In this episode, we sit down with Tom Hopcroft, the British entrepreneur and founder of Guiris de Mierda, a vibrant community bringing expats and locals together in Madrid. Tom shares his journey from the UK’s corporate grind to creating a network that fosters authentic connections, unforgettable events, and a sense of belonging.

We dive into what it means to be a "guiri," the challenges of building a community-based business abroad, and how Tom’s adventures—like walking the Camino de Santiago and skateboarding across Spain—have shaped his approach to life and work.

From navigating cultural differences to crafting viral content, building brand partnerships, and scaling GDM to other cities, this episode is packed with insights for anyone curious about expat life, entrepreneurship, or the art of growing a mission-driven brand.

Tune in for a lively conversation about community, culture, and making it work abroad

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Timestamps:

02:16 What is a Guiri?

05:57 GDM Events, Investing in Spain, More than "Siesta y Fiesta"

09:55 Journey from Merch to Content to the 1st Meet-up

17:07 Why the Name "Guiris de Mierda"?

17:59 When Did You Realize This Was a Business?

21:24 Golden Guiris and the Subscription Model

25:31 Learning From Other Communities

27:43 Viral Content to Booked Events Flywheel

28:32 Finding Your Niche

31:39 Skateboarding Across Spain

33:42 Content Strategy (Personal v Business Brand)

37:40 Hosting and Organizing Live Events

40:03 Getting Sponsorships and Partnerships

44:51 GDM Expanding to Barcelona (1st Event)

46:00 Content Creation Workshop

49:42 Questions From the Audience

56:18 Rapid Fire Questions

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Follow Tom:

https://www.instagram.com/tomcharliedesign

Follow Guiris de Mierda:

https://www.instagram.com/guirisdemierda

https://linktr.ee/tomcharliedesign

Watch Tom's Backstory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BOfWd4lts4