Digital Creator & Coach, Stockholm

Hi Sandy! How are you doing, and what are you up to today?

Hi, I’m fine thank you. So happy that spring finally hit Stockholm, I had a great run outside yesterday and can’t wait until we’re able to eat our breakfast on the terrace. We just moved to our new apartment in Mälarhöjden with a beautiful ocean view and are renovating the bathroom. There is dust everywhere and so many decisions have to be made! But renovating and re-arranging the rooms is a lot of fun. We are also re-painting all walls and Jonathan, my partner, has a great eye for details. We are longing to move in once the dusty process is done :)

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background: where did you grow up, where are you based now and what do you do for a living? We know you’re a woman of many trades!

I grew up in Stockholm, with a German mother and Italian/Austrian father. My mother-tongue is German but my soul is latin. Having lived in Barcelona and Costa Rica, I am also fluent in Spanish. I love Stockholm and the summers here are amazing, though winters are really ruff. I need sun, surf and fresh fruits every day (I know Henry Rude can relate).

Professionally I teach digital marketing and also work as a digital creator, mainly focusing on various video production. Together with Jonathan I run SoonNoon Hats, a brand that produces custom made fur felt hats in Stockholm and ships worldwide. We love being creative together, there is no time for Netflix and chill in our house, haha!

You lived as a digital nomad for many years – how did you first get into that?

I used to work as a web producer at a Swedish radio station and got the chance to record Sweden’s first ever travel podcast. The project took me to 9 different countries on three continents. A new world opened and back at the office it only took me a couple of months until I’d wait my day job to get back out in the world. My adventures include traveling solo from Stockholm to Beijing back and forth only by train, taking the bus from Mexico to Costa Rica and hitch hiking from coast to coast in New Zeeland.

What’s the best thing with living the nomad life and what was the most difficult?

The best part is the flexibility and possibilities it creates. Meeting new people, talking about things that you never spoke of, getting inspired every day by new impressions and develop ones creativity after each adventure is an amazing feeling! The difficult part, for me at least, is that life from a backpack can be super tiring and I need a base. Stockholm is my base and the world my comfort zone. I still long for adventure, but need to “come home” and breath, digest thoughts, feeling and experiences. 

If you would settle down in any other country than Sweden, which country would it be and why?

Probably a Spanish speaking country! Jonathan is French and we dream of having a summer house somewhere in the south of Europe. Hopefully someday in the future we’re able to have more than just one base :) 

What’s a place or country you haven’t visited yet but that’s on top of your list?

My bucket list right now features Georgia (Tbilisi of course, but I’d love to hike there in the mountains), Hawaii (surfing) and Sicily – where we’re actually will go this September! Can’t wait! 

What inspires you in life? Both in general and work wise.

Working out helps me to be creative and I love being outdoors. Meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone is a big inspiration in life. Trying new things is the best! Work wise teaching as been key and my students give me loads of ideas and energy. 

What's your favorite piece from the Henry Rude collection and why?

I like the Strap Bag in various colors as it’s the perfect size for daily life. And adventures abroad! The colors and prints bring me back to life as a digital nomad – my trip with bus from Cape Town to Nairobi was a life changer. Henry Rude has collected amazing prints and their bags are the perfect accessory.

What song are you currently listening to on repeat?

Oooooooh! The hardest question haha! I used to DJ around in Stockholm and have a massive vinyl collection of soul, disco and funk. Some years ago my radioshow “Groovytracks – the best mix of soul music” brought me a job at Scandinavian Soul Music and NRJ Sweden. It’s impossible to pick one song, instead I give you my latest disco playlist :D 

More of Sandy

Instagram: @sandystadelmann

Travel vlog: Sandy Stadelmann on Youtube

SoonNoon Hats: https://soonnoon.com