Oliver Lean didn’t always see himself as an entrepreneur. As a London-based executive for Nestlé, he had carved out a steady and lucrative career in procurement, managing multimillion-dollar budgets with precision. However, when the opportunity to relocate to Panama presented itself, he took a leap of faith that would set him on a new path, transforming him into a rising entrepreneur in Panama’s thriving events and real estate sectors. In an interview with Amplify Your Business, Oliver shares the uncharted course of his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he’s learned, and the grit that continues to drive his success.

A Leap of Faith: From London to Panama

In 2018, Oliver’s career was steady, but his drive for new challenges was calling. “I came down for two years thinking I’d work here for a while and then move on,” he says. “Five years later, I’m here to stay, with a couple of businesses under my belt and more in the pipeline. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Moving from London to Panama was, as Oliver puts it, “one of the best decisions of my life.”

Though Nestlé was a valuable career step, Oliver found himself longing for a deeper purpose beyond corporate life. “I’d been in procurement, managing as much as $400 million of commodities spend at one point,” he recalls. “I knew my job well, but I was never the model Procurement Manager, as the job didn’t give me purpose, and that’s when it hit me – I was too comfortable.” This realization became the springboard for the next phase of his journey.

Building a New Community with Panamigos

As Oliver settled into his new life in Panama, he and a close friend noticed a gap in the market for social networking among the city’s growing expat community. “We started a WhatsApp group for expats—a place for people like us who wanted to meet others. What began with 20 people quickly grew,” he says. This small venture, born from a simple idea, took on a life of its own. “Before we knew it, Panamigos had turned into a full-blown community platform with over 16,000 members,” Oliver recalls with a smile.

Panamigos evolved beyond mere social events; it became a thriving business. “We went from hosting casual meetups to throwing events with hundreds of people on rooftop venues, all while fostering genuine connections among Panama’s expat community,” he shares. The success of Panamigos not only gave Oliver his first taste of entrepreneurship but also cemented his reputation as a community leader in Panama.

Launching Panamigos Realty

The success of Panamigos opened doors for another venture: Real estate. “With our network and community reach, the idea for Panamigos Realty was a natural progression,” Oliver says. “We had a trusted community, a wealth of contacts, and a solid understanding of the market.” Oliver, his business partner Luke, and a veteran real estate agent pooled their expertise and resources, launching Panamigos Realty with an ambitious goal—to become Panama’s top real estate agency.

Oliver’s experience in corporate structures provided him with a crucial skill set for the high-growth real estate firm. “One thing the corporate world taught me was the importance of process. You have to think ahead—if we go from 4 to 400 employees, what wouldn’t work?” With these systems in place, Panamigos Realty scaled rapidly. Within six months, they expanded from a team of four to fourteen and secured a top-three ranking among real estate agencies in Panama City.

Grit, Resilience, and Lessons from Hard Times

Looking back on the factors that set him apart, Oliver attributes much of his success to resilience and a strong work ethic forged in his youth. “Growing up, my family didn’t have much, and I worked long hours in supermarkets to help my mom with rent. I didn’t realize it back then, but it taught me grit,” he reflects. “No matter how challenging things get now, I know I’m not dragging crates off a truck at 4 a.m.”

Oliver is candid about the challenges too, admitting he had to build resilience after a tough experience at Nestlé. “I went through a tough time there, and it broke me down, but I also came out stronger and more focused. I learned that you have to push through hard times; they’re often the turning points that make you who you are.”

Leading by Example and Cultivating a Winning Team

As Panamigos Realty grew, so did Oliver’s role as a leader. “I never saw myself in a traditional leadership role, but now, here I am, coaching my team on Sundays and putting in the hours to make sure everyone succeeds.” Oliver is committed to fostering a culture of ownership and accountability within his team. “I want my people to feel like leaders,” he explains. “It’s commission-based, so I don’t want to be micromanaging them. Instead, I focus on helping them create internal drive.”

Oliver’s unorthodox leadership style emphasizes freedom, personal growth, and a shared sense of purpose. “I want them to build their personal brands,” he says. “Your content is your currency in this industry. I’m constantly pushing them to get their names out there and leverage their networks. It’s not about me alone; it’s about building something much bigger than any one of us.”

The Road Ahead: Scaling and Sustaining Success

The next six to twelve months are crucial for Panamigos Realty, and Oliver has ambitious goals in sight. “I want us to be on stage in December accepting the award for the top real estate company in the city,” he declares. It’s a milestone he believes will send a strong message. “If we can achieve that within our first year, it’ll speak volumes.”

At the same time, he is focused on ensuring that Panamigos Realty becomes a self-sustaining business, capable of running efficiently without his constant presence. “I often ask my team, ‘If we all went to Bali for three months, would this place keep running?’ That’s my vision—a business that thrives on its own, with people who take responsibility for its success.”

Rethinking Entrepreneurship

As he looks back on his journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, Oliver is passionate about dispelling myths about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. “People think you need to have some kind of superpower to start a business. But honestly, it comes down to grit, resilience, and showing up every day,” he says. “I want people to see that you don’t have to fit a certain mold. You don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m., take cold showers, and meditate every day to succeed. You just have to do the work and keep your head in the game.”

Oliver’s journey is a powerful testament to the idea that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for those who follow a certain formula. “I’m still the same person I was five years ago, just with a lot more confidence and a few more battle scars,” he laughs. “If I can inspire just one person to take that leap and pursue their dream, then it’s all worth it.”

Final Thoughts: A Ripple Effect of Empowerment

Oliver Lean’s story is more than a tale of business success; it’s a blueprint for anyone seeking to make their mark, regardless of background or circumstance. With each venture, he’s not just building businesses—he’s building a community, a family, and a legacy of resilience, optimism, and self-made success. As he puts it, “Panamigos started as a simple idea, but it’s become a beacon for what’s possible when you put yourself out there. And that’s just the beginning.”

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