The Nearshore Cafe

Brian Samson, the host of the Nearshore Café podcast, interviewed Juan Pablo Larach, a business leader from Chile.

Their conversation touched on various subjects, including business cultures, personal experiences, and industry insights. Juan Pablo shared his background growing up in Santiago, Chile, and attending Universidad Católica. He discussed his love for Chilean wines, particularly Carménère, and the Chilean preference for barbecues.

They also discussed Juan Pablo's involvement in rugby and how it taught him important life lessons. Juan Pablo then talked about his career at Latam Airlines, his role in route economics, and the dynamic nature of the airline industry. He highlighted the cultural differences across Latin American countries and his experiences living in Brazil. After returning to Santiago, Juan Pablo changed roles within the airline, worked on his executive MBA, and gained valuable insights from his travels to India and China.

Currently, he is the CEO of CPT Towage, discussing the towing industry's competitive nature and trends. Juan Pablo compared Chile to Singapore as an attractive destination for foreign companies in Latin America.

The conversation provided insights into Chilean culture, wines, barbecues, the airline industry, the MBA program, cultural diversity in Latin America, and the towing industry's trends and opportunities.

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode, Sofia Neumann Olivarria, co-founder of Startups Latam, discusses the growing startup ecosystem in Chile and Latin America. Brian and Sofía discuss fundraising, talent, and trends in various sectors across the region. Sofia emphasizes the importance of understanding the uniqueness of each country within Latin America when engaging in business or partnerships

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of The Nearshore Cafe podcast, host Brian Samson shares his personal experience of being mugged during his first hour in Latin America. Brian, a solo backpacker and entrepreneur, traveled to Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. Carrying a large backpack and a laptop bag containing important items, he embarked on a walk through the scenic streets of Buenos Aires, admiring the beautiful architecture, including the famous Casa Rosada.

Brian also recounts being scammed and mugged in Buenos Aires. While walking towards his hostel in a relatively empty downtown area, a teenager tapped his shoulder and pointed at the sky, mentioning "the birds". Assuming the teenager was referring to the birds in the sky, Brian nodded along. Brian, thinking the teenager was being helpful, thanked him, however, he soon realized that his laptop bag was missing and saw another mugger running away with his bag. Panic set in as he realized he had been deceived.

Fortunately, a good Samaritan chased down the mugger and returned Brian's bag, simply warning him to be careful. Brian expresses his gratitude towards the good Samaritan and reflects on the kindness of strangers. He emphasizes that theft can happen in major cities like Buenos Aires and advises listeners to be vigilant and cautious. However, he also highlights that such incidents are rare and this was the only time it happened during his numerous visits to the city.

Brian's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of awareness and personal safety while traveling, while also highlighting the compassion and helpfulness of the local community.

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Join Brian as he unveils the essence of The Nearshore Cafe, a podcast that invites you to indulge in out-of-this-world conversations and stories.

Through his genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge, Brian sets the stage for a journey filled with captivating guests, personal anecdotes, and a shared love for the magic of the nearshore talent in Latin America.

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Eva Romano, an Argentine professional living in Salta, provides her perspective on Argentina. She highlights the differences in weather and lifestyle between Salta and Buenos Aires. Eva discusses the diverse culture, including the importance of siestas and drinking Mate.

She shares her personal journey, moving between Argentina and the United States before completing her education in Argentina. Eva's career in talent acquisition, working with US companies and Argentine startups, showcases the advantages of Argentine professionals' mindsets and innovative ideas. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in Argentina, such as inflation and political instability, emphasizing the adaptability of Argentines.

Eva describes the informal and social leadership style and advises companies to understand the culture and market when considering nearshoring to Argentina. Overall, Eva provides valuable insights into Argentina's culture, work style, and talent acquisition industry.

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of The Near Shore Cafe podcast, Alicia Kellstrom discusses the future of work and the opportunities it offers for accessing global talent. 

Alicia shares her experiences from Upwork and emphasizes the value of talent platforms in managing risk and ensuring quality. COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of remote work and global talent by companies. 

Our special guest highlights the importance of clarity in expectations and trust when working with external talent. The conversation also touched on Alicia's travel experiences, her preference for Paris, and her love for collecting art from different cities.

Alicia's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciakellstrom/----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

The Nearshore Cafe podcast features Kent Cameron, a digital nomad in Cali, Colombia. They discuss the vibrant salsa culture, affordable living, and Kent's experiences as a freelancer in recruiting and coding.

Despite challenges like language barriers, Kent enjoys a simple and balanced life, with cycling and modern amenities adding to his positive experience in Colombia.

Kent's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thelaptoprecruiter/----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of the Nearshore Cafe podcast, host Brian Samson introduces guest Stuart McGillivray, or Stu, who shares his background of living in various countries as a child and his expat assignment in Mexico City from 2005 to 2010 in the automotive industry.

Stu highlights the rapid growth of Mexico's automotive industry, with major companies investing in the country. He discusses the three components necessary for a successful hub: capital, talent, and knowledge recycling. Stu also mentions positive changes in Mexico's stability, such as a stronger peso and accessible local financing options.

Living in the Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City, Stu describes its beauty, walkability, and diverse cuisine. He encourages visitors to speak Spanish and connect with locals to fully experience Mexican hospitality.

Regarding safety, Stu notes that it varies depending on the location and time. While some areas have seen an increase in crime, safe regions like the Yucatan Peninsula exist, attracting expats with low crime rates. The Mexican government prioritizes the safety of foreigners, reducing their likelihood of becoming crime targets.

Stu discusses the hierarchical work culture in Mexico and the importance of building relationships and showing genuine interest in colleagues. He advises a proactive approach to hiring and leveraging networks to find trusted talent.

He mentions the shifting hiring process in Mexico, with candidates demanding more from employers due to increased awareness of their worth. Mexican companies are now competing globally and acquiring overseas companies.

Stu shares his experience of learning Spanish through immersion and the challenges of providing coaching and feedback in a second language. They discuss economic and cultural differences between Latin American countries and the benefits of nearshoring in the automotive industry.

They advise those interested in nearshoring to visit in person, assess local infrastructure, and build relationships with suppliers. They also emphasize the value of speaking to locals for a deeper understanding of the country.

The podcast concludes with a recommendation to check out Nearshore Direct as a resource for finding talent in Latin America.

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

In this episode of the Nearshore Cafe podcast, host Brian Samson interviews Cami Reyes Camacho, who shares her background and experiences as the head of operations for a fast-growing company. Cami discusses her upbringing in Santiago, Chile, and her move to San Francisco for work and education.

Cami highlights the adventurous landscapes, diverse geography, and delicious food, including Chilean wine, in Chile. She describes the warm and community-oriented culture of the country, characterized by dark humor.

Shifting to work culture, Cami talks about the startup scene in Santiago and her role in leading the innovation team at Canvas Group. She emphasizes the increasing openness to innovation among companies, influenced by startups prioritizing user experience. Cami also stresses the importance of listening to customers and including designers in teams.

Cami shares her journey of moving to San Francisco for her design strategy MBA, discussing the challenges she faced in finding housing and adjusting to a new language and culture. She also talks about her professional experiences, including working as a design program manager at DocuSign, where she dealt with rapid growth and the challenges of scaling teams while prioritizing employee well-being.

Cami discusses her current role at Native, a company focused on instant messaging with translation. She highlights design challenges, managing remote teams, and fostering a sense of belonging. She also emphasizes the importance of language accessibility and Native's mission to help non-English speakers reach their potential and connect with opportunities.

In a more lighthearted segment, Cami mentions her favorite neighborhood in Santiago and shares her favorite English words. She and Brian also discuss their best purchases under $50 in the US.

Overall, the podcast provides valuable insights into Cami's background, Chilean culture, work experiences, and the importance of language accessibility in global connections.

----------💰💰💰Our sponsors💰💰💰💻Plugg TechnologiesPlug provides software developers in LATAM for US Companieshttps://www.plugg.tech/🔥Nearshore DirectND covers your needs for non-IT roles, CSR, BDR, Designers among othershttps://www.gonearshoredirect.com/----------------Our social pages:🎵 Spotify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1pm8NbZY7qYkTblEVTxTSd🌎 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com/🔥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe/

🎧 Host | Brian Samson – Founder of 💻 Plugg Technologies
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/

🎙️ Sponsored by Plugg Technologies – Connecting U.S. companies with top-tier software developers across Latin America.
🌐 https://www.plugg.tech

🌎 Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KYcgpmN77fJm6B25469B8
🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nearshore-cafe/id1775525954
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-nearshore-cafe
🌐 Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast