The Story of South East Asia Backpacker | with Founder Nikki Scott

We chat with Nikki Scott, founder of the legendary South East Asia Backpacker Magazine - the very first print magazine for backpackers in Southeast Asia, launched in 2008. 🌏🎒👧

Speaking from her home in Spain, Nikki shares how, at just 23 years old, she swapped a job in advertising in rainy Manchester for a one-way plane ticket ✈️ to Kathmandu.

What began as a simple backpacking trip through Southeast Asia turned into an extraordinary adventure in both travel and entrepreneurship—one she never could have imagined!

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a travel business, living abroad, or reinventing your life through adventure, this episode is for you!

In this conversation, we explore the real ups and downs of following your passion, navigating setbacks, and building something that continues to inspire thousands of travellers around the world. ❤️

We cover:

• Dreaming up innovative business ideas while on the road
• The highs and lows of running a business in Thailand and navigating cultural differences
• A creative distribution network that delivered a print magazine by tuk tuk, boat, bus, and bicycle
• Adapting to massive shifts in technology and media - from the rise of travel blogs to social media, digital magazines, Google algorithm shake-ups, and now AI
• The realities of female entrepreneurship, digital nomadism, and solo female travel
• Coping with the tragic loss of a loved one in a foreign culture
• Lessons learned along the way - as both an entrepreneur and a mother of two daughters

📖 Want the full story? Check out Nikki’s 5-star rated book on Amazon: Backpacker Business, One girl’s journey from wide-eyed traveller to worldwide entrepreneur.

💌 For news, stories, tips and inspiration for your next trip to Southeast Asia, sign up for the South East Asia Backpacker Newsletter!