How this Dubai-based entrepreneur built million-dollar business while travelling the world
In an age where Wi-Fi is wealth and freedom is the new currency, few embody the digital nomad dream quite like Sarah Harris. The New Zealand-born model turned entrepreneur, now based in Dubai, has transformed her life—and the lives of thousands of her followers—through a blend of business savvy, personal branding, and unshakeable belief in living life on her own terms.
With 2.6 million Instagram followers and a digital empire built around travel, lifestyle, and financial freedom, Harris is more than just a pretty face. She's proof that with the right mindset, anyone can trade the 9-5 grind for a passport and a purpose.
'The shift from modelling to entrepreneurship was actually a really natural progression,' Sarah reflects. 'I became more aware of the pressure the industry was putting on my body and mental health. Social media gave me an outlet to share more of my journey—and I quickly saw the financial potential of it.'
What started as a visual diary evolved into a full-scale business platform. Through iamsarahharris.com, she now teaches others how to monetise their scroll time and build location-independent income. But this freedom wasn't handed to her.
'The turning point was actually a deal I made with my mum,' she says. 'I left university—on a scholarship, no less—on the condition that if I didn't earn at least half my expected grad salary within a year, I'd go back. A year later, I was earning double.'
For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the leap into the unknown is scary. But Harris believes that uncertainty is something to be embraced—not feared.
'I always had unstable income—whether it was modelling or a student job,' she says. 'I advise people to start building their online income gradually while working their 9-5. Save enough to cushion a few quiet months.'
Her digital products, designed for ease and efficiency, are built with this transition in mind. 'People think they need hours. But with Done-For-You products, you can start in the same time it takes to scroll Instagram.'
Sarah's Instagram might suggest a life of sun-kissed resorts and beachside brunches, but behind the lens is a structured system.
'A typical workday? It starts with tragic Wi-Fi at a cute café and ends back at the hotel working efficiently. I batch content, manage emails and DMs, and handle my digital product ecosystem—all within a few focused hours,' she says. 'The whole point of this lifestyle is freedom. If I'm working all day, I may as well be in an office.'
Her secret? Morning CEO mode. 'Phone on Do Not Disturb, clear goals, then off to swim with dolphins if the chance arises. That's the balance.'
The myths of the digital nomad life
Harris is quick to debunk the fantasy that digital entrepreneurship is all coconuts and beach laptops.
'It's not a permanent vacation. I've launched products from airport gates with dodgy Wi-Fi. It's incredible—but it's a lifestyle you work to sustain.'
Still, the payoff is worth it. She credits her success to consistency, strategy, and understanding that perfection is the enemy of progress.
'You don't need 100K followers to start monetising. You need a niche, a strategy, and something you actually enjoy. You're better off launching a B+ product with A+ consistency than sitting on the perfect idea forever.'
Her advice for those dreaming of location independence? Treat it like a job—before it becomes one.
'Build the habits, systems, and monthly income targets before hopping on a plane. My first milestone was Dh25,000 a month. From there, the lifestyle followed.'
And while Bali remains a hot spot for nomads, Harris champions more underrated locales. 'I chose Dubai over Bali for a reason—the Wi-Fi, the café culture, and the networking scene are second to none. But if you're set on Bali, try Pererenan. It's like Canggu without the chaos.'
Now, Sarah is turning her journey into a tangible roadmap for others.
'I'm building a comprehensive blueprint that takes you from 'desk to destination,'' she reveals. 'From pitching hotels to creating high-converting content and forming lasting brand relationships—it's everything I wish I had when I started.'
For Harris, it's about making freedom accessible. 'It's not just about travel—it's about building a life on your terms.'
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