Can I be honest with you? Six months ago, Ric and I had no idea what we were doing.

We knew remote work needed something different. Something beyond productivity hacks and tech recommendations.

But would anyone actually care?

That first newsletter draft sat on my screen for days. We must have rewritten it twelve times.

"Is this too personal?" I kept asking Ric. "Will people think we're unprofessional?"

I worried we were breaking too many "business newsletter" rules. No corporate speak. No perfectly polished perfection. Just real talk about remote work—the good, the bad, and everything in between.

We deeply believe, "remote work isn't just about WHERE you work. It's about HOW you live."

When we hit publish, I held my breath.

Then the emails started coming in.

"Finally, someone who gets it!"

"I thought I was the only one struggling with isolation."

"This is exactly what I've been looking for."

I read every single response, often with a swelled heart. Not because I'm particularly emotional (hey, it happens), but because I realized we'd tapped into something real.

Remote workers weren't just looking for tips. They were looking for connection.

Six months later, I've learned more than I could have imagined.

I've learned that remote work is as much about mindset as it is about

I locked in the understanding that vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the fastest route to authentic connection.

I've learned that when we share our struggles openly, we create a safe space for others to do the same.

"The greatest success has been seeing our readers embrace the idea of personal sovereignty—owning our time, our careers, and our well-being and being empowered to engineer it our own way."

Most importantly, I've learned that this community isn't about Ric or me - at all. We surely have not mastered this yet!

It's about all of us, figuring out this remote work thing together.

Remember when everyone thought remote work was just a pandemic trend?

Now we know better. This isn't a temporary shift—it's a revolution in how we approach work, life, and the blurry space that separates them.

And that's exactly what Thrive Remotely is building: not just a newsletter, but a movement.

A community of people who believe work should fit into life, not the other way around.

Thank you for being part of this journey. For opening our emails, joining our events, and sharing your stories.

The best is truly yet to come.

With gratitude and excitement, Shellie (& Ric too!)

It’s hard to believe it’s been six months since we launched Thrive Remotely. on a mission—and we’re on one with purpose! When we started this journey, we (Ric and Shellie) had one clear, powerful goal: to help remote workers not just survive—but thrive. 

Ric Pratte: Visionary and Connector

For those of you who don’t know Ric, he’s the founder of Thrive Remotely and AVL Digital Nomads. He’s a career entrepreneur who’s led high-growth companies in B2B and SaaS. His real magic lies in his ability to connect people and create a space where everyone can thrive. Ric’s vision for Thrive Remotely is simple yet revolutionary: to empower remote workers by fostering community, sharing ideas, and providing the support needed to succeed—wherever you are. It’s all about the balance for Ric—balance in work, life, and community.

Shellie Sullivan: Building a Thriving Remote Community

As for me, Shellie, it’s been incredibly fulfilling to channel all of my experiences into creating a community of remote workers who support one another and grow together. I’ve always been a firm believer that success doesn’t just come from what we do at work—it’s about building a life we love. At Thrive Remotely, our goal is to give remote workers the tools, resources, and connections to create that life. Empowerment, fulfillment, and well-being are at the heart of everything we do.

Onwards

Looking back at these first six months, we’ve learned so much. We’re incredibly grateful to have each and every one of you with us on this journey.

But, here’s the truth: we’re just getting started. 

Stay tuned for what’s next because together, we’re going to make 2025 the year we all truly thrive!

Let’s do this! 🎉

— Shellie (& Ric too)

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