A crowded market in Bangkok. A train station in Rome. A night market in Oaxaca where your last large bill won’t get you through the next stall’s cash-only checkout. For most travelers, these moments are mild inconveniences. For entrepreneurs, they can be the spark that reignites clarity, challenges assumptions, and redefines how they approach their work.
Robert Hoffman, CEO of Xchange of America, has built a business on removing friction from international travel, but he also sees travel itself as a powerful driver of innovation and adaptability. Years of crossing continents have shown him that the entrepreneurial benefits go far beyond the postcard moments.
Clarity through contrast
Experiencing the everyday realities of other economies can sharpen perspective in ways no industry report can. “Whether I’m experiencing the cash-first economy of a remote island or watching how seamlessly Europeans blend digital and physical payments, I’m constantly exposed to systems, tools, and behaviors that challenge the American norm,” Hoffman says. These contrasts don’t pull him away from his business; they send him back with new ways of thinking.
Stepping into a market where the rules, habits, and expectations differ forces entrepreneurs to see what they may have taken for granted at home. This reset in perspective often reveals hidden inefficiencies, overlooked opportunities, and fresh approaches that can be directly applied to business strategy.
Resilience in real time
International travel has a way of serving up unplanned tests. Hoffman sees these moments as more than travel anecdotes. They’re training grounds for entrepreneurial agility. “Missed trains, language barriers, power outages, and ‘cash-only’ surprises are valuable experiences that train you to think fast, pivot without panic, and find solutions in unfamiliar terrain,” he explains.
In business, adaptability is often the difference between surviving and thriving. Travel offers a low-stakes but high-impact environment to practice those skills, creating a mental flexibility that carries over into high-pressure boardrooms and client negotiations.
Removing distractions to reap the rewards
Of course, the benefits of international travel are only unlocked when the journey itself is relatively stress-free. That’s where Hoffman’s work comes in: “When you’re halfway across the world, the last thing you should be worrying about is where to get cash. We make it simple to obtain the correct currency, in a timely manner, with live customer service to confirm your destination’s needs and get it to you fast.”
By eliminating logistical headaches, entrepreneurs can focus on the immersion, observation, and creative recharge that make travel such a valuable investment in their professional growth.
Inspiration in the unexpected
For Hoffman, certain destinations offer a special kind of inspiration. Thailand, for example, stands out for its blend of accessibility, hospitality, and cultural richness. “Thai people are possibly the kindest I’ve encountered… they are also family-focused, show excellent hospitality, and their food is outstanding,” he says. Whether it’s a longtail boat ride or a plate of basil chicken from a market stall, the experience offers a reminder that innovation often comes from noticing and appreciating simple, authentic moments.
Ultimately, international travel isn’t just a break from work. For entrepreneurs, it’s a high-yield investment in perspective, adaptability, and creativity. It’s a way to challenge habits, encounter new systems, and strengthen the skill that every leader needs most — the ability to see the familiar with fresh eyes.
As Hoffman’s experience shows, when you step into a new culture with curiosity and intention, the return on investment goes far beyond the miles traveled. You return with a sharper vision, a more adaptable mindset, and a renewed sense of why your work matters — the kind of clarity that can only be earned by stepping outside your own borders.