154: How He Launched a Side Hustle Overseas (And What It Takes to Make It Work)
Can you launch a side hustle overseas and run it from afar?
David Schafran did, and has built it to 6-figures. From a Colombia sabbatical, he launched Somoloco, a remote dance biz. Here he share tips on starting lean, testing ideas, dealing with influencers, and the importance of building strong connections.
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Can you really start a side hustle while traveling — and run it from thousands of miles away? David Schafran did.
What began as a one-month salsa sabbatical in Colombia turned into a passion-fueled income stream. David shares how he went from health tech founder in Boston to launching Somoloco, a remote-friendly dance immersion business — all while keeping things lean and intentional.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to build a side hustle while living abroad (or just working remotely)
- Why you don’t need to “go big” to get started
- How David tested his idea with a simple prototype
- The marketing strategies that helped him grow — including paid ads, partnerships, and influencer collabs
- Why strong relationships are crucial to running a side hustle from another city or country
Whether you’re thinking of building something creative, travel-based, or just want extra income on your terms, this episode shows you what’s possible.
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Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.
How He Launched a Side Hustle Overseas (And What It Takes to Make It Work)
When David Schafran booked a flight to Colombia, he wasn’t planning to start a side hustle. He just wanted to dance.
After years building a high-pressure health tech startup in Boston, David needed a break. He flew to Medellín for a month-long salsa immersion to rest, recharge, and reconnect with joy. But something unexpected happened.
That trip sparked what would eventually become SomoLoco — a dance-focused immersion experience that started as a side hustle and evolved into a location-independent business run from New York.
Whether you’re dreaming of building a travel-based side hustle, a creative project, or just want more freedom in your income — David’s journey offers clear, real-world lessons.
1. Follow What Feels Good — Not a Business Plan
David didn’t fly to Colombia with a business idea. He flew there with a desire to feel alive again. As he threw himself into salsa classes and the local community, something clicked.
“It struck me how powerful just dancing is… compared to all the other things we do to feel better — talk therapy, plant medicine, meditation. This was social, embodied, joyful.”
The business idea wasn’t forced. It emerged organically — which is a powerful reminder for side hustlers: the best opportunities often come when you follow what energizes you.
2. Start Small — Really Small
Instead of launching with a full-blown retreat or expensive infrastructure, David began with a simple prototype: matching local dancers with international visitors who wanted lessons.
“The first step was a prototype… organizing the independent dance community and helping them find work.”
No fancy funnels. No big ad budget. Just a simple exchange that helped him validate the concept before investing further.
3. Build Your Business on Relationships
This is where David’s story really stands out. Because he lived in Medellín and became part of the community, he was able to build real trust with the very people who would later work with him — and that trust became the backbone of SomoLoco.
“You can’t do this type of thing by just deciding to. Business is relationship-driven. I lived there for years. I know the people. I trust them.”
He also made it a priority to pay his collaborators well — often double the standard rate — which not only created loyalty, but aligned with his values.
If you’re building a remote side hustle, relationships are your infrastructure. Don’t underestimate the value of time, trust, and mutual respect — especially when you're not on the ground day-to-day.
4. Keep Your Overhead Flexible
David’s model didn’t require fixed costs like a studio lease or full-time staff. Most of his team — instructors, assistants, marketers — are independent contractors.
“We don’t have fixed costs like a retail store. That was never the design.”
This allowed him to grow at a pace that made sense — and scale up only when demand supported it. For side hustlers, especially those testing an idea while working another job, low overhead = low stress.
5. Use What You Know to Market Smart
David’s early traction came from his network, but to grow, he tapped into:
- Paid ads — especially on social media
- Influencer partnerships — aligned with the brand’s joyful, cultural vibe
- Repeat customers and word-of-mouth
But none of that works without credibility. Testimonials, clear communication, and being real with your audience is what turns interest into bookings.
“In the early days, credibility is everything. You’re asking people to trust you. Sharing testimonials is critical.”
6. You’ll Still Battle Doubt — and That’s Normal
David didn’t shy away from the emotional side of building something new — especially while living abroad. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was when he talked about his internal fears:
“Is this gonna be successful at all? Is this just a road to nowhere? Am I wasting my time? Am I wasting my life? Am I a loser? Am I… lovable?”
This kind of self-doubt is not a sign of failure. It’s a sign you’re stretching. And David’s ability to keep going, even in the face of those thoughts, made the difference.
“If you didn’t go through the rough and tumble, you would never have gotten to this place of clarity about what you’re doing, about who you are.”
7. It’s Okay if It Stays a Side Hustle
Although David’s project eventually became his full-time work, it started as a side hustle — built slowly while he worked in other roles.
That runway gave him time to experiment, adjust, and grow without the pressure of needing instant income. And it’s a good reminder for anyone starting out: your side hustle doesn’t have to replace your job to be successful.
Key Lessons from David’s Overseas Side Hustle
- Follow what energizes you — even if it doesn’t look like a business yet
- Start small and test early with what you have
- Invest in people — relationships matter more than systems
- Keep costs low and operations flexible
- Market with credibility — let happy customers speak for you
- Expect doubt, and show up anyway
Want to Launch Your Own Side Hustle?
If you’ve got an idea — or just a sense that you’re ready to build something of your own — download my free guide:
Smart Start: From Idea to It’s Live in 7 Steps
This practical guide walks you through what to focus on first, how to test your idea without overspending, and the 8 essentials you actually need to launch. It’s free for now, but I may start charging for it soon — so grab your copy while you can.
You never know… your own version of SomoLoco might be closer than you think.
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