Lisa Besserman: Queens, New York to Buenos Aires

## From Digital Nomad to Ecosystem Builder

Lisa Besserman arrived in Buenos Aires in November 2012 with a simple plan: work remotely for a few months and avoid the New York winter. She had no contacts, no friends, and no intention of staying long-term.

"I thought the best way to meet people would be to join the local startup community," she recalls. "I was surprised to find that despite all the entrepreneurs and talent in the city, there was no actual community. The landscape was fragmented and difficult to navigate."

That gap became her opportunity.

The New Yorker Mistake

Lisa's first attempts to build SUBA failed spectacularly - because she approached it like a New Yorker.

"I sent emails to influencers with quick, efficient pitches focused on impact and scalability. In New York, that works. In Buenos Aires, nobody responded. I was confused - this was an altruistic project that would help the entire community. Why wouldn't people want to get involved?"

A half-Argentine, half-American businessman set her straight: "Your emails are too forward. They could be interpreted as abrasive. In Latin America, relationships are one of the most valued aspects of business - and you missed that completely."

The Pivot That Changed Everything

Lisa rebuilt her approach around relationship-building. She started meeting people for coffee before discussing business. She asked about families, shared meals, built trust. Once she made relationships the priority, her response rate jumped to 100%.

"I learned to be rigid in my vision, but flexible in my execution. That became my mantra."

Building Through Chaos

SUBA launched as a simple resource hub but evolved into something bigger: a platform connecting Argentine developers with global clients. Along the way, Lisa navigated Argentina's infamous bureaucracy, economic crises, and cultural differences.

"Argentina is a revolving door of talent," she notes. "We've had to say goodbye to amazing team members because their time was up in the city or they moved on to start their own ventures. But that turnover also creates opportunity - fresh energy, new ideas, expanded networks."

The Dating Scene Bonus

Lisa also found personal happiness in Buenos Aires - marrying "an Argentine man who looks like a GQ model." She jokes that the dating scene was an unexpected perk of the move.

Advice for Entrepreneur Expats

"Argentina has incredibly forward-thinking entrepreneurs and technology specialists. Yes, the country may be behind on certain tools and infrastructure, but the intellectual capital here is extraordinary. If you're willing to adapt your execution style and prioritize relationships, Buenos Aires can be an incredible place to build something meaningful."

The Bottom Line

"SUBA has brought nearly $1 million USD to the country in development projects, jobs, and competitions. But more importantly, we've helped create a sense of community in a city that can feel isolating. That's the real success story."