What running a business on the road really looks like
Troy McLachlan and Areti Comino didn’t leave their businesses behind when they hit the road - because they couldn’t. Instead of stepping away, they stepped into a different version of work. One that moves with them.
Troy said they had two options: Either work on the road or not go at all.
So, they went. And work came with them. Here’s what that actually looks like and what they’ve learned along the way.
You Don't Need the Perfect Setup - You Just Need to Start
For them, the decision wasn’t “work on the road or take a holiday,” it was simply: work on the road or don’t go at all. There was no version of this where their businesses just… stopped. Troy runs a mortgage processing and lending business with teams across Australia and overseas. Areti runs multiple gyms. People rely on them.
So the idea of “taking time off” simply didn’t exist. Instead, the mindset became: if we travel, we work. They didn’t over-plan or lock themselves into a rigid system. Instead, they gave it a trial run, knowing they could pause, come home or change direction if needed. Eventually, they got used to working off just a laptop instead of being in front of a computer with three screens and switching in person meetings for remote ones.
You’ll Probably Work More, Not Less
There’s a common assumption that working on the road equals working less. Troy and Areti’s experience was the opposite. People back home sometimes still assume they’re “on holiday,” but the reality is closer to a full workday (or longer), just in a different location.
“I still get it every now and then… ‘are you still on bloody holidays or what?’” Troy said. “I’m like mate, I work on the road.”
They still take their meetings and plan their trip around work schedules, making sure they won’t be off the grid while something important is happening.
Areti found she was able to take a step back and look at her businesses from a different perspective. “You can be in an office all day, you get distracted and bogged down. I’d go into my gyms and get asked a million questions,” she said. But once she’d taken that step back, she was able to see where there were some gaps and build some processes to fix them.
“I’ve been able to learn more about my business as well because I’m not entrenched in it,” she said.
Build Boundaries So Work Doesn't Follow You Everywhere
When your office is your van, there’s no automatic end to the day. That’s where structure becomes non-negotiable. So they created some simple rules – laptops get packed away, devices get closed. Work has a place and it doesn’t sit in front of them 24/7.
“You want to be able to tuck it away and not be looking at the work stuff all day,” Areti said.
They’ve brought more of a work-life balance to their days, often taking time out to enjoy where they are.
Their travel motto is “there’s no tomorrow”, so they work hard so they can enjoy where they’re visiting.
“Whilst it’s stressful and you have stressful days, you’re getting a little bit of a sugar hit by going for a walk at a nice beach in the afternoon that you wouldn’t get to do when you’re at home, busy and stressed. But because we might never be back in this location ever again, we’ll work hard and go, ‘All right, the weather’s beautiful, it’s four o’clock, let’s go and do a walk and check out some things.’ Or you know it’s a lunch time swim and then come back and work hard again,” she said.
Reliable Internet is the One Thing You Can't Compromise On
Reliable internet isn’t optional, it’s essential. Their setup includes a Starlink Mini system, giving them consistent access almost anywhere. They also carry practical backups like a compact travel printer and standard devices — nothing flashy, just what actually gets the job done.
If you need suggestions for your own internet set up, you can read our tips here - Choosing Internet for Van Life: What You Need to Think About on the Road.
For Troy and Areti, working on the road wasn’t a lifestyle choice but a practical necessity they had to figure out. In the process, they proved that work doesn’t have to hold you back from travel, it can move with you.
Follow Troy and Areti's adventures as The Thrivin' Wanderers on Facebook and Instagram.
