Living in Ecuador: The Story of Pro-Ecuador.com
by Gary Phillips
This website is about inspiring you to make the leap into a new life, to discover first-hand that you can live your dreams. This website, Pro-Ecuador.com, is here to help.
My wife Linda and I and a host of associates have one overriding goal: to lead you to experience an Aha! moment that may change your life forever. One of those wonderful moments when the light bulb goes on and suddenly you just know what to do next.
This type of experience occurred for me when I got my first professional job after completing college in the early '70s. A chance encounter with an old friend on the streets of my rural Minnesota hometown resulted in his offering me a job.
Just Say "Yes!"
After his two-minute
job description, I
immediately and enthusiastically said,
“Yes!” That
brief, perfectly-timed encounter shaped virtually every moment of my
life for the next 10 years. Saying
'yes' came in a rush from
somewhere deep inside me and I seized the moment!
This same phenomenon happens often in Ecuador. We
came to Cotacachi to attend some business
courses and met Jason Murphy, a young North American married to an
Ecuadorian
woman. We kept in touch by
e-mail. I was impressed by Jason’s
enthusiasm for his new life, his curiosity and sharp
intellect.
Everything Came Together
A few weeks later Linda and I
met two
Ecuadorians, Martha and Hugo Perez, at a party in Cotacachi.
They
had just moved back to Ecuador from Washington, D.C. Months
later, we called Martha
for help in getting our Ecuadorian resident visas.
Jason came
to mind as a
possible connection for investment contacts in the states and I called
him. Jason and his wife Tania decided to join us in creating a
new business, Ecuador Development Group Inc, or
EDG. Jason's computer skills helped get our business and website up and
running.
After working with us for a year, Martha and Jason decided to leave the
business.
Martha is focusing on the operation of her B&B, while Jason
and Tania
decided to return to the U.S.
Pro-Ecuador continues to grow, moving more into real
estate and now development. We formed a new Ecuadorian Company
called Eagle and Condor Internacional Cia.Ltd.
Another Perfect Alignment
In the summer
of 2008, Linda and I purchased 28 acres of land just outside
Cotacachi with two other couples. Once again, great partners came
along, expressed their interest in living and working together, and we
did not hesitate.
Our intention is to create
a green, self-sustainable, ecological community. How we
acquired
the land and met our partners is another story, but it included many
synchronicities and magical moments, especially during the week-long
brainstorming charrette which laid the foundation for our green
development.
One of the Secrets of Success
I’m
sharing our process with you to demonstrate one of the secrets not only
of successful business but of successful living. With a clear
intention set forth, all
you really have to do is keep the faith, prepare the foundation, watch the signs, and then
take action when you feel that 'Aha.'Our purpose is to communicate with you, our reader, in a personal way that will help you collect the information you need to make that leap of faith to come to Ecuador. Endless possibilities await your exploration.
We want you to feel that you have advisers, advocates, and most importantly, new friends, who can help make your experience of living in Ecuador enjoyable and fulfilling--whether it's a short visit, retirement, investment, or for the rest of your life.


