In partnership with
John Drummond never planned to run a half-billion-dollar project in paradise or to advise one of the world’s leading AI governance think tanks in Oxford.
Fifteen years ago, he left the United States chasing self-discovery, not investors.
He lived in India, Thailand, and Taiwan, learned Mandarin, and coached TEDx speakers before a breakup pushed him to Bali. A chance meeting on a paddle court connected him to a partner with the vision to transform aged care in Indonesia. Alongside this, John contributes to Oxford’s Centre for the Governance of AI, providing him with access to top decision-makers and insight into how emerging tech shapes global policy.
Today, between boardrooms in Bali and policy conversations in Oxford, he is building luxury retirement communities for Australians who want world-class care at a fraction of the cost back home.
Big investors are buying this “unlisted” stock
When the founder who sold his last company to Zillow for $120M starts a new venture, people notice. That’s why the same VCs behind Uber and eBay also backed Pacaso. They made $110M+ in gross profit to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. Now, you can join, too.
Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
Reinvention on a Paddle Court
Bali started as a sanctuary, a place to surf, recharge, and rebuild.
But life has a way of rewarding those who keep showing up. On a local paddle court, John met an Australian entrepreneur who would become his business partner. That meeting sparked the concept for Aged Care Asia, a project aiming to create luxury retirement communities in Bali tailored to Australians. The pitch was compelling: skyrocketing aged-care costs in Australia, an aging population, and the allure of a tropical climate paired with world-class medical partnerships.
For Australians, it could mean better care, better weather, and a better price, all without sacrificing quality or safety.
Investors aren’t buying floor plans and financial models, they’re buying the people behind them.
The Vision, the Stakes, and the Network
The scale is enormous.
First-stage funding alone is projected at 15 to 50 million US dollars, with later phases ranging from 300 to 500 million. This is not about building a few villas. It is about designing a sustainable ecosystem that can stand the test of time. That means navigating Indonesia’s complex legal frameworks, securing land in special economic zones, and building with partners who already have proven track records.
One of the crown jewels in the plan is partnering with Aspen Medical, a company that has built hospitals in Australia and Jakarta.
🧠 Did you know? 💡
Bali offers rental leases as long as 25 years—making luxury community builds like Aged Care Asia possible for foreigners. Australians in Bali can’t own land outright but can secure leases ranging from one to 25 years, often at more favorable per‑year rates when extended longer. (learn more)
Bali’s cost of living (excluding rent) is nearly 49 percent lower than Melbourne’s—giving retirees a significant spending advantage.
Numbeo data shows that groceries, utilities, transport, and everyday expenses in Bali cost almost half what they do in Melbourne, before even considering housing savings. (learn more)
The Centre for the Governance of AI (GovAI) was spun out of Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute in 2021 and now advises on major global AI policy questions.
Founded in 2018, GovAI became an independent nonprofit in 2021 and has since shaped the growing field of AI governance through research, fellowships, and advisory roles. (learn more)
The Philosophy Behind the Project
John’s journey has been as much about personal mastery as professional milestones.
He admits that in his earlier years, he often drifted without a clear plan, letting life carry him rather than actively steering. But living abroad taught him the importance of self-awareness and emotional regulation. These skills have become the bedrock of his leadership style. In his words, leadership means being kind but firm with yourself, your team, and the market. It means recognizing when to adapt and when to hold the line. He applies the same thinking to Aged Care Asia. Do not rush to meet arbitrary timelines and do not compromise on quality just to show early wins.
For him, cultural nuances are not obstacles to bulldoze through. They are currents to navigate with patience.
Watch the full podcast:
Key Takeaways from John Drummond
Your next big break might come disguised as a detour. That breakup in Taiwan looked like a setback for John, but it landed him in Bali, where his biggest opportunities appeared. If you hit a wall in your current market or role, consider whether relocation, a new industry, or a new skill could unlock different doors.
Connections grow from showing up.
John met his partner on a paddle court, not in a boardroom. For you, that could mean joining an industry workshop, a niche Slack group, or even volunteering at an event in your field. Unlikely environments can yield high-value introductions.
Trust is the real currency.
Investors, clients, and partners are buying you before your product. Demonstrate reliability with visible wins, like delivering ahead of schedule, publishing transparent updates, or sharing client success stories, before asking for a bigger commitment.
Emotional mastery is an edge.
When deals stall or regulations change, the leader who keeps their cool keeps control. Build your tolerance for stress by creating decision-making checklists, debriefing after setbacks, and setting non-negotiable recovery routines.
Big visions require small, consistent moves over time.
John is building with a six-to-ten-year horizon. In your own business, identify what “long-term” means, then reverse-engineer it into quarterly goals. Patience isn’t waiting, it’s advancing without burning out or cutting corners.
That’s a wrap!
Talk soon,
Roman
Struggles? Good.
I help founders turn their story, values, and experience into a high-trust newsletter that attracts the right clients and drives consistent growth.
It’s all backed by real scars. I built and scaled a 7-figure nanotech business, sold over $10M in sales, lost it all, and rebuilt from scratch—twice.
If you’re ready to scale your business, let’s talk.
👇🏼