What you'll learn from Elliot's story
Meet Elliot
My name is Elliot. I'm 31, and I'm currently based in Bali, Indonesia. I work for Prosple and have been with them for a little over three years. During my time with Prosple, I've lived in two countries—Australia and Indonesia—and moved across different states. I spent most of my twenties in Melbourne, then moved to Perth, where I grew up, before finally settling in Bali for the last two years. I return to Australia occasionally for work-related reasons.
What I do for work
At Prosple, I'm an account manager. Prosple advertises graduate programs and internships for Australian students, helping them learn about employers before they apply. We aim to guide students on how to excel in recruitment processes and interviews. My role involves managing accounts for various employers, including law firms, mining, oil and gas companies, engineering consulting firms, and construction employers. I strategize with employers on their market approach, advise on job copy and advertising, and provide suggestions on their recruitment processes to attract students. My work is highly client-focused, and I typically have about ten meetings a week. My hours can vary significantly depending on client needs, ranging from 20 to 40 hours per week.
In terms of earnings, account management roles in the tech space can vary broadly. Some tech account managers earn upwards of $250,000 annually. At Prosple, earnings range between $80,000 and $200,000 a year. This range accounts for commission structures, which become more lucrative as you establish a track record within the company.
Welcome to my “office”
Initially, I worked from a homestay in Bali, which was essentially a guest house run by a local family. However, the unreliable internet connection made it impractical for my client-focused role. I then explored various co-working spaces in Uluwatu, but found them unsuitable as I often speak loudly during client meetings, disrupting others in quieter roles like graphic design or content creation. Eventually, I found a perfect spot: a large, open café called Nasi Cumpur.
This café offers a variety of foods, including pasta, chicken, seafood, and rice, along with a breakfast special that includes free coffee. The café's spacious and open layout, with about 40 tables, allows my voice to blend into the ambient noise, making it an ideal workspace.
Finding my home away from home
Finding accommodation in Bali was initially through referrals. When I first moved to Bali, I lived in Seminyak, about an hour and a half north of my current location. My friend Lindsay lived there, and through his contacts, I found a villa without needing Airbnb or booking.com, getting a good price for my first six months. After a six-month stint back in Australia, I moved to Uluwatu, attracted by its relaxed vibe and surfing opportunities. I started with short-term rentals on Airbnb but eventually negotiated directly with the property owner, which significantly reduced my rent by about 30%. Initially, I was paying 1.1 million IDR (about $1,100 AUD) per month through Airbnb. After negotiating directly, my rent dropped to 8.5 million IDR ($850 AUD) per month.
Living expenses in Bali are much lower than in Perth. For context, in Perth, I was paying around $2,000 AUD a month for rent and bills. In Bali, excluding rent, I spend about $200 AUD a week, eating out for every meal. Although I enjoy cooking, I prefer using my time for other activities and spending quality time with friends and my partner.
Join me on a typical work day
A typical day for me starts with a morning routine of stretching, meditation, and either surfing or going to the gym. I usually begin work around 8 -10 AM running meetings and handling administrative tasks until late afternoon. I structure my day to ensure high productivity during work hours and enjoy leisure activities when I'm not working. My partner, who also works for herself, and I coordinate our schedules to spend quality time together.
This week, for example, on Monday, I started work at 11:30 AM and had meetings until 2:30 PM. I then spent the rest of the day doing administrative tasks until 6:30 PM. On Tuesday, I had a similar schedule, with a mid-year review meeting with my boss. Wednesday was busier, with back-to-back meetings from 10 AM to 2 PM, followed by some surfing and later doing more admin work in the evening. Today, I started my day with a gym session and surfing, then had a couple of meetings, and planned to continue working into the evening to prepare for a four-week trip to Europe.
Building a new community from scratch
Building a community in Bali took conscious effort. Initially, I didn't make much effort to meet new people because I was surrounded by Lindsay's friends. However, after moving to Uluwatu, I focused on engaging in activities I enjoyed, like surfing and going to the gym, which helped me meet like-minded people.
One of the key ways I built my community was through a poker group. I met someone at the gym who invited me to join their poker nights. This was a great opportunity to meet new people. At one of these games, I met Matt, a financial advisor from the Sunshine Coast. We bonded over our shared interest in footy and have been close friends for over a year now.
Through the poker group, I also met Matty Banks, a jewelry designer, and Zack, a semi-retired stock trader. Zack made some smart decisions in his twenties and now enjoys a laid-back life in Bali, surfing and relaxing.
I also met a few people through surfing, like Kevin, a graphic designer from Norway, and Hugh, a copywriter from Australia. Surfing is a big part of my life here, and it's a great way to connect with people who share similar interests.
Challenges of remote working
Remote working comes with its challenges. Initially, moving away from friends and family was tough. I have a close-knit group of friends from high school, and being away from them was difficult. However, the experience of moving from Perth to Melbourne in my twenties had already prepared me for this kind of change. Additionally, Bali has its own set of challenges, such as unreliable internet and the lack of clean drinking water. The language barrier, surprisingly, hasn't been much of an issue, as Bali is quite Westernised.
How I got started
I’ve been working full-time since I was 17, and at 31, my journey into remote work has been quite an evolution. My dad was an entrepreneur with a background in sales and martial arts, running his own dojo. His work ethic influenced me greatly, although it meant he was often busy. My early career was far from glamorous. I spent the first four years after high school working in local government—a mundane job that paid the bills and allowed me to travel but offered little in terms of career satisfaction.
My transition into sales began when I moved to Melbourne. My dad, recognizing my people skills, suggested I try sales. He initially got me a role in home sales, selling houses off the plan. It was a high-pressure, commission-based job, and without any formal sales training, it proved to be a tough and stressful year. Feeling burnt out, I considered leaving sales altogether.
However, my dad’s advice to treat sales like an apprenticeship resonated with me. Just as my brother was learning his trade through an apprenticeship, I could view my sales experience similarly. My first year in property sales was just the beginning. Looking for a change, I shifted into recruitment—a field where I discovered a real passion for helping people find better job opportunities.
Recruitment was both challenging and rewarding. I thrived in this role for three years, earning multiple promotions and honing my sales and people skills. I also forged lasting friendships, which made the experience invaluable. However, the cutthroat nature of the recruitment industry, particularly in construction, began to wear on me. Clients often shopped around for better deals, and long-term loyalty was rare.
I realized I needed to pivot away from this environment. Fortunately, I had made strong connections, and one of my former managers who started his own recruitment business reached out. He offered me a role that involved setting up internal recruitment processes and systems—work that played to my strengths in process optimization and efficiency. This role allowed me to step back from the frontline of recruitment while still leveraging my skills.
Despite enjoying the process-oriented work, I found myself drifting back into pure recruitment once the systems were in place. Realizing this wasn’t what I wanted long-term, I began considering other options. Interestingly, during this time, I was responsible for hiring graduates for a small program and worked closely with Prosple. This led to my first significant interaction with a fully remote worker, Sam, an account manager at the company. His impressive work ethic and remote lifestyle intrigued me.
When I resigned from my internal recruitment role in mid-December, I didn’t have a new job lined up—something typically advised against in the recruitment industry. However, I was determined to find a role that suited my evolving career aspirations. I spent six weeks back in Australia, centering myself and reconnecting with friends and family. During this time, I began exploring remote work opportunities, interviewing with several companies, including Bain & Company, LinkedIn and smaller tech firms.
My connection with Sam led me to consider Prosple seriously. I reached out to him, and he facilitated an interview with Geoff, one of Prosple's co-founders. Simultaneously, I was interviewing with LinkedIn for a semi-remote role based in Melbourne. Although LinkedIn was initially my preference, I didn’t get the position. Disappointed, I decided to accept Prosple's offer.
Starting at Prosple was a significant adjustment. The level of autonomy was unlike anything I had experienced before. I was used to a more hands-on management style, where oversight and regular check-ins were the norms. At Prosple, the emphasis was on trust and delivering results without constant supervision. This new way of working was both liberating and challenging.
Reflecting on my journey, accepting the job at Prosple was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Had I joined LinkedIn, I would still be in Melbourne, commuting to an office regularly. Instead, Prosple's remote work culture has allowed me to live and work from Bali. The team at Prosple is composed of incredibly talented and supportive individuals. Despite the inevitable frustrations that come with working at a startup, the pros far outweigh the cons. The company culture is remarkably positive, fostering both personal and professional growth.
Working remotely at Prosple has not only transformed my career but also my lifestyle. I’ve learned to embrace the flexibility and independence that comes with remote work, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an innovative and dynamic team.
My message to the world
My journey has involved significant decisions and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone. If you're aspiring to live a similar lifestyle, you should expect challenges and maybe even some jealousy from people in your current social circles. When I first returned home and spoke to friends, I noticed some of envy. They saw my life as "lucky," which is frustrating because it overlooks the hard work and conscious decisions that have shaped my path.
It's crucial to make proactive decisions to change your situation if you're unhappy. I grew up in a supportive household, but I made my career moves independently. I never relied on loans or credit cards and made sure I had a safety net. For those unhappy in their current roles, consider the worst-case scenario. Often, the risks aren't as daunting as they seem. There are so many opportunities today. Websites like Digital Nomads offer numerous remote work options, and platforms like Coursera provide accessible ways to upskill. I'm currently taking a Google Analytics course to further my knowledge as well as learn more about photography via Skillshare.
Regularly reflecting on your current state and identifying actionable steps is crucial. I constantly assess my happiness and take immediate action if I'm unsatisfied. This approach has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing uncertainties is essential for making bold decisions that can lead to significant growth.
My plans for the future
If you had asked me about my future plans a year ago, I would have said I planned to stay in Bali for at least three to five years. But with a partner now in the mix, my perspective has shifted. Together, we’re committed to Bali for the next 12 months, which aligns well with my work commitments in October and March. These regular touchpoints make it easy for me to plan our life in annual cycles.
I have no plans to move back to a Western country anytime soon. Friends have asked if I'll ever return to Perth, but right now, I have zero interest. Bali offers everything I currently need to continue improving myself physically, mentally, and professionally. Sure, the area is getting busier with more construction and development, similar to what happened in Canggu. If it becomes too densely populated, we might look elsewhere, but we're pretty committed to staying in Southeast Asia for the foreseeable future.
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