Episode•October 13, 2022•14 min

Controlling Your Destiny with Jonathan Green | Ep. 147

Jonathan Green joins Tiffany this week to walk through his model of entrepreneurship, how he built an online business, and ultimately the freedom that came from it, with him now living on a tropical island with his family. About Our Guest Jonathan Green is the bestselling author of 300+ books, a celebrity ghostwriter, and a high-ticket affiliate marketer who now lives on a tropical island in the South Pacific. Connect with Jonathan Green Instagram:@servenomaster Facebook:servenomasterhttps://www.facebook.com/servenomasterConnect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy

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Key Takeaways

1
Build your business for location independence from the start
Jonathan shifted from local Nashville services to phone/international clients to eliminate in-person requirements
Transitioned to fully digital products, courses, and services that could be delivered from anywhere
Chose freedom and control over traditional growth paths like offices and employees
2
Living abroad can dramatically increase purchasing power
A 6-bedroom beachfront house with pool costs $1,500/month in the South Pacific vs. $20-50k in Hawaii
Monthly food costs for 10 people (family + staff) run $1,000-$1,500
Private international school for 3 kids costs $12,000/year total
3
Digital nomad visas make relocation accessible with modest income
Many countries require only $2,000-$3,000/month baseline income for visas
Countries actively seek entrepreneurs and offer welcoming policies
Moving abroad effectively doubles income due to lower cost of living
4
Treat local staff with dignity and fair wages
Jonathan pays staff double the local rate plus provides housing and meals
Goodwill in the community provides safety net during crises like natural disasters
Avoids the 'hated rich expat' trap by investing in local relationships

Intro

Tiffany explores how Jonathan Green built an online business that enabled him to live on a tropical South Pacific island with his family, trading traditional business growth for location freedom and dramatically lower costs.
Jonathan Green is a bestselling author of 300+ books, celebrity ghostwriter, and high-ticket affiliate marketer living on a tropical island in the South Pacific.

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– From Nashville to Location Independence

Jonathan started with local services in Nashville but wanted control over his destiny. He shifted to phone and international clients, then fully digital products and courses, eliminating the need for physical presence.

I don't want to be in the situation where I want to have kind of control of my destiny.
– Jonathan Green

– Choosing Freedom Over Traditional Growth

While peers built offices and hired employees, Jonathan prioritized travel and beach living. He spent six months traveling before settling in the South Pacific after meeting his wife.

Freedom for me is more important than pure finance.
– Jonathan Green

– Housing Costs: $1,500 for a Cliffside Mansion

Jonathan rents a 6-bedroom house with private pool on a cliff overlooking the ocean for $1,500/month. Owning land is risky due to unclear property laws, so renting provides agility.

If this was like in Hawaii, it would be twenty to fifty thousand dollars a month.
– Jonathan Green

– Monthly Budget Breakdown

Food for 10 people (family + 4 staff) costs $1,000-$1,500/month. Utilities run $500-$600. Private school for 3 kids is $12,000/year. Taekwondo adds $80-$100/month per child.

If we go to a restaurant, like a really high-end restaurant here, me and my wife and get a bottle of wine, it will be $40 to $50.
– Jonathan Green

– Paying Staff Fair Wages Creates Community Goodwill

Jonathan pays staff double local rates and provides housing and meals. During a natural disaster, community relationships proved essential for safety. He warns against being 'the hated rich person.'

A lot of the goodwill you pour out can end up coming back to you when it's the least expected, but you need it the most.
– Jonathan Green

– How to Move Abroad: It's Easier Than You Think

The biggest barrier is lack of information. Many countries offer digital nomad or foreign worker visas requiring only $2,000-$3,000/month income. Mexico, Bahamas, and Virgin Islands are highlighted as accessible options.

It's like doubling your wage. So it's not difficult other than the things that keep us tied to home.
– Jonathan Green

Topics

location independencedigital nomadexpat livingcost of livingentrepreneurshiponline businessSouth Pacificremote workfinancial freedominternational relocation