From England to Bangkok: Success in Sales w/ Adam Porteous

In this episode of Made it in Thailand, we sit down with Adam Porteous, a dynamic professional who transitioned from journalism to marketing and sales, ultimately finding his place in Thailand. Adam shares his journey from playing collegiate soccer in the US to becoming the head of sales for a marketing agency in Bangkok. Discover the challenges he faced, the pivotal decisions that shaped his career, and why he believes Thailand is a catalyst for success. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with insights, anecdotes, and valuable advice for aspiring expats.

Building a successful sales career in Thailand requires adaptability, skill-building through diverse experiences, and leveraging global opportunities to thrive in dynamic markets. Here are five key insights from our conversation with Adam Porteous, head of sales at Pronto Marketing, each addressing common challenges for expats transitioning to professional roles in Southeast Asia.

• Pivot from Passion to Practical Skills for Career Resilience: Adam started with journalism but shifted to digital marketing amid post-financial crisis job shifts, emphasizing soft skills like communication over rigid paths. Many overlook evolving industries, leading to stagnation. In my consulting work since 2012, I’ve seen expats succeed by blending passions (e.g., writing) with in-demand skills like SEO; audit your background for transferable abilities to adapt in Thailand’s tech-driven economy.
• Leverage International Experiences to Build Confidence: Adam’s U.S. scholarship for soccer honed adaptability, from cultural immersion to teamwork, paving the way for global moves. Expats often hesitate on unfamiliar territories, missing growth. From advising relocators here, starting with low-risk adventures like trials builds resilience; seek scholarships or short gigs abroad to gain the edge in Thailand’s multicultural business scene.
• Embrace Freelance Transitions for Strategic Freedom: After IT reselling, Adam freelanced on projects, gaining management skills before traveling Asia, which led to his Thailand role. Relying solely on stable jobs limits flexibility. In my experience, hybrid models like Adam’s six-month gigs bolster savings for moves; test freelance platforms to validate ideas, ensuring cash flow for Thailand’s affordable yet opportunity-rich lifestyle.
• Evolve into Sales Through Expertise and Soft Skills: With a marketing foundation, Adam transitioned to consultative sales, blurring lines with account management for better client value. Sales novices undervalue domain knowledge, struggling in competitive fields. I’ve worked with teams where blending expertise (e.g., SEO) with communication drives 20-30% more deals; focus on relationship-building to excel in Thailand’s relationship-oriented markets.
• Seize Opportunities by Networking and Taking Leaps: Adam’s move to Thailand stemmed from friends and spontaneous decisions, like a Google ad for U.S. studies, leading to a thriving sales career. Isolation hinders progress in new countries. From my years here, building networks via expat groups accelerates job hunts; research protected sectors and apply boldly, as Adam did, to capitalize on Thailand’s safe, vibrant environment.

Adam’s pivot from journalism to digital marketing is a classic case of recognizing when your original plan doesn’t match market reality and being willing to adapt. Post-financial crisis, traditional media jobs dried up, and he could have stubbornly clung to journalism or wallowed in frustration. Instead, he identified transferable skills—writing, communication, storytelling—and applied them to a growing field. That kind of career resilience is essential in Thailand’s economy, which is increasingly tech-driven but still values soft skills like relationship-building and clear communication. If you’re an expat coming here with a background that doesn’t map cleanly to obvious roles, audit what you’re actually good at and figure out where those skills are valuable. Don’t get stuck on job titles or traditional paths.

The international experience Adam gained through his U.S. soccer scholarship was formative in ways that go far beyond sports. Living abroad, adapting to a new culture, working in teams with people from different backgrounds—all of that builds the kind of confidence and flexibility you need to thrive as an expat entrepreneur or professional. Too many people wait until they feel “ready” to take a leap, but readiness comes from doing, not planning. Adam’s advice to start with lower-risk adventures like short-term trials or scholarships is smart. You build proof to yourself that you can handle uncertainty, and that mental foundation makes bigger moves like relocating to Thailand way less intimidating.

Adam’s freelance phase was a strategic bridge that gave him both income and flexibility. After IT reselling, he took on project-based work that let him build management skills, save money, and eventually travel through Asia before landing in Thailand. A lot of people think it’s either full-time employment or entrepreneurship, but freelancing is a viable middle ground that can fund your lifestyle while you figure out your next move. Six-month contracts or platform-based gigs let you test ideas, build a financial cushion, and maintain location independence. In Thailand, where cost of living is low and opportunities are growing, that kind of flexibility is a massive advantage.

His evolution into sales through a marketing foundation is a great example of how expertise and soft skills compound. Adam wasn’t a “born salesman” doing high-pressure cold calls. He came from marketing, understood the product and client needs deeply, and used that knowledge to do consultative, relationship-driven sales. That blending of functions—sales, account management, strategy—is where real value gets created, and it’s especially effective in Thailand’s business culture, which prioritizes long-term relationships over transactional wins. If you’re in sales or thinking about it, focus on becoming an expert in what you’re selling and develop genuine communication skills. The “always be closing” stereotype doesn’t work here. Being helpful, informed, and trustworthy does.

Finally, Adam’s story of how he ended up in Thailand—friends, spontaneous decisions, a random Google ad—highlights the role of luck and openness in career trajectories. But luck favors people who network, say yes to opportunities, and take action without overthinking. Adam didn’t meticulously plan his move to Thailand years in advance. He stayed connected with people, explored options, and made the leap when it felt right. If you’re isolated, never putting yourself out there, or waiting for the perfect moment, you miss those serendipitous breaks. Build your network through expat groups, industry events, and online communities. Research what’s possible in Thailand’s job market, understand the protected sectors, and apply boldly. The country is safe, vibrant, and full of opportunities if you’re willing to show up and figure it out as you go.