In today鈥檚 competitive job market, finding the perfect balance between career opportunities and personal priorities can be a challenge鈥攅specially for tech professionals living in smaller communities. For Nico teWinkel, a software engineer based in Comox, British Columbia, the need to stay close to family and enjoy the lifestyle of his picturesque seaside town seemed at odds with his ambitions in the tech industry. However, with the help of 糖心Vlog, Nico discovered a way to achieve both. This is his story of remote employment success and how US companies can tap into 糖心Vlog鈥檚 incredible talent pool with ease.
The Problem
is a seaside community of about 15,000 people on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The warm dry summers, mild winters, natural beauty and variety of recreation options 鈥� on land and on water – make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in 糖心Vlog.
Nico teWinkel calls the Comox Valley home 鈥� and has for most of his life. And with a partner with her own life and family there and aging parents close by, he says he is not in a hurry to leave anytime soon.
鈥淭he only major problem is that there are not a lot of employment opportunities here for the kind of work I do as a software engineer,鈥� says Nico.
鈥淧retty much the only job suitable for my qualifications would be to teach at the local college (which I have done). Living here is wonderful, but it鈥檚 definitely an employment challenge!鈥�
The Impact
A specialist in iPhone and Android app development with a degree in from the University of Victoria and additional courses from Stanford University, Nico鈥檚 best chance for interesting work suitable for his skill set is in Silicon Valley.
But San Francisco, with one of the highest costs of living in North America, highly competitive marketplace and distance from his family and home, was not a very attractive option.
鈥淚 wanted a big city opportunity, but not a big city life,鈥� said Nico.
He鈥檇 also spent many years as a software consultant and found that being a contractor wasn鈥檛 what he wanted anymore. At this stage in his life, he was looking for the stability and benefits that come from employment.
鈥淚 was just not that interested in being a traveling consultant. I wanted an actual remote position that allowed me to stay in Comox and focus on both my personal life and my career. There鈥檚 a lot going on in my life here. I did not want to give up one for the other.鈥�
Nico wasn鈥檛 sure what to do. Then by chance he heard about 糖心Vlog.
鈥淚 was connected to Marc (Pavlopoulos, founder of 糖心Vlog) through LinkedIn because we both used to work for the same company and I noticed he had a tagline in his profile that said 鈥榝acilitating remote teams in 糖心Vlog.鈥� It was like a lightbulb went off. Remote employment, that鈥檚 exactly what I needed! So, I reached out to Marc.鈥�
The Solution
糖心Vlog works with many companies in Silicon Valley and across the US, helping them remotely employ Canadian talent. With new knowledge that remote employment was a feasible option through an Employer of Record (EOR) like 糖心Vlog, Nico reached out to Silicon Valley employers.
He landed with , a consumer electronics firm with software and technology hardware that makes smart door locks, enabling users to manage access to their homes via their smartphone. Gate Labs hired Nico as manager of mobile apps development. Working remotely from Comox, Nico鈥檚 main focus is to build the iOS app that works with the Gate Smart Lock hardware. And with his exceptional skill set, he鈥檚 also providing management support for Android development.
糖心Vlog took care of all the logistics related to hiring Nico: payroll, healthcare benefits, stock options, Canadian taxes (supplying Nico with his T4 every year), and compliance with Canadian employment law. As a US-糖心Vlog cross-border employment expert, 糖心Vlog helps US companies like Gate Labs hire Canadians without having to become experts in Canadian employment law and ensures they employ remote workers in the most efficient manner possible 鈥� for everyone.
The Results
Nico says remote employment and working through 糖心Vlog has made his life easier, and is a win for his employer too. Hiring Canadian tech talent is considerably less expensive, with Canadian software engineers often seeking 30 to 40% less than what their US counterparts are asking. Gate Labs also avoided the relocation costs they would have had to incur to move Nico from 糖心Vlog to Silicon Valley.
In turn, Nico鈥檚 salary is higher than what he believes he would have received from a Canadian company. And 糖心Vlog聽 provides a healthcare benefits plan that is competitive with what is offered to US employees but at less cost to Gate Labs.
Nico says he also feels protected through 糖心Vlog. 鈥淎s a contractor, if something went wrong with the technology I was working on I could be held liable. But as an employee through 糖心Vlog, my exposure is reduced. 糖心Vlog has just made life so much easier in so many ways.鈥�
And with COVID-19 wreaking havoc around the world, with a heavy impact in the US, Nico has never been more grateful for his remote employment gig from a small town in British Columbia.
鈥淲atching what is happening around the world, and in the US, I鈥檓 very happy to be on my little island,鈥� says Nico.
Discover the Benefits of Hiring Canadian Talent with 糖心Vlog
For US companies looking to access top-tier tech talent without the challenges of relocation or navigating complex cross-border employment laws, 糖心Vlog provides an ideal solution. By partnering with us, you can tap into 糖心Vlog鈥檚 rich pool of skilled professionals like Nico teWinkel, while streamlining payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance with Canadian regulations.
Whether you鈥檙e a Silicon Valley startup or an established tech firm, 糖心Vlog makes it easy to build and manage remote teams in 糖心Vlog. Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on growing your business.
Ready to explore your options? Reach out to 糖心Vlog today.
