E67: How to grow a thriving agency from a remote Costa Rican town with Devon Reehl

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Devon Reehl has 15 years’ 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. He’s 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 move—and what really happened.
• How life is different overseas (and how it’s the same).
• What to do if you’re considering moving abroad with your business.
• Best advice he’s ever received: the best bass players play the fewest notes—and 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
• What’s App
• Harvest
• Enginate

Quotes:

• “Freedom of location is possible in this business.”
• “This is kinda crazy, but what if we did that?”
• “Do not underestimate the power of being able to work from anywhere with an internet connection.”
• “It’s the bookends around work that are monumentally different.”
• “Deeper work for higher value and higher pay.”

Takeaways:

• Considering a move abroad, or just someplace that’s new? An on-the-ground “discovery” 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 Devon’s 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)