I follow my curiosity and “fire” around decisions and experiences so that I enjoy my life in every phase.
For the past four years, Jenita Lawal has been living abroad in Merida, Mexico operating her own home-based travel agency, coaching a few clients a year, and taking on select freelance gigs (HR, project management). The idea to escape the 9-5 job and live abroad first started around 2012 when Jenita visited Puerto Rico. “I wanted more travel, more freedom, more autonomy, more life. But at that time, my kids were still very young and I needed a support system (as a single mother)”.
The bug didn’t hit Jenita again until January 2017 when she visited Merida, Mexico for her 40th birthday. “There was something about the city that just resonated with me. Before I left, I knew in my gut that I would someday live there. My “logical” self figured I would set a ten-year plan and retire early. That ten years turned into one! “
Jenita was beginning to get very dissatisfied with her career as an Asset Manager for a hospitality development firm. No one cared about the reports she spent so much time putting together. No one cared about her copious notes from her property visits or her thoughts on various community initiatives. Add to that, Jenita had the displeasure of working under a mediocre micro-manager who chipped away at the joys she did have about her job.
Gaining Clarity
“In October 2017, I signed up for a group coaching program and it changed my life. The clarity I gained from doing the work made me step up and believe that I could have the life that I kept imagining. ” Jenita could spend the day at her kids’ soccer game and not feel like she would be looked down upon by her coworkers. She could see them off to school without the anxiety of rushing to a meeting or being at her desk by a certain time. Then she could be there when they got home and actually enjoy time with them.
She also signed up for Spanish class at the local community center and researched housing costs in Merida. She also researched homeschooling options and ways to make money on her own. This included her travel agency which she started in 2016 as a side-hustle. “The information from hostagencyreviews.com noted that the average salary for a travel advisor wass $36,000 annual. While that’s not great in the United States, I knew it would be a good base income for living in Mexico. So, that became my income target for my business. I based my choices on that salary.”
In addition to operating her travel agency, Jenita completed a course to become a certified coach and obtained TEFL certification. Her goal was to establish ways to earn income since she would not be working a conventional job.
Taking the Plunge
“In January 2018, I took my three sons on a trip to Merida, Mexico so they could get firsthand experience and warm up to the idea. In April 2018, I handed in my two weeks notice. In August 2018, I sold my house. On September 16, 2018 I flew to Mexico with my three sons and about six suitcases. “
For about a year, Jenita was an English tutor through Preply.com. She stopped doing that in February 2020 to take on a freelance marketing project management gig. She did that for about 19 months before it began to feel too much like another 9-5. That contract ended in October 2021 and since that time she has been focused on her travel business augmented with a couple of coaching clients and selective freelance gigs that align with her need for time freedom.
“I don’t think I could ever go back to working a conventional 9-5 job. Mondays, I don’t book client calls or meetings. I use those days for “mesh” work, like training and research. I can work half a day then stop and go to a Friday meet-up with my kids. This month, I spent 11 days in Saint Lucia and was able to work, research the destination, and still take client calls. There are challenges to this life, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Covid Changed Things
Jenita’s travel business was hit very hard but she just pivoted and focused more on freelance work. She had already been working solely online since 2018, so that part didn’t impact her. It was the hit to the travel industry that had her considering a different path. I am gla”d I kept my business open and pushed through. Now, I am back to focusing 90% on my travel business with a couple of consulting and coaching clients.”
Living and Learning
Because of her freedom, Jenita has been able to create and admin a teen group for her community. She is also about to start mentoring college students through a local library. “I don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to participate or get time off. I set my schedule and work clients around my life, not the other way around.” Today, Jenita is leaning towards being more of an investor and enjoying the ease of wealth instead of following a hustle lifestyle. “I vibrate at the frequency of freedom and ease of wealth.”
Jenita just doesn’t help others. She works on herself as well. She took personal coaching from Mamiett Tucker and business coaching through Nicole Walters. She also listens to podcasts such as Zero to Travel, Location Indie, Radical Personal Finance, Social Proof Podcast, Cliff Ravenscraft (for mindset), Optimal Living Daily. Some of her favorite books include:
- From Trash Man to Cash Man
- Outwitting the Devil
- Think & Grow Rich
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad
- Outliers
- Richer, Wiser, Happier
- Essentialism
Having weathered the Covid storm, Jenita is pushing forward with her travel business as well as with her other endeavors. “Have the courage to dream big and act boldly. Not everyone will understand, but they don’t have to. It’s your journey, not theirs. For every choice you make, there is some trade-off. Make peace with the trade-off and you won’t have any regrets.”
Catch up with Jenita at any of the links below:
Primary URL: www.jenitalawal.com
Her travel websites are www.lawaltravel.com and www.tripsbylts.com
