Ep. 182 | Building Remote Teams and Surviving a War: Kyle Mau’s Story
What drives a young computer engineer to trade California’s sunny coast for the bustling streets of Kyiv? Kyle Mao shares his incredible journey from corporate boredom to building a thriving remote talent agency in Eastern Europe.
In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Mao, an American entrepreneur who made an unexpected leap from a cushy government job to establishing roots in Ukraine. Kyle discusses his decision to leave the corporate grind, navigating the challenges of starting a business abroad, and how the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has shaped his personal and professional life. We delve into the remote talent market, the nuances of hiring from Eastern Europe, and Kyle's journey in building his companies, including an olive oil business. His story is a testament to risk-taking, resilience, and making lemonade when life throws lemons.
What we covered:
The unconventional decision to leave the U.S. for Kyiv
Experiences with buying property in Ukraine
Evacuating Ukraine during the Russian invasion
Building a remote talent agency focused on Eastern Europe
The benefits of hiring talent from Eastern Europe versus other regions
Kyle’s olive oil business and the challenges of food production
Upcoming projects and the future of remote talent
Tune in to hear how Kyle turned uncertainty into opportunity, and learn how hiring remote talent from Eastern Europe can transform your business!
Favorite Quote:
“Remote talent is the future of business.”
Connect with Kyle:
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@matthew.r.meehan
@luigi_rosabianca
@theLiquidLunchProject
@ShieldAdvisoryGroup
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