Erin: I was a buyer and account manager in the “Prestige Beauty” sector.
Ghita: I was a management consultant at a Big 4 serving Fortune 500 companies. I started my career in Europe and moved to the US in 2007.
Erin: My soul was empty. I needed positivity, collaboration, and action.
Ghita: I was valued for my project management skills, but I felt something was missing. Three years ago, I was at a particular crossroads in my life and career in the US and I hired a coach to help me figure out what’s next. The more I learned about coaching, the more I knew these were the skills/tools/frameworks I needed to affect lasting change and impact.
Erin: Through a mom network. A friend of mine posted on behalf of me advertising my services. I had six prospects just from that one post.
Ghita: I reached out to my personal network to offer discovery calls and my first client was my broker (also an expat in the city).
Erin: I’m an inventive eCommerce strategist who will uncover hidden opportunities in your site and email marketing, boosting your online sales!
Ghita: Most expats are smart and successful on the outside, but their lives don’t work. I am an executive coach and I help expats uncover their biggest blindspots and close the gap between the international career and life they dreamed of and the one they actually have.
Erin: I love being of service to my clients and working alongside them. I am addicted to the daily feeling of accomplishment and pushing myself to learn new things every day.
Ghita: I get to choose my clients and my colleagues/people to partner with. This kind of freedom of choice has been a game-changer for me personally and professionally.
Erin: Actually making good money and learning so much more than I ever did in any of my corporate jobs.
Ghita: There are so many wins. Perhaps the biggest win and motivator is the feedback from my clients who tell me that they feel seen and understood like never before in their global life. They move from stress and overwhelm in the face of complex change to feeling alive and trusting themselves and their path.
Erin: I committed to tasks that were outside my scope of expertise. I learned that unlike working in the full-time corporate world, I now have choices. I can say no to the projects and clients that aren’t right for me.
Ghita: It’s very humbling to start a new career. No matter how successful you were before, you will stumble. I think accepting that and finding a way to keep moving forward and grow when you stumble is a key lesson I learned.
Erin: Talk to as many other solopreneurs as possible! And ask everything they’re willing to answer. Buying them lunch or drinks to show your appreciation definitely helps.
Ghita: Have an idea of your vision (your why) and take the next step or baby step towards that.
Erin: Know that it is a daily hustle but it is a rewarding hustle. You build up your business brick by brick so remember to just do the next right thing. Not all problems have to get solved all at once so take it easy on yourself.
Ghita: Get clear on your motivation and why you want to go on your own. Get support from like-minded people and entrepreneurs who are a few steps ahead of you.
Erin: My philosophy is “it works if you work it.” If you put energy into the universe, the universe will answer back and you’ll get results. Don’t get bogged down if there’s a setback. It’s just your higher power setting the stage for something magnificent.
Ghita: Work smarter not harder. The connections to the people who already know you and trust you are very valuable. Your previous colleagues, your family, your friends. Those people want your success and will support you- so ask!
Erin: That there are more resources out there than you think! (like The Upside!)
Ghita: It is trial and error all the way. Failure is part of success.
Thanks so much Erin and Ghita – you inspire us and so many others who want to build something of their own! Here’s more about our featured Upside members:
