E67: How to grow a thriving agency from a remote Costa Rican town with Devon Reehl
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Devon Reehl has 15 yearsβ experience in design, development, sales and strategy. He is lead digital strategist with, and co-founder of, Enginate. He specializes in client strategy and project architecture.
Outside of the digital space, Devon has been a wilderness kayaking guide, and also spent 10 years touring as a professional funk drummer. Heβs a father of twins, an avid surfer, and is currently wrapping up his second year living and working abroad in Costa Rica.
Episode highlights:
- What happened when Devon headed to Costa Rica with nine duffle bags, his wife, and a pair of 3-year-old twins.
- Why Devon feared that his clients might look down on his moveβand what really happened.
- How life is different overseas (and how itβs the same).
- What to do if youβre considering moving abroad with your business.
- Best advice heβs ever received: the best bass players play the fewest notesβand know which notes to leave out
- Habit that contributes to success: a tolerance to adversity and having a level head
- Recommended book: The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by Timothy Gallwey
- Recommended tool: Harvest for invoicing and time tracking
Links:
- Bodhi Surf and Yoga
- USUMMIT conference
- Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big, 10th-Anniversary Edition by Bo Burlingham
- Whatβs App
- Harvest
- Enginate
Quotes:
- βFreedom of location is possible in this business.β
- βThis is kinda crazy, but what if we did that?β
- βDo not underestimate the power of being able to work from anywhere with an internet connection.β
- βItβs the bookends around work that are monumentally different.β
- βDeeper work for higher value and higher pay.β
Takeaways:
- Considering a move abroad, or just someplace thatβs new? An on-the-ground βdiscoveryβ of your potential new home is very important for feel, comfort level, and finding a house. Try a program, if available, and meet locals and expats.
- If you want to make the move, spend 30 minutes a day developing your plan and having conversations.
Before moving to Uvita, Costa Rica, these are some things Devonβs family considered:
- Visa requirements (https://www.projectvisa.com/)
- School options (if applicable)
- Homeland anchors/assets (house, car, property, what to sell/give away)
- Passports are valid (must not expire within 6 months of travel)
- Current drivers license
- Long term rental options (often you have to be on the ground to find the best ones)
- Car (If needed, buy through a Broker who will inspect – expensive to import)
- Health check (vaccinations, prescriptions, contacts, eye exam)
- Healthcare (health plans that cover you in the US and overseas can be affordable)
- Move phone numbers to MagicJack or similar VoIP service
- Internet (get on the ground and test speeds for both land and cellular where you will live)
- Banking (get a checking account or credit cards with no international fees, plan for depositing checks at home)