10 Key Principles That Built a $40M Business While Traveling with Dan Demsky

Zero To Travel Podcast

Jason Moore

Entrepreneurship, Places & Travel, Business, Society & Culture

4.5 • 828 Ratings

🗓️ 3 April 2025

⏱️ 95 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What if you could build a business that funds your dream lifestyle without sacrificing travel and freedom? Dan Demsky is the co-founder and CEO of Unbound Merino, a premium Merino wool clothing brand that has redefined minimalist, high-performance fashion. Dan has built Unbound Merino into an eight-figure global business while working fully remotely as a digital nomad. Since launching via a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, Unbound Merino has grown to be a $40M global brand beloved by travelers, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to simplify their wardrobe with sustainable, multi-functional clothing. In this episode, Dan shares how he built Unbound Merino, the mindset shifts and tactics that helped him succeed, and the lessons he learned from running a business while traveling the world. Dan breaks down the realities of entrepreneurship, from validating an idea to choosing a product, hiring, and staying motivated when things get tough. He also shares the challenges of managing a growing brand while staying true to a lifestyle of adventure and exploration. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a digital nomad, or just someone looking for inspiration to take the next step, Dan’s story offers insights and practical takeaways on business, lifestyle design, and the power of taking risks. What’s one small step you could take today to move closer to your dream lifestyle? I'd love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. Premium Passport: Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now! Tune In To Learn: How Dan and his co-founders built a brand without prior industry experience Why he believes everyone should start a business with their best friends, despite the challenges Why getting brutally honest feedback is crucial and how to actually use it How a simple mindset shift helped Dan take the leap into entrepreneurship Why one of the biggest lessons in business came from a failed product idea The biggest factor that helped Unbound Merino stand out in a crowded market The surprising way travel influences decision-making as an entrepreneur How to handle risk and uncertainty without letting fear hold you back The one thing Dan believes every aspiring entrepreneur should prioritize And so much more Resources: Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport Sign up for our FREE newsletter Check out Unbound Merino Follow Unbound Merino on Instagram Fairing Scaling Up Want More? How to Grow Your Location Independent Solopreneur Business in 2025 + Advice from 8 Years of Slow, Nomadic Travel with Jeremy Enns Traveling on $10 a Day to Building a 7-Figure Business with The Broke Backpacker Will Hatton Building, Growing, and Enjoying a Successful 7-Figure Lifestyle Business with Dan Andrews from Tropical MBA Thanks to Our Sponsors Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order. Visit Baltimore - Start planning your visit to Charm City today! Harvest Hosts - Use code TRAVEL20 for 20% off your Harvest Hosts membership. Booking.com - Book your next stay and find exactly what you’re looking for on booking.com. Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Here's the easiest way to pack light for any length trip and to avoid baggage fees forever.
0:06.0	Invest in high quality clothing that you love, that looks good, and that is made out of the right
0:11.0	material.
0:11.8	That's exactly what they do over at Unbound Marino.
0:14.9	They make high quality stylish clothing and it's made out of my all-time favorite material,
0:19.6	marino wool.
0:20.4	It never wrinkles, never gets smelly, it dries fast, and it regulates out of my all-time favorite material, Marino wool. It never wrinkles, never
0:21.3	gets smelly, it dries fast, and it regulates your temperature in all seasons. You need to see
0:26.5	what they have over there. Check out Unbound Marino. You go to zero to travel.com slash unbound
0:31.8	and use the discount code Travel 10 to get 10% off. That's Travel and the number 10 to get 10% off as a new customer.
0:41.4	Thanks to Unbound Marino for supporting today's show.
0:44.6	Here's the thing about Baltimore. It's a lot more than just crap. This is the home of Frederick
0:50.6	Douglas, the national anthem and the famous lemon stick, where Orioles and
0:55.7	Ravens and even Flamingos live year-round. Our alleys are filled with art. Our buildings hold
1:01.7	history between every brick and the waterfront is always at the forefront. It will truly
1:06.8	take you by surprise. But you won't get it until you get here.
1:13.5	Plan your visit now at Baltimore.org.
1:19.0	You're a traveler, so I know you love to find those unique and fun places to stay when you're out on the road. Well, how about combining, for example, scenic views with some seriously
1:23.8	adorable alpacas? You can cuddle them, you can feed them, you can get a ridiculous
1:28.4	selfie with them. Local farms are just one example of the type of host locations you can find
1:34.0	through Harvest hosts, which is sponsoring this podcast. If you own or even just occasionally rent an
1:40.3	RV, you can forget about parking at boring rest areas or big box boondocking. This is
	...

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