My goal in life: visit all 195 countries in the world before I die....
MATT GRAY@matt_gray_
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Jan 19, 2024
~5 min read
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My goal in life: visit all 195 countries in the world before I die.
But after going to 100+ cities in the last 8 years, 1 place has BLOWN all the others out of the water.
Here’s why this city is perfect for high-value founders who want to build their empires:
But after going to 100+ cities in the last 8 years, 1 place has BLOWN all the others out of the water.
Here’s why this city is perfect for high-value founders who want to build their empires:
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Over the past few years, I've traveled the world, from Mexico City to Bali.
I’ve been searching for the perfect base, a place I can call home while I grow my $8M+/year businesses.
Every city had its charm, but none clicked. So I kept searching.
I’ve been searching for the perfect base, a place I can call home while I grow my $8M+/year businesses.
Every city had its charm, but none clicked. So I kept searching.
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@Naval says there are basically 3 big decisions that determine your life:
• Where you live
• Who you’re with
• What you do
• Where you live
• Who you’re with
• What you do
0:46
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@naval Where you are and who you’re surrounded by is pretty important for your life’s trajectory.
Choose your city, choose your tribe, choose your path.
Choose your city, choose your tribe, choose your path.
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@naval So no wonder I’ve been picky. I NEED a place that hits the right criteria:
• Bustling opportunity
• Easy global access
• Great founders
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Sunshine
• Nature
• Bustling opportunity
• Easy global access
• Great founders
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Sunshine
• Nature
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@naval I spoke with entrepreneurs who’d mastered the art of living well while building empires.
Founders doing serious revenue, building great businesses, and just living pretty badass lives.
Their secret? Dubai. A city of 10x growth, innovation, and opportunity.
Founders doing serious revenue, building great businesses, and just living pretty badass lives.
Their secret? Dubai. A city of 10x growth, innovation, and opportunity.
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@naval Harvard Business Review ranks Dubai as the rising star of global business hubs, right after New York and London.
And it’s not just the friendly tax rules - it's a city rooting for your success, not resenting it.
It's where the 'American Dream' wears an Emirati cloak.
And it’s not just the friendly tax rules - it's a city rooting for your success, not resenting it.
It's where the 'American Dream' wears an Emirati cloak.
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@naval That’s because the OG American Dream is dying. As a founder, I’ve seen a BIG contrast in attitudes towards wealth and innovation.
50% of Americans hate the idea of rich entrepreneurs - just look at Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. They’re walking targets.
The US is now anti-success.
50% of Americans hate the idea of rich entrepreneurs - just look at Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. They’re walking targets.
The US is now anti-success.
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@naval Instead of celebrating success stories, they’re taking them down.
There’s a resentment toward the wealth creators and the innovators.
A resistance against the people trying to take on risk and make it themselves.
There’s a resentment toward the wealth creators and the innovators.
A resistance against the people trying to take on risk and make it themselves.
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@naval It’s the same in Canada.
My first business, Bitmaker, was raided by the government.
We trained 2,000+ software engineers to go to places like Facebook, Google, and Shopify.
My first business, Bitmaker, was raided by the government.
We trained 2,000+ software engineers to go to places like Facebook, Google, and Shopify.
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@naval But instead of support, we found obstruction.
We were accused of operating as an unregistered university (I know…).
An attitude of suspicion and regulation from the very people who were meant to help us.
We were accused of operating as an unregistered university (I know…).
An attitude of suspicion and regulation from the very people who were meant to help us.
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@naval Thankfully, the community came together to fight the Ontario government - and we won.
But the damage was done.
The Canadian dream? Forget it.
I needed a space where ambition wasn't a liability.
But the damage was done.
The Canadian dream? Forget it.
I needed a space where ambition wasn't a liability.
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@naval There’s a saying in hockey:
Go where the puck’s going to be, not where it’s already been
I saw the writing on the wall - I needed to do my research on someplace new. A place where the future is already playing out.
And I realized the founders I’d been speaking to had it right.
Go where the puck’s going to be, not where it’s already been
I saw the writing on the wall - I needed to do my research on someplace new. A place where the future is already playing out.
And I realized the founders I’d been speaking to had it right.
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@naval Dubai’s a whole new ball game. It’s a place where success isn’t just admired; it's the foundation of its culture.
Founders are the heroes shaping the skyline, and the government gives them the platform to do it.
It’s a place where dreams get the space to grow.
Founders are the heroes shaping the skyline, and the government gives them the platform to do it.
It’s a place where dreams get the space to grow.
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@naval 50% of companies registered in Dubai are early-stage startups.
They raised >$2BN in funding in 2022, and it’s the fastest-growing space in MENA.
The city invites the bold and the brave - innovation is a communal goal, not a personal threat.
They raised >$2BN in funding in 2022, and it’s the fastest-growing space in MENA.
The city invites the bold and the brave - innovation is a communal goal, not a personal threat.
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@naval It ticked all my criteria:
Great community of founders, pro-innovation, clean, no crime, and amazing weather.
Wealth, health, relationships, it seemed to align with it all.
Great community of founders, pro-innovation, clean, no crime, and amazing weather.
Wealth, health, relationships, it seemed to align with it all.
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@naval I listened to my instinct, wanting to test if it was a Whole Body Yes.
My heart, head, and gut were all in alignment - “Yes”.
So I packed my bags and moved without ever visiting.
And it’s been pretty damn amazing.
My heart, head, and gut were all in alignment - “Yes”.
So I packed my bags and moved without ever visiting.
And it’s been pretty damn amazing.
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@naval Relationships here grow as fast as the city itself. 1 intro leads to 5 more; everyone’s starting out here so collaboration is the culture.
In weeks, I've been on podcasts, led workshops, and connected with minds that match my ambition.
Dubai isn't just a place; it's a network.
In weeks, I've been on podcasts, led workshops, and connected with minds that match my ambition.
Dubai isn't just a place; it's a network.
2:19
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@naval A sneak peak of my routine here:
Go to founder’s networking hubs, play in padel tennis leagues, daily yoga under the sun.
When I think of the winters back in Canada - miserable, rainy, snowy, cold… Yeah, I’m not doing that anymore.
Go to founder’s networking hubs, play in padel tennis leagues, daily yoga under the sun.
When I think of the winters back in Canada - miserable, rainy, snowy, cold… Yeah, I’m not doing that anymore.
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@naval The city's also a gateway to adventures I've only dreamt of. Some of my goals for 2024:
• Visit the Himalayas
• Go on a safari in Africa
• See the pyramids in Egypt
• Climb K2 and Mt. Kilimanjaro
It’s a launchpad to the world's wonders.
• Visit the Himalayas
• Go on a safari in Africa
• See the pyramids in Egypt
• Climb K2 and Mt. Kilimanjaro
It’s a launchpad to the world's wonders.
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@naval So, to every founder feeling stifled by growing anti-success sentiment:
Consider where you're planting your roots.
Seek a place that nourishes ambition, waters dreams, and basks in success.
You succeed in the sunlight of opportunity.
Consider where you're planting your roots.
Seek a place that nourishes ambition, waters dreams, and basks in success.
You succeed in the sunlight of opportunity.
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@naval I've set down roots with my partner, exploring and building a life.
Together, we're discovering what it means to live well.
Dubai might have been a bet, but every day it’s proving to be a winning one.
This city is not just where I live; it's where I thrive.
Together, we're discovering what it means to live well.
Dubai might have been a bet, but every day it’s proving to be a winning one.
This city is not just where I live; it's where I thrive.
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@naval My advice? Don't wait for every answer before making the move.
Find your criteria, trust your gut, and take the leap.
Build your life where you're celebrated, not just tolerated.
Dubai was my bold move. What's yours?
Find your criteria, trust your gut, and take the leap.
Build your life where you're celebrated, not just tolerated.
Dubai was my bold move. What's yours?
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@naval Want to Learn How To Build Out Your Own Personal Roadmap To $100k & Beyond?
Join my live (FREE) Workshop on Jan 18th (in 8 hours).
Attend Live & Get My "Overcoming The 4 Biggest Barriers To Your Success" Playbook FREE (worth $149)
Secure yours here:
founderos.com/workshop
Join my live (FREE) Workshop on Jan 18th (in 8 hours).
Attend Live & Get My "Overcoming The 4 Biggest Barriers To Your Success" Playbook FREE (worth $149)
Secure yours here:
founderos.com/workshop
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I created a free 5-day email course to teach you:
• How to grow a massive audience
• Ways to monetize your audience
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Bonus: You’ll receive my Vision Board System (worth $249) for free
Get it here:
mattgray.xyz/founder-os-min…
• How to grow a massive audience
• Ways to monetize your audience
• Systems to scale your business to $1+ million/year
Bonus: You’ll receive my Vision Board System (worth $249) for free
Get it here:
mattgray.xyz/founder-os-min…