Bali Unplugged

08/05/2024

Cash is Dead in Bali — Here’s the Play if You Want to Win

Bali’s property game just changed.
Macquarie Bank’s move to kill cash transactions isn’t a “bank policy update” — it’s a signal. Rules are shifting, and when rules shift, the people who adapt first make the money.

That’s why I brought in Rick Otton — the guy who’s helped thousands of investors build wealth in international markets when everyone else was still “figuring it out.”

Here’s what we unpack in this episode:

The cash ban decoded — why it’s happening, what it really means for expats & investors, and how to pivot so you don’t get left holding dead assets.

The expat advantage — strategies to grow your portfolio in Bali while others are still learning the market.

The “passport bros” wave — the surge of digital nomads, how they’re reshaping demand, and what plays that opens up.

Tourism’s rebound — where the smart money is moving now that borders are open, and the traps most people will fall into.

If you own property in Bali, want to invest here, or just don’t want to miss the next wealth window…
🎯 Watch this now. The game’s moving fast, and opportunities age in dog years here.

06/04/2024

From Paris Finance to Bali Boardrooms — How Matthieu Chauveau Built His Island Empire

Matthieu didn’t “move to Bali” — he executed a pivot.
From finance in Paris to hotel management for Accor across Jakarta, Bali, and Singapore, he built the kind of operational and market knowledge most entrepreneurs never get close to. Then he traded in the corporate playbook for the island game.

The Surfboard Was Just the Entry Ticket
Surfing brought Matthieu to Bali. Relationships kept him here.
After an MBA in 2019, he came back with sharper tools, bigger vision, and a plan to stop selling his time and start owning the table.

Four Years. Multiple Companies. One Market Mastered.

Buying, selling, and managing properties in Bali’s hottest zones

Developing a boutique hotel in Sidemen

Building villas in Nusa Penida
Matthieu and his partners have gone from market entrants to market makers — shaping how real estate and tourism plays get done on the Island of the Gods.

Scaling Beyond Self
This isn’t just Matthieu’s portfolio. His team guides other developers and entrepreneurs to navigate the Bali market, avoid costly missteps, and build ventures that actually work here.

The Non-Negotiables
For Matthieu, the scoreboard matters — but relationships are the real ROI. Family, friends, and the way you show up as a human come first. The money and the deals follow that.

🏝 Tropic Invest → tropicinvest.com
🏠 TKT Villa Management → tktvillamanagement.com
🔗 Matthieu on LinkedIn

Watch the full conversation to see how Matthieu turns waves, relationships, and opportunity into long-term wins in Bali’s real estate and tourism markets.

06/04/2024

From 70 Countries to One Island Vision — How Olivia Purba is Building a Life by Design in Bali

Olivia Purba doesn’t fit into a single box.
She’s a published author, blogger, entrepreneur, and environmental consultant — but the through-line is clear: create, connect, and leave the planet better than she found it.

The World Was Her Classroom
70+ countries. Thousands of stories.
Olivia’s passport is less a travel log and more a playbook of cultural insights, business ideas, and lived experiences that fuel her work today.

Bali as Home Base — and Launchpad
When she’s not on the road, Olivia is in Bali — curating entrepreneur retreats, building community, and proving that business growth and sustainability can actually feed each other.

Living the Message
With her husband, she’s creating a sustainable tiny house just minutes from Ubud’s heart — complete with an edible garden. It’s not a Pinterest board; it’s a living model of eco-conscious living that others can replicate.

Romance Meets Strategy
Their Bali Honeymoon Guide started as a love story. Now it’s a curated pathway for couples to experience the island’s magic without falling into the tourist traps.

Why Olivia’s Different
Most people talk about “sustainability” as a hashtag. Olivia has engineered it into her business, her home, and her daily choices — proving you can scale impact without losing the human touch.

🌿 See how a global perspective, grounded in Bali’s creative and ecological heartbeat, can redefine what’s possible in both life and business.

06/04/2024

From Business Exit to Beachfront Icon — How Emma Brown Built Bali’s Pavilion Surf Club

Emma Brown doesn’t just run businesses in Bali — she builds landmarks.
Mother, wife, and entrepreneur, she’s navigated the island’s business landscape with the kind of clarity and conviction most people only find after decades.

The First Win — and the Next Play
In 2019, Emma and her husband Mitch sold their first successful Bali business. Most would have taken a break. They doubled down.
Their vision: create a space that bottled Bali’s surf culture and ocean energy — and make it the kind of place both locals and travelers would claim as their own.

Turning an Old Restaurant into a Surf Club Destination
They found it in the old Lanai restaurant. With months of planning, they transformed it into The Pavilion Surf Club — a surf-pavilion-style space on Legian Beach with panoramic sport and ocean views.

Building in the Eye of the Storm
COVID hit mid-build. Borders closed. Tourism stalled.
Where most projects died, Emma’s team leaned in. Skilled builders, top-tier materials, and an unshakable vision carried the Pavilion from blueprint to reality.

More Than a Venue — A Bali Oasis
Today, the Pavilion Surf Club is more than a bar or restaurant — it’s a living postcard of Bali’s easy-going surf culture, a place where locals, travelers, and wave-chasers cross paths daily.

🏄 Follow the journey:
Facebook — Pavilion Surf Club Legian Beach
Instagram —

06/04/2024

From 51 Countries to Bali’s Creative Core — How Kara Wang Built a Global Design Brand

Kara Wang doesn’t just design — she architects experiences.
Born in China, raised in Texas, and forged in the high-stakes world of corporate finance, she traded balance sheets for brand blueprints — and built a career that now spans three continents.

Corporate to Creative — The Leap
After years as a UI/UX designer and project manager, Kara walked away from the predictable to chase the possible. That decision sparked a nomadic run across 51 countries, each stop adding a layer to her design eye and entrepreneurial instincts.

Planting the Flag in Bali
Bali wasn’t just another pin on the map — it became HQ.
Here she founded Mengxi Kara Wang, a design studio blending global perspective with local edge. Her work cuts across user experience design, branding, and digital strategy — delivering for clients from New York to Europe without losing the island pace.

Life Beyond the Studio
Kara’s connection to Bali is more than work. Immersed in the island’s culture and creative circles, she draws from its landscapes, traditions, and community to fuel both her projects and her life.

A Creative Force Without Borders
With roots in Asia, a voice in the US, and a portfolio that speaks globally, Kara has become a sought-after creative for brands ready to think bigger, move faster, and connect deeper.

🎙 Hear how Kara blends nomadic freedom with design precision in her Bali Unplugged episode — and why her best work still lies ahead.

06/04/2024

06/04/2024

Kevin Garcia is a true renaissance man - part world traveler, part relationship expert, and all-around charismatic coach. After years of navigating the complexities of dating and relationships across the globe, Kevin has honed his skills as a sought-after dating and lifestyle mentor.
With a unique blend of personal experience, psychological insight, and an infectious zest for life, Kevin guides his clients on transformative journeys of self-discovery and romantic fulfillment. From the bustling streets of New York to the sun-drenched beaches of Bali, he has helped singles and couples alike unlock the secrets to building meaningful, lasting connections.
Relationship Wisdom from a Life Well-Traveled
As a globetrotting dating coach, Kevin's perspectives are shaped by his diverse experiences and cultural immersions around the world. He seamlessly blends ancient wisdom with modern relationship dynamics, empowering his clients to approach love and intimacy with confidence, authenticity, and a touch of adventure.
Whether you're seeking to overcome dating roadblocks, reignite the spark in your relationship, or simply learn to love yourself more deeply, Kevin's guidance promises to be a transformative experience.

29/03/2024

Create unfathomable amounts of work, that people can’t even keep up. This is an attention economy, Generate massive amounts of actions and word of mouth will follow. Don’t be afraid to p**s people off

28/03/2024

28/03/2024

Terje H. Nilsen is the owner and director of Seven Stones Indonesia, a company that provides exceptional professional legal services to businesses in Indonesia. He has been living in Indonesia for over 20 years and has extensive experience in the legal landscape of the country.

In this episode of Bali Unplugged, we discuss Terje's experience moving and living in Bali, as well as the legal aspects of ownership in Bali. Terje shares his insights on the legal landscape, the challenges faced by businesses in Bali, and the ever-shifting regulatory environment. He also provides tips and tricks for navigating the complexities of business law in Bali.

Join us as we explore the legal side of the Bali business landscape with Terje H. Nilsen from Seven Stones Indonesia.

27/03/2024

The Man, The Myth, The legend Mr Florent Delente Himself. Florent is a financial expert and the founder of ILAGlobal, a consulting firm that provides financial investment advice to businesses in Bali, Jakarta, and Singapore. He is highly recommended by Bali Unplugged for his expertise in the financial landscape of Bali.

In this episode of Bali Unplugged, we discuss the financial aspects of doing business in Bali. Florent shares his insights on the investment opportunities, the challenges faced by businesses in Bali, and the ever-shifting regulatory environment. He also provides tips and tricks for navigating the complexities of financial investment in Bali.

Join us as we explore the financial side of the Bali business landscape with Florent Delente from ILAGlobal.

📸 ILA Global Consulting
https://ilaglobalconsulting.com/