Olumide Gbenro is growing the World’s largest Community of Digital Nomads

Olumide Gbenro is a recognized leader in digital nomad community, founder of Digital Nomad Summit and Digital Nomad Week. He has leveraged his relationships with other digital nomad community builders and stakeholders to effect change in global remote work.

Olumide is spearheading the push for a digital nomad visa for Indonesia along with Indonesian academic Wahyu Taufiq.

His virtual and in-person events attract thousands of people from around the world including his December 2021 Digital Nomad Week expecting 10,000 attendees. He also runs a marketing agency remotely from Bali, Indonesia and helps entrepreneurs and their companies become globally recognized.

Olumide is the founder of Digital Nomad Summit, growing the world’s largest community of Digital Nomads. Currently based in Bali, Indonesia, his reason for starting his venture was because when he arrived in Bali after traveling three years as a Digital Nomad, he found it challenging to connect with a like-minded community of entrepreneurs. He was quick to realize it wasn’t all sunsets and beach life. There were moments of loneliness and challenges in working from a new environment, so he wanted to create a place where online entrepreneurs of all levels could feel a sense of belonging in a community.

He faced immense hardship during his childhood and experienced rock bottom three years ago, where he started with humble beginnings as a Digital Nomad. He couch surfed while hustling all day and night using laptops he borrowed from friends and lived off oatmeal, living in complete survival mode to the point where his body became weak and fragile. Olumide never gave up hope knowing he was working towards a bigger vision and brighter future for himself. A stark contrast to the finer and more luxurious amenities enjoys today.

Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Olumide to ask him three quick-fire questions around his lifestyle and business.

“You are well-respected in the global community for your ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Can you share more on how you did this and how it has helped you?”

“I go into relationships not expecting anything at all, only providing value to people I have a genuine interest in and would work with regardless of monetary gain. I truly believe value attracts money, and if you build a relationship with the intent of value-driven outcomes from the beginning, success will follow”.

“Many Entrepreneurs fall into the trap of thinking they can do everything alone. Why do you believe community is so important?”

“I truly believe it takes a village to be successful. We need a community to create valuable things in our society, and during tough times, we need others to lean on. From knowing where to renew your passport or even just need someone to connect with after staring at our screens for too long, the community is what soothes our human soul and keeps us moving forward”.

“What is your top tip for aspiring Digital Nomads?” the trap of thinking they can do everything alone. Why do you believe community is so important?”

“Be sure to balance work with fun. And most importantly, you have a guaranteed and solid source of income, so you aren’t simply working to survive and instead are thriving as you travel and work. I’m also a firm believer in “slow travel,” staying in one city for 2-3 months at a time (if laws permit) and getting to know the locals and culture, instead of merely taking advantage of the geographic arbitrage of online income”.