Let’s be honest: we all crave a sense of community. But what if you can’t find one that aligns with your interests? What then? Well, you could create your own…
That’s exactly how The Offsite was born. So, what is The Offsite, and how did we attract such a diverse group of people?
What Is The Offsite?
The Offsite is a coliving and coworking community that organizes pop-up trips around the globe. Over the past four years, we’ve hosted more than 21 trips across seven countries on four continents, welcoming individuals from over 35 nations. But, how did we bring everyone together?
The Spark of an Idea
During the pandemic, a friend suggested we work remotely together as autumn approached. Working alone felt isolating, so I was intrigued. He asked if I could organize things since he knew I had a passion for hosting and traveling. Having previously worked with the community team at WeWork in London, I was excited to apply my skills in a new way.
In October 2020, twelve of us gathered in a beautiful Lisbon flat. Most participants were friends of friends; I knew only two people initially. What started as a two-week experience morphed into five unforgettable weeks. Living and working in a community felt like a grown-up summer camp, and I realized that what I had unknowingly created was “coliving.”
Turning Passion into Business
Inspired by the experience, I decided to develop a business plan. I focused on essential details: finding suitable accommodations, ensuring good Wi-Fi, and strategizing how to attract more participants. Was this the solution digital nomads needed?
Months later, we hosted another group, this time in Fuerteventura, and soon the trips kept coming. Now, four years later, I’m preparing for our 22nd trip in sunny Morocco!
The Allure of Remote Work
The traditional office life isn’t for everyone, and I quickly surrounded myself with like-minded individuals. I fondly remember my first trip to Bali in 2018, when I dreamed of working from the beach. Now, I enjoy that lifestyle daily, sipping fresh coconut water while helping others on their digital nomad journeys.
Challenges and Triumphs
Is this dream job easy? Not at all. While pursuing your passion is incredibly fulfilling, it comes with its challenges. On the very first day of our inaugural trip, we faced a significant obstacle: our accommodation was too noisy due to nearby construction. I had to relocate the entire group within 24 hours—a lesson learned the hard way!
From dealing with unreliable taxi drivers to unexpected guest cancellations, running a global business has its hurdles. Yet, the positives have always outweighed the negatives.
The Heart of The Offsite: Our Community
The greatest joy of running The Offsite is the community we’ve built—the Offsiters! Whenever I face challenges, I remind myself of the incredible people and friendships forged along the way. Sharing highlights over dinner, experiencing epic adventures together, and forming deep connections make it all worthwhile.
What sets our community apart? We embrace diversity; there’s no “typical” Offsiter. We attract individuals from various backgrounds, ages, and professions, creating a rich tapestry of experiences. Our smaller groups (4-10 people) curate genuine connections, from shared meals to collaborative work sessions.
Embracing New Experiences
One of the things I love about our community is their willingness to step out of their comfort zones. Whether it’s trying surfing for the first time, doing yoga, or attending a sound bath, we encourage new experiences. If things go awry, there’s always support from new friends to lean on.
The Future of Our Adventures
Our trips are hosted in stunning villas and surf houses around the world. Last year, we enjoyed a six-month Offsite experience in Tamraght, Morocco, and in April we traveled to Lombok, Indonesia for another coliving trip—our fourth visit there!
Why Coliving Matters
Colivings offer a unique blend of living and working spaces that traditional accommodations often lack. As remote workers, staying in a hostel filled with party-goers or a lonely Airbnb isn’t ideal. Colivings provide beautiful spaces, a sense of community, and a productive environment—all while allowing space and time to create connections with like-minded individuals.
The Offsite is the perfect balance of exploration, work, and inspiration. Participants often stay longer, allowing for deeper relationships and experiences that feel more authentic than mere tourism.
Follow Your Passion
All this to say, if you have a passion project, pursue it—you never know where it might lead. And if you’re considering the coliving lifestyle, check us out on social media and our website. We hope to see you on a trip soon!
