Meet Emily Wilson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emily Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emily below.

Hi Emily, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

I am in my 40s, and I did something that seemed both thrilling and risky—I quit my stable job and became a digital nomad, traveling the world with my dogs. That might sound like a wild adventure, but the truth is, I’m actually quite risk-averse. I’ve always preferred to have a plan and be prepared for what’s coming next. So while this lifestyle can be pretty unpredictable, I feel like I am learning to adapt so that I can more readily take these leaps. Hopefully I have packed enough parachutes in case things go sideways!

I spent my career managing programs in an educational setting, which requires the ability to anticipate and mitigate risks. So what on earth had me jump into such foreign territory as a slow traveler and content creator? It wasn’t an overnight decision. The burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in pushing me to seek a new pace of life. I have always loved traveling, but for years it always seemed too risky to pursue full time. During the chaos of the pandemic, something clicked and I didn’t want just a “someday maybe” dream. It was time to actually make it happen.

To take the risk and make this radical change I had to focus more on finding creative ways to adapt. My cautious and analytic nature helped me to identify issues, but now I had to dig deeper and approach it like a puzzle to figure out and solve. As an example I needed to figure out how to afford this crazy idea. My house is something I invested a lot of time and care into over the years, but instead of keeping it as my cherished home, I turned it into a multi-unit rental. I also needed to manage the rental remotely, which for mid-term rentals requires a small team and a lot of coordination. On top of all that, I still had to find some kind of magic to turn this small rental income into enough to support my travels and new life. Each of these are risks to manage with creativity and persistence. What might look like a spontaneous adventure was actually the result of careful planning, strategic decision-making and a lot of hard work.

Each step has required taking a risk, some big and some small. Some things worked, others have failed, but staying creative through it all has allowed me to be on the journey of a lifetime!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My professional focus now is on my website, “Pets Around the World.” It’s a comprehensive resource for pet owners who love to travel or are planning to move with their pets. I started the website because, during my travels, I often struggled to find the information I needed about traveling with pets. I knew there must be others out there facing the same challenges, and I wanted to create a resource to help them.

The most exciting aspect of this work is connecting with a community of pet lovers and travelers from all over the globe. Each day, I get to share tips, stories, and advice that make traveling with pets easier and more enjoyable. What makes my work special is the blend of personal experience and practical information. Every article, guide, or tip comes from a place of firsthand knowledge. I’ve lived the challenges and joys of traveling with pets, and I’m passionate about making this lifestyle accessible to others.

Starting a website has been even more difficult and longer to see results than I was expecting. It’s a risky endeavor, but I am pursuing it because I want to help other people like myself, and it’s a fun challenge to learn and try something new. The best part is collaborating with others and meeting so many new and supportive people. I aim to continue building a network and relationships with people in both the pet world and the travel world. Since I love building the community so much, I recently started the Facebook group, Dog Travel Tips, for other people who like to travel with their pets too.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, there are three key qualities that have been most impactful in my journey:
Determination: Staying committed to my vision, even when the path wasn’t clear, has been crucial.
Adaptability: Traveling with pets requires a lot of flexibility. Plans change, unexpected challenges arise, and being able to adapt quickly has been a lifesaver.
Empathy: Understanding the needs and concerns of other pet owners has helped me create content that truly resonates. Empathy allows me to connect with my audience on a deeper level and offer real, meaningful support.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Managing my time while exploring new places is definitely a challenge, but the toughest part has been diving into all the new skills I need to learn—things like web design, email marketing, and SEO. Finding the time to do everything and figuring out how to prioritize has been a balancing act, especially because I want to spend quality time with my dogs and truly enjoy the places we are visiting.

Building “Pets Around the World” has been a journey of taking risks, embracing change, and following my passion. It’s about more than just a business; it’s a lifestyle and a community that supports and inspires pet owners to explore the world with their dogs.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Peter Mulroe
Chris Prudhomme

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