The best community of teleworkers is in Gran Canaria

Dean Kuchel is affectionately known as 'the digital nomad king'. With a track record of working remotely from over 100 countries long before 'digital nomad' became a buzzword, Dean has spent the last decade inspiring countless individuals to embrace a life of freedom and enthusiastically say 'YES!' 

He's also the brains behind Digital Nomads Israel. Recently, he wowed the audience with his captivating speech at this year's Nomad City Festival in the beautiful Gran Canarian town of Agaete.

We're absolutely thrilled to have Dean Kuchel join us today for this interview, full of inspiring insights, during his latest stay in Gran Canaria. Our meeting spot? El Cabo Coliving, a fantastic coliving designed for remote workers in the charming Puerto de Las Nieves, crafted especially for corporate retreats and fellow digital nomads looking to enjoy some time on the island.

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You have been living as a digital nomad now for over 10 years (even before the term had been thought of). What are the most important lessons have you learnt over this time?

There are a few lessons I'd like to share, but I believe the most important one is that the true ingredients for freedom, success, and a sense of fulfillment are found in people, more than in places, travel, or anything else. It's the people I've encountered that have made my journey so amazing, exciting, and filled with cherished memories.

So, my main focus today is to surround myself with the best people for my growth. Building a strong circle of friends is my second lesson, and as a result of this, I've come to realize that we are all equals. Regardless of our backgrounds or where we come from, we are all human beings. Having traveled to over a hundred countries, I've witnessed a lot of love, but I've also seen poverty and injustice. It's sometimes challenging for me to comprehend and accept. Through remote work, I hope to contribute to closing the gap and fostering understanding between different people and their diverse beliefs.

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In your long journey around over 100 different countries, which ones have impressed you the most?

My favorite country out of the hundred? I'd have to say Japan. It's the most unique in terms of culture, beliefs, cuisine—everything is incredibly distinctive. Additionally, I have a deep affection for Iceland due to its breathtaking landscapes and natural beauty. Colombia also holds a special place in my heart for its lifestyle and the passionate nature of its people.

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What would you highlight about Gran Canaria as a destination for teleworkers?

It's evident that I would highly recommend Gran Canaria to everyone, especially to fellow remote professionals. In my opinion, Gran Canaria boasts the best and most tightly-knit community of people who genuinely connect with each other. It feels like a family, with members who help, support, and inspire one another. This is what left a lasting impression on me during my visit to Gran Canaria, and it's the reason I'm so thrilled to be back.

Of course, it's a relatively small island, making it incredibly accessible, yet it offers a wide array of attractions. You can enjoy beautiful beaches, stunning seas, mesmerizing dunes, and majestic mountains. There's also a vibrant city life. It's a place where you can establish a productive routine while also embarking on a picturesque nature adventure, all in a single day.

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You have also created a huge community of remote workers in Israel. How did you manage that? How did you do it? What characteristics does this community have?

Digital Nomads Israel has now grown into a thriving community of 43,000 members. I take great pride in what we've built there, and I believe my secret sauce lies in my unwavering commitment to honesty and transparency regarding my lifestyle. This means not just sharing the highlights and beautiful aspects of being a digital nomad but also opening up about the tough days when I feel lonely or when my business faces challenges. I believe that by being brutally honest, our community members feel comfortable sharing their own experiences, knowing they are not alone. This has allowed us to create a safe and open space for people to connect.

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Another piece of advice I have for anyone looking to lead and manage a community is to be actively present. Starting something is just the beginning; it's a daily commitment and responsibility to establish boundaries and ensure it remains a safe space for all to express themselves. This involves making sure the content is relevant and monitoring for spam or hate speech. When a community is well-managed, it becomes a place where people feel good about participating and want to be a part of it.

What can we say to your compatriots to encourage them to visit Gran Canaria and other Canary islands?

I would highly recommend anyone, not just my fellow Israelis, to visit Gran Canaria as a tourist or as a digital nomad. I believe Gran Canaria offers a perfect blend of attractions, including year-round good weather, a reasonable cost of living, and a convenient time zone that suits most people. It boasts abundant natural beauty and a wide range of activities. For digital nomads, in particular, it provides a strong and thriving community, which I believe is crucial for those of us who constantly push ourselves out of our comfort zones while traveling.

Gran Canaria is an excellent place to establish your base or even call it your home. I strongly encourage everyone to visit at least once, take the time to explore, and fully enjoy everything that Gran Canaria has to offer.

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The aim of your conference at Nomad City Festival 2023 was to inspire listeners to join in with the nomad movement. Could you give us a few tips on that?

The core idea is to inspire people to live their best lives and to venture out and explore the world.

I discuss the concept of luck and how it plays a role in all of our lives. I emphasize the power of saying 'yes,' which is my personal mantra. Throughout my travels, I've embraced various opportunities and experiences by saying 'yes,' and this way of living has opened up a multitude of doors for me, creating incredible memories. Moreover, it has led me to connect with remarkable individuals, all thanks to the art of saying 'yes.'

Therefore, I encourage every person to challenge themselves to say 'yes' to everything and anything for a week.

We are undoubtedly looking at a change at a worldwide level in the way we work. What is there left to do in order to culminate this transformation? A change of mentality, perhaps?

There's no question that the way we work and where we work is changing rapidly. However, I think that this process needs to slow down a little bit. It's time that both businesses and people will learn about the effect and impact of remote work on culture and communication.

On productivity and innovation, because it's important we do it right, if we want the support of the business owners, if we want the support of policy makers, we need to make sure that we protect everyone's interest in this, and I think this is a process that we need to go through, and a lot of communication about it. And to be fair, for everyone involved. 

So, I truly think that remote work is here to stay the digital nomad movement will grow and will grow a lot in the next 10 years, but in order for this to be effective and efficient, this should be more communication between policy makers, with between businesses, and also between the employees and the solopreneurs.

"There's no doubt that the way we work and where we work is evolving rapidly. However, I believe this transformation should proceed with some caution. It's time for both businesses and individuals to understand the effects and impacts of remote work on culture and communication.

We should also carefully consider its influence on productivity and innovation. Doing remote work right is essential if we want the support of business owners and policymakers. It's crucial to ensure that we protect everyone's interests in this process. I believe this is a necessary journey that requires extensive communication and fairness for all parties involved.

I genuinely believe that remote work is here to stay, and the digital nomad movement will continue to grow significantly over the next 10 years. However, for it to be truly effective and efficient, there must be increased communication between policymakers, businesses, and both employees and solopreneurs.