Podcast Summary: CANCELLED ❌

Episode: POR ESTO MUCHOS JÓVENES SE ESTÁN YENDO de ESPAÑA ⚠️ JOSÉ AGUADO
Host: Wall Street Wolverine (Víctor)
Guest: José Aguado
Date: July 20, 2025
Theme: An in-depth conversation about economic, political, and social trends pushing Spanish youth to leave Spain, with a sharp focus on digital careers, entrepreneurship, the shifting value of work, and the allure of destinations like Dubái.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into why many young Spaniards are emigrating, with special emphasis on the digital economy, cultural mindsets about money, and the comparative advantages of working and living abroad. Guest José Aguado shares his personal journey from traditional sales jobs in Spain to building a multi-client sales agency and eventually relocating to Dubái. The discussion explores the differences in work ethic and opportunity between Spain, Latin America, and the Middle East, offering honest advice for those considering digital careers or international moves.

Key Topics & Insights

1. The Spanish Work & Sales Mentality

• Cultural Aversion to Wealth:

  • “Uno de los mayores problemas que tiene España… es que está como mal visto el querer sacar rédito económico a ciertas actividades o querer ganar dinero.” – Víctor (20:28)
  • The pursuit of wealth is stigmatized, and aspiring to make more money can be viewed with suspicion or envy in Spain.

• Barriers for Young Workers:

  • José describes being criticized for entering sales after studying economics—“literalmente no necesitas carrera”—exposing rigid expectations about “proper” career paths. (04:02)
  • Emphasizes the disconnect between academia and real market skills, particularly in sales and the digital sector.

• The Power of Digital Sales:

  • Both host and guest argue that roles like closer and setter in the digital sphere can be far more lucrative than traditional corporate jobs, and universities aren’t adapting curricula to this new reality. (03:11)

2. José Aguado’s Journey: From Traditional Sales to Digital Agency Owner

• Humble Beginnings:

  • José started selling door-to-door energy contracts at 19 in Segovia, confronting discomfort and social awkwardness head-on:
    “Es una cosa muy salvaje, pero bueno, de este tipo de experiencias, a nadie le viene mal.” (05:33)
  • Transitioned through stints at Banco Santander (where he was encouraged to pursue sales due to his personality), then into startups focusing on innovation and renewable energy. (06:36)

• Discovering "Closing":

  • The leap to digital was sparked by a university friend explaining the U.S. “closer” model—selling high-ticket items for 10–20% commission—and realizing the potential of remote sales work. (07:14)
  • “Yo tenía la habilidad correcta, pero estaba en el campo incorrecto.” (07:14)

• Scaling Up:

  • Worked long days, shifting from 9-6 in traditional sales and 6-10 in digital closing until he outearned his day job and committed to entrepreneurship, eventually running an agency with 150+ people and 15+ clients. (10:59–11:55)

3. Barriers to Selling & Making Money in Spain

• Hostility to Success:

  • Spanish society and government often create obstacles for those seeking financial advancement. Taxation and bureaucracy push high-performing young people to seek better opportunities abroad. (21:00)
  • “A nadie nos obligan a estar en España, que tú ahora molestas a la juventud española y te quedas sin juventud española, que eso antes no pasaba.” (21:00)

• Variable-Dependent Work:

  • Many Spaniards are suspicious of commission-based careers, equating them with exploitation, while successful closers embrace the upside. (12:46)
  • José: “Si eres excelentemente bueno en lo que eres... vas a sacar más que con un fijo.” (13:00)

• Competitive Disadvantage:

  • Globalization and digitalization mean Spaniards are now competing with talent from everywhere, and without an adaptable mindset, Spain loses its competitive edge. (19:34)

4. Comparison: Spain, Latin America, Dubái

• Sales Cultures:

  • Spain is described as “el peor país para vender del mundo” due to high mistrust and economic reluctance to spend. (16:28)
  • Latin America, for all its economic struggles, is highlighted for its ambitious, energetic workforce:
    “Si Latinoamérica tuviera dinero sería una absoluta mina de oro para todos los negocios en general.” (16:28)
  • Latin Americans are seen as willing to take chances, despite frequent scams; Spaniards are noted for their caution and demand for trust. (17:23)

• Life Abroad: Drawbacks and Advantages

  • José outlines his migration path: First Portugal (for fiscal benefits), then Dubái (for long-term opportunity and quality of life).
    “Yo comencé yéndome a Portugal y después ya me he ido a Dubái definitivamente.” (21:00)
  • Dubái praised for ease of doing business, lack of bureaucracy, safety, and pragmatic governance versus Europe's high taxes and social suspicion.
    “Dubái está genial… han montado una estrategia de marketing cojonuda.” (22:34)

5. Dubái: Reality vs. Stereotypes

• Ease & Benefits:

  • Emirates ID simplifies bureaucracy—“con el Emirates ID puedes hacer todo desde Internet.” (43:06)
  • “Todo son facilidades, todo son buenas palabras y entras en un clima en el que sabes que pase lo que pase, vas a ir a un sitio, te lo van a solucionar.” (43:18)
  • Safe, multicultural, meritocratic: “El país se está occidentalizando cada vez.” (25:26)

• Cultural Flexibility:

  • English is the lingua franca; government cares more about economic contribution than enforcing language or cultural conformity. (40:33)

• Challenges:

  • Intense heat, variable quality of properties, some communication issues due to heavy subcontinent immigration, and the private healthcare system (around €1200-1500/year for robust coverage, risk of high costs without insurance). (66:53)
  • Not all pay 0% tax—José’s agency pays 9%. (66:10)
  • Quality of air is poor, and the intense summer is almost unlivable outdoors. (62:05, 63:02)

6. Gender, Motivation, and Techniques in Sales

• Sales Skills and Mindset:

  • Trust and confidence are key to selling:
    “Para mí la clave de la venta como tal es que la persona pueda bajar la guardia contigo en el menor tiempo posible.” (69:03)

• Men vs. Women in Sales:

  • Men and women both succeed but employ differing strategies and motivations. Men respond more to ambition/escalation, women to stability and pragmatism. (75:37)
  • On teams, men seek status/advancement, women value stability and fair pay. (79:41)
  • Women often build trust quickly and excel in real estate sales. (77:33)

• On Scripts and Authenticity:

  • Early on, scripts help, but mastery comes from adapting naturally: “Cuando tú tienes una confianza real de que siendo quien eres te van a comprar, entras en una llamada y tienes que estar completamente abierto de lo que te puedas encontrar enfrente.” (83:26)

7. Social Media, Motivation, and the Modern Young Worker

• Impatience & Jumping Trends:

  • Criticism of youth bouncing between business fashions (ecommerce, crypto, etc.) without focus or long-term commitment. (114:19)
  • “Vivimos en una sociedad de absoluta inmediatez en la que queremos todo ya.” (113:36)
  • Recipe for success: Deep focus, embracing long ‘unpaid’ periods, and playing the long-term game.

• Choosing the Right Opportunity:

  • Digital skills like YouTube/video creation have low barriers and high upside—no risk but immense potential. (117:16)
  • Building community and personal brand are the true levers for lasting impact and business.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• About leaving Spain:

  • “Ahora mismo estamos en un mundo en el que si me jodes... el impacto de momento quizá no lo estás notando, pero yo creo que a largo plazo, en el momento en el que las personas... que están generando riqueza se te están yendo, hay un porcentaje alto de gente brillante que se te está escapando.” – José (31:32)

• On Dubái’s attraction:

  • “En Dubái a las 3 de la mañana puedes hacer lo que quieras.” – Víctor (52:29)
  • “El gobierno de Dubái lo ve todo como un negocio; mientras seas económicamente positivo todo va bien.” – José (40:33)

• Sales philosophy:

  • “Lo mejor que puedes hacer es ser puto normal, que es que cada vez es más difícil.” – Jose (72:03)
  • “La campechanía... es lo que hace el clic en el sector.” – Jose (70:04)

• Generational differences:

  • "Las personas que tienen 50, 60, 70 años se han construido en una sociedad en la que se han tenido que ganar el pan…" (89:24)
  • "La juventud española... compra formaciones simplemente como sustitución de una carrera o de un máster que se meten porque se lo han pagado sus padres y no hacen nada." (89:24)

Noteworthy Segment Timestamps

• The stigma of wealth in Spain: 20:28
• José’s journey from university to digital closing: 04:02, 07:14, 10:59
• Comparison: Spain vs. LatAm in sales: 16:28, 17:23
• Realities of moving to Dubái: 22:00, 40:33, 43:06
• Discussion on gender and sales motivation: 75:37, 77:33, 79:41
• The dangers of inmediatez and trend-hopping: 113:36, 114:19
• Advice for young people considering entrepreneurship: 104:25, 112:57

Takeaways & Advice

• Spain’s cultural and regulatory environment is pushing ambitious youth abroad.
• Digital sales roles and agencies offer lucrative, flexible paths—well beyond traditional options.
• Success requires humility, perseverance, the ability to build trust, and adapting to inevitable setbacks.
• Life in Dubái offers real advantages (ease, safety, economic incentives), but has its tradeoffs.
• Don’t let impatience or trends distract from focused long-term effort; results are exponential with persistence.
• Personality and trust beat scripts in sales; embrace authenticity and empathy.

Closing Message

“La oportunidad está ahí: negocios digitales, ventas, marketing, IA... lo importante es quitarte el estigma y probar. Puede transformarte la vida.”
— José Aguado (126:05)

Anyone considering a digital career, international move, or simply making use of new economic opportunities in a globalized world will find this episode both refreshingly candid and immensely practical.