Remote Businesses: Has The Digital Nomad Dream Died?
Remote work is here to stay.
When people romanticize remote work, they envision themselves on a European beach, laptop open, as their businesses generate millions in passive income. Unfortunately, this is the fantasy that predatory course sellers promote: "It's so easy! Buy my course and you can do it too."
In reality, most remote work involves sitting in sweatpants and occasionally unmuting on a team call to say, "Nothing to add on my end." Not quite as glamorous.
But what if I told you many entrepreneurs are actually living that nomadic dream—and it isn't dead?
In 2025, more profitable small businesses than ever are operating entirely from laptops—spanning SaaS, e-commerce, digital services, and subscription models.
The best part? Buyers can own cash-flowing companies without being tied to physical locations, large teams, or high fixed costs.
Today we're examining the remote work industry PLUS featuring two deals you can buy right now that could replace herbal teas in your basement office with piña coladas on the beach.
Editor’s note: You may notice a fresh look in today’s newsletter, but rest assured it’s still the same Mainstreet Memo you know and love.
DEAL REVIEWMarketplace SaaS with $400K Revenue
Project Playground is a 14-year-old community events marketplace software helping parents discover local activities. It’s SEO-driven, subscription-based, and fully remote with a small distributed team.
Access the full listing link HERE
Key metrics:
~$400K annual revenue
$136K normalized SDE (FY2024)
50,000+ email subscribers, strong SEO moat
80% recurring revenue from annual contracts
Fully remote team; scalable Django/AWS architecture
You can sign the NDA for this deal HERE
Deal Facts
Video Overview
Check out a video breakdown of Project Playground below:
Hot Takes 🔥
Green Flags 🟢
80% recurring revenue, $320K ARR with high retention
SEO moat and 14-year operating history
50,000+ email list with strong engagement
Fully remote team and scalable tech stack
Clear growth runway: U.S. expansion + influencer-driven content
Red Flags 🔴
Historical EBITDA losses due to fully delegated structure
Advertiser concentration risk (community-focused clients)
Expansion required for next growth leg (U.S. re-entry)
Buyer will need to replace current CEO
Possible Deal Structure: a good ol’ fashion ‘vanilla deal’ of cash + small amount of seller financing.
Overall Deal Spiciness: 🌶🌶🌶🌶*
*Deal Spiciness is a completely subjective rating without a quantitative grading system. Depending on the buyer, a spicy deal may indicate a good thing or a bad thing. Basically, do your own due diligence.
Want to learn more about this deal? Reply to this email with a ‘Send me more details’
INDUSTRY BREAKDOWNIndustry Breakdown: What Are The Best Remote Businesses? 💻
The wellness-aesthetics boom isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Med spas, dermatology-light clinics, concierge primary care, and hybrid wellness centers sit at the collision point of three accelerating forces:
Wellness as status
Preventative health as lifestyle
Cash-pay services replacing insurance frustration
Consumers aren’t just “getting treatments” anymore—they're building a personal wellness stack. And the businesses powering this stack are some of the highest-margin, most recurring-revenue service companies on the market.
For the full dataset, charts, and valuations, read the complete Skincare Clinics M&A Market Report
The Market:
Crazy stat: 16% of companies globally operate with a 100% remote model (source) 🤯
The recent remote-first boom is fueled by inexpensive software tools, outsourced teams, and consumer habits that favor online-first solutions. Segments like digital agencies, e-commerce stores, SaaS products, and subscription content businesses are leading the charge.
Revenue Streams:
SaaS or recurring subscription fees
E-commerce (with 3PL fulfillment)
Service retainers from digital agencies
Memberships, digital courses, and info products
Margins & Multiples:
SaaS: 70–90% gross margins, often trading 4–6x EBITDA
Digital agencies: 20–30% margins, 3–5x SDE
E-commerce: 15–25% margins, 2.5–4x SDE, depending on fulfillment setup
Why It Works: Lean teams, minimal overhead, scalable growth. Buyers get lifestyle flexibility and strong ROI.
Power Ranking Remote Businesses: we created a power-ranking of the top 25 remote businesses that you can review here.
Search Tips for Remote-Friendly Deals 🔍
Where to Look:
BizBuySell
MicroAcquire (tiny SaaS & startups)
Empire Flippers (e-com & SaaS)
Flippa
Buy Signals: What to Look For in a Remote Business ✅
AI is a tailwind to the growth of the business
Documented SOPs and cloud-based workflows
Subscription or retainer-based revenue (predictability = freedom)
Distributed team already in place (contractors or VAs)
Minimal physical assets or inventory requirements
Owner NOT the main operator or rainmaker
Red Flags to Watch Out For 🚨
The business is at threat of being replaced with AI within the next few years
Customer concentration (too reliant on one client or channel)
Heavy founder involvement (if everything runs through them, it’s not remote-friendly)
Outdated tech stack or clunky systems
High churn or dependency on paid ads with no organic traction
Common Deal Structures 📜
Asset Purchase: Buyer takes brand, IP, contracts, and client accounts.
Stock Purchase: Less common unless you’re acquiring team and infrastructure.
Earn-Outs: Often tied to client retention or recurring revenue stability.
Seller Financing: Possible if the business is small and the seller is confident in its stickiness.
Buy or Bust?
Buy - while the pandemic fuelled the acceleration of remote work, it’s here to stay. Buyers who focus on cash flow, systems, and recurring revenue streams can own companies that thrive without a desk, a warehouse, or a daily commute.
The best opportunities?
SaaS products with 3+ years of stability
Agencies with $2–5M revenue and sticky retainers
E-com brands with outsourced logistics and strong DTC channels
Check out these remote-industry deals:
Want to learn more about the remote industry?
Read our full industry report HERE
Recommended Resources 📚
Below is a list of articles, videos, and books we recommend for buyers or operators of small businesses!