Who I Work With…meet my girls!

(let me know if you identify with one of them, or more than one!)

Juliana-The Aspiring Business Owner

Juliana (“Jules”) is a 43-year-old mother of three high-achieving children, Andres (12), Luis (10), and Emilia (8) and is the doting wife to Henry (46), a partner for a reputable International Law Firm. 

Having grown up as an expat her entire life, Jules was raised to think of the world as her playground. She was always empowered to dream big and despite having moved multiple times in her life, she thrived on being immersed in different cultures. So, when she married Henry and they moved frequently for his work, it was almost second nature for Jules to adapt. Over the past 15 years she has devoted her time to being the best mother and the best wife she could be, taking care of the kids and supporting Henry as he’s risen through the ranks of his international law firm.

People often praised Jules for her organizational skills, being able to multitask like a mastermind and juggle even the most chaotic schedules (for both her kids and her husband). Yet, deep inside, Jules constantly feels like she could do, have, or become MORE. Sure she is praised for her immaculate meals and for having “good kids” but what she wants to be proud of and recognized for is creating something of her own where she can showcase her many talents and skills. 

She wants to be the role model for her kids to chase their dreams – but, how can she when she isn’t living out her own? She’s always wanted to help provide for the household, outside of the traditional domestic duties, but she’s worried about juggling work, kids, and family life. She loves her kids, undoubtedly, but she knows there is something else that she has inside that she wants to bring into the world and the idea of never going after ‘it’ absolutely terrifies her. But, what exactly, that ‘it’ is, she’s not quite sure.

If Jules could get clear on what she really wants, what steps to take now to go after it, and how to step into her next level version of herself, then she could finally stop ‘waiting’ for the perfect day and actually put the fear, self doubt, and hidden shame she feels behind her… and create the purpose-filled life she’s craving.

Monica’s story – The ‘New’ Stay-at-Home Mom

Monica, 35, an expat mom from Chile married to Miguel (38), a research scientist and mom to Albert (11) and Cynthia (5). Back home, she was a highly successful entrepreneur, running a family-owned business with her sisters. However, shortly after marrying Miguel, Monica realized that one day she would have to leave to travel abroad to support his career. 

For the ten years that they have been married, Miguel has traveled for months at a time, leaving Monica at home with their kids in Chile. But, with a new 3-year research faculty position available at Harvard University in Massachusetts, it’s time for the entire family to move to the United States. In Monica’s eyes, the move is only temporary and it will give the kids a chance to strengthen their English which could help them in the long run. However, even learning how to navigate a completely new school system – for two kids – in a new country has been extremely stressful.

Everyone seems to have transitioned well into their new home, except for Monica. She misses her family that she was so close to. She misses being able to make her own money. She misses the challenge of entrepreneurship and being able to make decisions that she felt she could be proud of or actually have a say in. Now, when she’s not shuttling her kids to school or activities, she’s at home cooking or cleaning and wondering what else there is for her. She would love to try her hand at creating something of her own, but “why do it now, if we’re just going to move” is what she tells herself and this stops her in her tracks. 

If she could find a way to tap into her own inner strengths and passions, then she could move beyond the resentment she’s starting to feel toward Miguel and truly identify her vision for her life and her goals – even if it’s just for their short time in America.

Tatyana’s story-The Professional Working Woman

Tatyana, (38), is a highly successful Business Development Consultant for a global Fortune 500 company, headquartered in New York City. Two years ago, Tatyana moved from Lisbon to the busy hustle and grind of Manhattan. Over the years, she has done very well for herself, rising through the ranks quickly and being promoted to Senior VP Business Development, America’s for the NYC region.

Although she has excelled financially, she continues to struggle to find where she fits in, in this new place she calls home. She has been able to network and find a very small group of international women, but they don’t seem to have the same challenges that she does. Even simple things like finding a dry cleaners, buying a car, or finding a primary care doctor she can trust have felt like lonely uphill battles. 

It has been difficult for Tatyana to adjust to new routines and even though she has been able to rapidly excel in her new position, it has come at a great cost — her self-care. The accolades, recognition, and awards she’s been able to win don’t really help her close the ‘outsider’ gap she feels that is forming within her. She wants to be that same confident, level headed, goal getter Tatyana that she is back home, but with everything going on and with so many complexities for her to learn and master she’s starting to lose herself to work. 

If she could find someone that could give her support, help her get clear on her career and personal goals while working in the United States, and help her tap into a tribe of supportive, like-minded, ambitious expat women (who would understand her challenges), then she would feel more confident and powerful to show up for herself.

April’s story-The New Mom & American Expat Abroad

April, (31), is a rising, very ambitious woman who is married to Jorgé, a highly successful business development consultant within a rapidly-growing NGO. Recently, Jorgé was promoted to VP Business Development, Latin America and was asked to relocate to Peru for a two-year assignment to help establish a Latin American division of the nonprofit. To top it off, April is 5 months pregnant and can’t wait to welcome her baby — even if it’s in a new country.

To prepare for the move, April resigned from her consultant position and the couple has agreed that she will focus her time on the new baby and getting acclimated to Peru – as opposed to her looking for a new job. Yet, despite everything April did to emotionally, mentally, and socially prepare herself for the move, the first three months have been very difficult for her to adjust. On top of entering into her last months of pregnancy, she’s found it extremely hard to find doctors and comfortably navigate the healthcare system. She’s tried to make friends with her neighbors, but she constantly feels awkward and excluded — no matter how hard she tries to be friendly.

There are so many cultural components she knows exists that she’s just not equipped to navigate or fully understand which is plunging her into a space of believing that she’ll never ‘feel’ at home in this country. 

If she could find the support she needs to navigate this new environment then she can find a way to enjoy this new experience AND be the happy mom that she wants to be for her baby.