI purely by hours saved and start looking at the decisions, relationships, quality of life, and business outcomes it improves.

In This Episode:

• Why you should hire for the brain, not the resume
• Why critical thinking and abstract reasoning matter more in the age of AI
• How to identify people who can learn and adapt to new tools
• Why AI fluency is more than a skill listed on a resume
• How to have the AI conversation with your team
• Using AI to reduce burnout instead of simply increasing productivity
• Why AI should improve your team's work, not replace your team
• How AI can become a quality assurance tool
• Why you can outsource labor but not judgment
• Why AI often reveals your bottleneck instead of solving it
• Why you should eliminate before you automate
• How to use AI to solve the right problem instead of simply getting busy faster
• Why founders should count improved decisions, not just hours saved
• The emotional and personal benefits of using AI at work
• Why the businesses that win won't necessarily be the fastest AI adopters
• Why adopting AI on purpose matters more than adopting it quickly

The Big Takeaway

AI isn't just about learning new tools.

It's about becoming a better operator, better decision maker, and better leader. The goal isn't to use AI just because everyone else is using it. The goal is to understand where it can genuinely improve your business, your team, and the way you work.

As Karla puts it, the businesses that will win aren't necessarily the ones that adopted AI fastest. They're the ones that adopted it on purpose.

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pi...

• (00:00:00) - Intro
• (00:01:08) - Sponsor: Hire an AI VA Playbook
• (00:02:15) - Doing AI Right vs Wrong
• (00:03:07) - Purpose of Business Is Profit
• (00:03:35) - Episode Intro: Mindset Shifts Behind AI Growth
• (00:05:20) - Mindset 1: Hire for the Brain, Not the Resume
• (00:06:37) - Critical Thinking and Abstract Reasoning Tests
• (00:08:15) - Story: Dad Learning WordPress
• (00:08:58) - AI Fluency as a Hiring Approach
• (00:09:54) - Mindset 2: Having the Big AI Conversation with Your Team
• (00:11:24) - Investing in Team Learning and Rewards
• (00:13:02) - Mindset 3: AI Checks You, Doesn't Replace You
• (00:13:57) - Human Connection and Team Retreats
• (00:15:15) - Mindset 4: AI Reveals Bottlenecks, Doesn't Replace Them
• (00:16:51) - Eliminate, Automate, Delegate Philosophy
• (00:17:38) - Mindset 5: Count Improved Decisions, Not Just Hours Saved
• (00:19:39) - Closing Thoughts: Adopting AI on Purpose
• (00:20:39) - Outro and Sponsors

You can have the best product in your category and still lose to someone with a worse one because they told a better story.

In this solo episode of Rich and Remote, Karla Singson breaks down how entrepreneurs can build stronger connections with their audiences and turn those relationships into actual business.

She shares why being memorable can matter more than being the most qualified, why strong opinions can help you stand out, how specific stories make your brand more relatable, and why being chosen also means being willing to be rejected.

Karla also talks about what happens after the sale, how small personal touches can deepen customer relationships, and how to outsource parts of your content without losing your voice.

In This Episode

• Why being chosen is more important than simply being liked
• How strong opinions can make your brand memorable
• Why generic "I worked hard" stories don't differentiate you
• How specificity makes your story more powerful
• Why you shouldn't be afraid of being unfollowed or rejected
• Turning audience connection into deeper business relationships
• Why customer connection continues after the sale
• Simple ways to make customers feel more cared for
• How to outsource your content without losing your voice
• Creating workflows that preserve your personality and stories
• Why more eyeballs only matter when you have real connection behind them

QQRR: Quick Question for the Rich and Remote Community

Have a question about growing your online business, building a remote lifestyle, or becoming location independent?

Karla and Alex want to answer your questions on a future episode of Rich and Remote.

Submit your question through the Quick Question for the Rich and Remote Podcast form. Just include your name, email, and your question.

Submit your question: Quick Question for the Rich and Remote Podcast

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That's what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

• (00:00:00) - Being Chosen Means Being Rejected
• (00:00:36) - Rich & Remote: How to Hire an AI Virtual Assistant
• (00:02:31) - How to Connect with Your Enthusiast Community
• (00:07:18) - Think of a Time When You Didn't Speak Out
• (00:12:27) - How to Tell Your Story With Specific Moments
• (00:15:21) - 7 Tips on Being Chosen & Rejected
• (00:19:14) - Brand Building: Touch Points for the Post-Sale
• (00:22:02) - How to Outsource Your Voice to Your Audience
• (00:25:28) - How to Connect Connection with Your Audience
• (00:27:02) - QQR Quick and Remote Question
• (00:28:34) - How to Build a Business without spending any money on ads
• (00:30:21) - What Should I Do About A Bad Facebook Post?
• (00:32:28) - Rich & Remote: Living a Remote Life

What if the key to growing your business isn't getting more customers, but keeping the ones you already have?

In this episode of Rich and Remote, Karla Singson Booth and Alex Booth talk about the connection between customer retention, feedback, trust, and business growth.

They discuss why keeping customers longer can have a huge impact on revenue, how businesses can reduce churn by setting better expectations, and why getting customers to their first meaningful result quickly matters.

Karla and Alex also explore how to collect better customer feedback, why long surveys don't work, and what businesses should actually do with the feedback they receive. They also discuss why generic reviews aren't particularly useful and how better social proof can help customers make more informed decisions.

Ultimately, great retention isn't about constantly selling more. It's about delivering value, listening to customers, and building relationships people want to stay in.

In this episode:

• Why customer retention matters for business growth
• How to reduce churn by managing expectations
• Getting customers to their first meaningful result
• How to collect and use customer feedback
• Why long surveys don't work
• What makes a customer review genuinely useful
• The role of trust and social proof
• Why caring about customers matters more than constant upselling
• How stronger customer relationships create long-term value

Listen to Rich and Remote

• Website: https://richandremote.com/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0nXHDZ2qeYszkrrVoVHMfY
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rich-and-remote-with-alex-and-karla-booth/id1879811727

Explore More

• Rich and Remote Newsletter: https://richandremote.com/
• GetCSM: https://getcsm.com/

Work With Us

Want a steadier pipeline and a team you can rely on? That's what Proximity Outsourcing helps founders build. Book a call: https://proximityoutsourcing.com/book-a-call

Not ready for a full-time hire? Hire An AI VA offers AI-powered virtual assistants for research, content, admin, ops, and marketing, an affordable way to buy back your time. https://hireanaiva.com/

• (00:00:00) - How to Find and Hire an AI Virtual Assistant
• (00:02:45) - Hiring An AI Virtual Assistant
• (00:05:03) - Why Companies Don't Retention Their Clients
• (00:09:55) - The Customer Success Process
• (00:14:45) - How To Calculate LTV?
• (00:18:25) - Expectation Gap in the Consulting Business
• (00:24:07) - Expectation Management
• (00:30:02) - Time to Win: The First Win
• (00:34:45) - What should a founder be thinking about during the first 90 days with
• (00:38:31) - Have You Found The North Star?
• (00:46:22) - How to Win at Customer Retention
• (00:46:37) - What's the Best Way to Get Client Feedback?
• (00:52:27) - How to Ask For Feedback & Referrals
• (00:55:13) - Free LTV and Retention Audit
• (00:57:57) - Alex Jones on CSMS
• (00:58:29) - 3 Takeaways From The Customer Success Mini Audit
• (00:59:19) - Rich & Remote: The Quest for Financial Freedom