Mike Humphrey
Hi, my name is Mike Humphrey. I’m a writer, serial entrepreneur, and lover of the great outdoors. I started as a mining engineer and project manager before realizing that the freedom and flexibility of business were a better fit for me.
I have run hotels, restaurants, and a marketing agency, but I now focus on creating online ventures that allow me to live on my own terms.
I’m passionate about helping people become financially and location independent. With this website, I hope to share my knowledge and inspire others to take their entrepreneurial dreams into their own hands.
How I left the 9-5 to live my dream life in Japan
I used to work 50 hours a week in an office job. But I left the 9 -5 behind to chase my passions and now live in Japan, where I own several businesses and ski more than 100+ days a year. I live in a mountain town and take advantage of all it offers yearly.
Let me show you how to turn your dreams into reality.
Following Traditional Wisdom
Growing up, I followed the standard path of getting an education, landing a good job, getting married, and starting a family.
I pursued an engineering degree, landed a job, worked up the corporate ladder, and enjoyed a successful career. But, deep down, I felt unfulfilled.
I had to get out of the Rat Race.
Throwing Off The Shackles (or so I thought)
Much to the chagrin of friends and family, I quit my high-paying job and moved to Japan with my wife and three boys.
I had been drooling over powder videos from Japan for years, and I didn’t want to become my boss. I wanted to live life now, not sacrifice and wait for retirement.
With the words of Robert Kiyosaki and Tim Ferriss in my head, I took a leap of faith and moved to Japan. We took over a hotel and built a business to support our dream lifestyle.
We developed and grew the business to 2 hotels and a restaurant and were making pretty good money.
A Hard Truth
Covid hit, and our fledgling business was in trouble. We had made good money but needed consistent revenue to support the costs. We shut the hotel and moved the restaurant to a smaller building.
The extreme events were a chance to reflect and recognize the truth: the businesses were not giving us the freedom I desired.
It was the right idea, but the wrong vehicle.
Epiphany Moment
Despite trying to escape the rat race, I created rat race 2.0. The businesses we had built were profitable but still restricted me in terms of time and location.
With the proper knowledge, I could build an online business that would give me the freedom, flexibility, and financial success I was after.
So began my journey into online entrepreneurship. I invested in courses to learn about digital marketing.
The Result
Our restaurant now runs with very little of my direct input, and my online businesses now generate enough income to support our lifestyle without me having to work. I spend my days skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.