In this episode of the Nearshore Cafe Podcast, Brian Samson sits down with Jen from Expatsi to explore what it really looks like to leave the U.S. and build a life abroad. From growing up in Alabama to relocating to Mérida, Mexico, Jen shares how she and her husband “nearshored themselves” by leveraging remote work, lowering their cost of living, and building a business that now helps others move overseas.

They discuss expat life in Mexico, Ecuador, and Belize, compare residency and visa options, break down the realities of healthcare and infrastructure abroad, and explain why more Americans are exploring international living in Latin America and beyond.

Jen also shares how Expatsi helps aspiring expats discover the right country, navigate the relocation process, and connect with trusted experts around the world.

Topics Covered:

• Moving abroad from the U.S.
• Cost of living in Mexico
• Remote work & expat lifestyles
• Ecuador and Belize for expats
• Residency and visa pathways
• Nearshoring yourself
• Building a business abroad
• Digital nomad & retirement trends

Sponsored by Plugg Technologies
https://www.plugg.tech

Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast
https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com

🎧 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

What does it take to grow an IT staffing firm to $28M in revenue while competing against giants like Tech Systems? For Doug Firestone, the answer was found in the jungles of Costa Rica.

In this episode, Doug shares his transition from a Pennsylvania-based founder to a nearshoring pioneer. We explore the logistical and cultural "must-haves" for setting up shop in Latin America, from choosing the right free trade zones to hiring talent directly from tech hubs like IBM and Amazon. Doug also provides a candid look at his "failures," explaining why a great solution needs an even better go-to-market strategy to survive client pullbacks.

Key Takeaways:

• Why industry verticals (like Blue Cross Blue Shield) drive higher margins than technology niches.
• The "Calculus" of Nearshoring: Evaluating flight ease, education, and geopolitics.
• How to pitch nearshoring to big-name clients like Comcast.

🎧 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

How do you handle a land deal with a duffel bag of cash? Brendan Quirk, Founder of LACPA, joins Brian Samson to share the wild, "boots-on-the-ground" reality of doing business in Latin America for over two decades.

What started as a backpacking trip to Patagonia turned into a 20-year career as a financial leader and international consultant. From his early days as a CPA in Mendoza during the 2004 financial crisis to managing multi-country expansions for global firms, Brendan breaks down the logistical hurdles of nearshoring, capital controls, and scaling operations in a region where relationships are the ultimate currency.

In this episode, we sit down at the cafe to discuss:

• The 2004 Argentina Crisis: Lessons from building a business during extreme financial instability.
• The Mendoza Wine Boom: How Brendan became a Financial Director for a luxury winery.
• The "Institutional" Edge: Why Chile is often the most robust entry point for US firms.
• The Brazil Maze: Navigating the administrative complexity of the region's largest market.
• LATAM Loyalty: Why the "community" aspect of Latin American talent is a competitive advantage for tech founders.

Whether you are a CTO looking to hire LATAM engineers or a founder exploring nearshore expansion, this episode offers a masterclass in regional strategy and cultural adaptability.

Connect with Brendan Quirk:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanthomasquirk/
• Website (LACPA): https://www.latinamericacpa.com/

Follow The Nearshore Cafe Podcast:

• Website: https://www.nearshorecafepodcast.com
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nearshorecafepodcast

Sponsored by Plugg Technologies: Connecting U.S. companies with vetted software engineers and digital talent across Latin America.

• Visit: https://www.plugg.tech

🎧 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