Globetrotting Entrepreneurs

04/25/08 - 09:21 AM EDT

Entrepreneur.com

The book -- in its second edition -- has sold more than 5,000 copies since it was published in 2004. For the Whites, it's not about the money they make, but the once-in-a-lifetime experiences they've shared. Not only did they check Mardi Gras off their life list, but they also took a canoe trip on the Rio Grande and attended football games at venues Phil always dreamed of visiting.

Now the Whites mix business with pleasure by integrating trips into business opportunities. Last year, for instance, Phil and Carol were named national spokespeople for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association's "Go RVing" campaign, where they got the chance to embark on a month-long road trip. Carol is also planning to write an article for a grandparenting Web site on an upcoming trip with two of their grandchildren to San Diego.

"This is such a fun, fabulous time of life. We've explored things we couldn't have even imagined," Carol says.

Finding Balance

A globetrotting lifestyle sounds glamorous. But it's not always easy to balance, especially at certain stages of life.

According to Freeman, constant travel forces you to filter your relationships.

"When your in-town time is limited, you only want to spend time with good friends," she says. "Some friends unfortunately get weeded out in the process."

Freeman maintains a relationship with her live-in boyfriend, who she describes as more of a homebody. Freeman says when he does travel with her, they're on the same page, sharing a love for beaches and luxurious hotels.

In the future, Freeman says, she may have to modify her travel-filled schedule.

"I think it will become more difficult to maintain this pace of travel when I do decide to start a family," she says. "I'll just have to modify it in a way that works with my life."

The Jensens have taken on the challenge of modifying their lifestyle since their recent adoption of a 4-year-old girl, Gellila, from an orphanage in Ethiopia.

"We will have to organize our travel better now with our daughter -- it does become a bit more complicated," Garry says. "Right now we plan on taking her with us since she's not missing school yet."

Have Business, Will Travel

Blair predicts all entrepreneurs will need to be well-suited to travel.

"Entrepreneurs need to understand that travel will be a [necessary] component in order to have a successful business in the 21st century," Blair says.

For the Jensens, Whites and Freeman, that shouldn't be a problem.

"Our 'bucket list' for travel is never-ending," Carol says. "We'll travel until we can't do it any longer."

1 2 3
Next Page »
For bios of and stories by Entrepreneur.com columnists, please click here. For more information about Entrepreneur.com click here.
Your Recent Quotes: Quote Up0 | Quote Down0
Dow S&P 500 NASDAQ
Oil*
Gold
10 Yr
0.00%
%
%
%
Data delayed 20 min
Sign up for our FREE newsletters now. See All

  • Cramer's Daily Booyah!
  • Before the Bell

Premium Stock Ideas
Access Action Alerts Plus to find out Cramer’s latest picks now!

Premium Services