now reading:

Travel Tuesday: Meet Elisa Rueda

share post:

back to top 

Considering working remotely? Learn more about what it takes to live in Bali and be a digital nomad. #DigitalNomad #Coworking #RemoteLiving #TheDimpleLife #Entrepreneur

Career + Finance

Travel Tuesday: Meet Elisa Rueda

December 24, 2019

by: Kaitlin Wichmann

Elisa Rueda is the founder of The Cowork Experience, a new kind of team-building for remote teams. With the rise of remote working, she realized the increasing value and growing need for F2F team-size experiences. Her experience model is paving the way and setting a new standard for Cowork retreats.

What was your last regular job?

My last job was at a consulting firm in Austin, TX. I was able to work from home the last 1-2 years that I was there.

Where have you travelled to?

I just got back from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Before that, I spent the majority of my time in Bali. I have also gone to South Africa, Italy, London, Mexico, and Taiwan. I spend a lot of time in Southeast Asia, with some time spent in Europe and Central/South America.

What made you want to pursue a nomadic lifestyle?

I had a really invasive retinal detachment eye surgery. After I recovered from that procedure, I realized that since I work from home, I might as well join a travel program where I can travel and work for a couple months with a group. That’s when I started learning about the nomadic culture and realized that that is something I wanted to explore and get into. Three months after my initial travels, I came home and put all of my stuff into storage and quit my job.

Tell me more about the Cowork Experience.

In mid-2017 I had this idea that I wanted to go to a villa (in Bali) and create some content. From there, I thought, “what else can I do while I have access to the villa?” I thought that I could invite some friends to co-work while I created content. The more I added to it, I realized that this could be a legit experience and it is not the kind of experience that I have seen anywhere else. My experiences that I create for the Cowork Experience are dynamic. They aren’t your traditional ‘lets get wasted’ or one-dimensional event. I’m a huge advocate of both coworking and remote working. I’m passionate about coworking because of the environment, ambiance, motivation, and the fact that you’re still working at the same time. It’s a fusion of all of these things that are happening. 

The first event that I put on for the Cowork Experience was really about exploring the model but then after the 2nd, 3rd event it became more validating that I was on to a really interesting experience concept. Fast forward from them to now, and I have evolved from a 1-day Cowork Pop Up to Coworking Retreats. They both offer a similar model where we have health/wellness aspects, personal development talks, and cultural exploration. I realized that remote companies are looking for more creative ways to bring their team members together. The team building side of things is becoming more competitive. I’m always thinking, “How can we take it to the next level?” My long term vision is to be able to elevate the team building experience for remote companies to the next level.

Do you have any online training courses that you recommend?

WiFly Nomads is a great course. My friend Kate Smith runs it and it’s a very thorough program where she helps you figure out what you’re trying to do and how to transition from your current full time job to a nomadic lifestyle.

I also have a lot of podcasts on heavy rotation. I would recommend Side Hustle School. Every episode is a story of how someone began with a small side hustle and eventually turned it into a full blown business and were able to quit their job. Another podcast I enjoy listening to is Masters of Scale. It’s run by the co-founder of LinkedIn and teaches high performing managers how to scale up. 

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?

I wish I would have dove headfirst into The Cowork Experience from the start. I hesitated in trying to push it forward. It took a backseat because I was doing some side gigs and wasn’t really pushing it forward. Now that I have been pushing it, I have seen amazing results and am really looking forward to 2020 and 2021. Don’t let fear come between you and your dreams. Also, make sure your side hustle compliments the career you’re trying to develop. 

Don’t let fear come between you and your dreams.

What are the hardest things you find about working remotely?

Being consistent with your routine. I find it really hard because if I were to stay in one stationary place, I wouldn’t have that many issues. But because I’m constantly moving, I have to think, “what gyms am I going to, what are my good/healthy places to eat, etc.” 

I have a vision of how I want to live. I want to live in 4 different places each year so that I have a routine, a built-in community, and I know where things are.

How do you decide where you want to go next?

Right now my decisions are work driven. I go where my work is and where my clients are. Also time zones because I have to think about my clients. I have clients who hesitate in going to Bali because of the time zone, which is why I’m going to Portugal next.

Graphic: Elisa Rueda 5 Essentials That I Pack Everyday

How do you envision your life in 5 years?

In 5 years I am helping multiple remote companies and remote teams in bridging connections between team members in multiple countries with various retreats throughout. We will only work 6 months out of the year. I  will have a retreat host assigned in Portugal, in Bali, and in South America. 

What are your estimated monthly expenses?

Housing: 

In Thailand my housing was between $300-400 USD. In Bali it was about $700 USD.

Food and drinks:

In Bali I spend around $7-10 USD per meal, or about $20 a day. In Thailand, I spend $3-5 USD a meal.

Activities:

I’m a workaholic. I wake up at 430/5 am every morning. However, when I’m in Bali, I do go out occasionally. I’ll spend $10-$20 USD a month on drinks.

Transport:

I rented a scooter for $60 USD a month. I spend about $5 USD every 2 weeks on gas.


Interested in learning more? You can reach out to Elisa via her website or through Instagram.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I'm looking for support with:

explore the blog

More on the Blog

I'm looking for support with:

self growth

career + finance

food

movement

home

beauty

relationships

do good

It is hard to know where to begin with volunteer work. Here are a few resources that can help you find the cause that is right for you. #Volunteerism #Volunteer #SocialImpact #NonProfitOrganization

There are so many opportunities to become involved in our communities to really make a lasting impact in our world. It can be overwhelming though when you don’t know where to start. If you are someone with many different interests and don’t know which cause specifically would be best to get involved with, starting anywhere […]

Non profit organizations that support teachers and education.
Where to purchase a coronavirus non medical grade face covering or mask. Here is a round up that can help protect you and your community. #COVID19 #coronavirus #healthylifestyle #TheDimpleLife
It can be daunting to make friends as an adult with limited outlets the older you get. But that doesn't mean it's not possible. It takes getting out of your comfort zone and knowing where to look but know that it is possible with the following tips. #Friendships #Relationship #MentalWellness #MentalWellbeing #TheDimpleLife

It can be really daunting to make friends as an adult. As you grow into adulthood, it seems like there’s more opportunity to create relationships with your classmates in school, with your coworkers at work, and through various social settings. As you fully step into adulthood and enter different phases of your life though those […]

Why teaching 'family first' doesn't work all the time. #FamilyRelationships #HealthyRelationships #Boundaries #TheDimpleLife

Ever since I was in elementary school, I can remember a school project where I presented that the most important motto to me is “Family First”. This thinking was engrained into my upbringing from a very early age. On surface level, it’s quite beautiful. Family truly will always mean so much to me. However, at […]

The five love languages explained so you can discover your own.

Do you know how you appreciate receiving love? Do you know how you appreciate giving love to others? These are all tied to your love languages. This may be from learned behavior you’ve seen or experienced growing up – knowing you loved when the special people in your life showed love in specific ways or […]

This post is about Lauryn from Clear Complexions Co

When I think of a girl boss, Lauryn from Clear Complexions Co immediately comes to mind. I came across Lauryn’s business on Instagram, and I was intrigued. Facial treatments from a home studio? AND, she lives nearby? That’s a double win in my book. Needless to say, I had an exceptional experience during my hydrofacial […]

This post is about Taylor Swift's outfits for less.

Calling all Swifties: this post is for you! If you’ve ever admired Taylor Swift’s fashion choices, you know that her outfits are often nothing short of glamorous. From dazzling stage costumes to stunning red carpet gowns, her style is a testament to elegance and sophistication. Read on to see how you can recreate three of […]

This post is about casual work outfits for the corporate baddie.

In an era where corporate culture is evolving, the traditional office dress code is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach. Today, more and more workplaces are embracing a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, allowing employees to showcase their personal style while maintaining professionalism. Whether you’re navigating the tech industry or a creative agency, we’ve got you covered […]

Caring for plants throughout changing seasons takes patience and intentional effort. Learn the tips it takes to manage your indoor plants throughout the seasons.

As the long summer days wind down and give way to a cooler temperature and changing seasons into autumn, your indoor houseplants enter a different phase of growth that requires your intentional effort and attention. Transitioning your indoor garden for the autumn months requires a thoughtful approach to ensure the well-being of your planty friends. […]

Tips on how to update your home for the fall season

We spend the most time at home and with the season changing soon, it’s time to update some home elements to feel warmer and cozier. Whether that’s with plush blankets, warmer colors around the home, or cozy candles, embrace the season with fall home decor elements that can transform your space. Below are some tips […]

Round up of house plants that will grow well indoors in the fall season. #HousePlants #Monstera #SnakePlant #IndoorPlant #TheDimpleLife

Adding houseplants to your home or apartment is a great, low cost tactic to brighten up your space and increase the air quality. Filling a room with green and colorful plants can really lift the mood. However, having them all die when the winter months roll around is a sure way to do the exact […]

This post is about activities to do in the Fall in Vancouver.

What sets Vancouver apart from all the other cities is its ability to seamlessly transition through all four seasons, offering a diverse range of activities and festivities to match each one. As we transition into Fall, there’s an abundance of exciting screen-free activities awaiting us. Whether it’s visiting the pumpkin patch with your family or […]

This post is about the top 5 fitness classes in Vancouver.

Elevate your fitness journey in Vancouver with a diverse array of classes that cater to every preference and goal. If you are looking to build body confidence, we are here to help! Dive into the high-energy world of Rumble Boxing, sculpt and tone at Lagree West’s reformer Pilates sessions, find balance with Oxygen Yoga’s hot […]

For anyone in LA that has never thought to try a boxing class but enjoys group HIIT workouts, I highly recommend checking out one of these boxing studios. #gymbox #bestgym #gymslosangeles #losangelesathleticclub #gold'sgym #bestgymsinlosangeles

After moving to Downtown LA I found myself getting tired with the monotony of the standard workout I was completing in my small apartment gym. In my efforts to branch away from the standard routine, I visited multiple local gyms. I eventually found a love for group High Intensity Interval Training sessions. This new found […]

This post is about date night restaurants in Vancouver.

For those who have quality time as their love language (or their partners), getting to share a romantic night out will always be something special. Whether it’s a first date, an anniversary, or a celebration, I have compiled some of my favorite date night spots in Vancouver. Whether you are craving Italian, hot pot, or […]

This post is about lunch meal prep recipes.

Ever had that dreadful morning when you oversleep, leaving no time to pack your lunch? The struggle is real as you grumble while getting out of bed, knowing you’re going to have to pay for another overpriced salad at work. We understand the lunchtime dilemma all too well, and that’s why we’ve put together a […]

Anti-inflammatory juice containing beets, carrots, ginger and more to protect against illness. One of the most refreshing juices I've ever had! #freshjuice #antiinflammatory #guthealth #TheDimpleLife

Beets have always been a staple in the refrigerator, whether it’s eating them as beet chips, roasted beets in a bowl, or pickled beets in a salad, there are so many different ways to be able to enjoy this root vegetable and today we’ll explore a beet and carrot juice recipe. They are known to […]

This post is about how to get organized for back to school.

Getting a jumpstart on preparing for the upcoming school semester, especially in college or university, comes with some great perks. First off, it helps you avoid stressing out as the start of classes gets closer. You’ll also have time to plan things out, set goals, purchase the essentials, and figure out a study routine that […]

A young woman is looking down at her laptop trying to figure out her finances.

Taking control of your finances is a crucial step towards achieving your life goals and building a secure future. Finances can be confusing, especially if you are a beginner, but with just knowing a few basic, key steps, you can lay a much healthier, solid foundation to your financial well-being. Keep reading to learn the […]

This post is about college essentials for back to school.

Ready to conquer college like a boss? Preparedness is the key to success in any academic journey, and having the right essentials and being a mindful shopper can make all the difference. Equip yourself with all these college essential tools for back-to-school success. Backpacks and Bags Your trusty backpack or tote is a back-to-school essential, […]

This post is about a 5 day itinerary for San Diego.

Last week, I embarked on a quick getaway to San Diego for a memorable girls’ trip with my mom and sister. With careful planning and enthusiasm, I’ve meticulously put together a day-to-day itinerary that encapsulates the essence of San Diego’s charm and attractions. From culinary delights to beach escapades, cultural exploration to retail therapy, this […]

A joyful, pleasing aesthetic that can invoke joy in life

If we’re not intentional with the joy that is in our lives, we can go days, months, or even years without realizing that we haven’t incorporated this pure state of being. Joy is getting to the core of who you are. Being joyful is about aligning your thoughts and actions with your truest state. Sometimes […]

What is a gratitude journal? How do you start a gratitude journal? Here are tips to help get you started. #Journaling #GratitudeJournal #PositiveAffirmations #TheDimpleLife

Do you often times find yourself feeling down about where you are at, focusing your attention on what you don’t have in your life, and unsure of how to turn your mindset around? Perhaps you got laid off, got ill, had an argument with someone you care about. This is where a practice of gratitude […]

© 2023 3R Media. All Rights Reserved  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms & Conditions

Site by Sunday Stories

© 2023 3R Media. All rights reserved.
Read our Privacy Policy & Terms & ConDitions