So What Is The Exciting New Venture...?

Hi Everyone! I hope you're enjoying a wonderful day/evening.

Remember last week when I mentioned that I had a new venture to tell you about? Well, I'm so excited to finally share it with you today.

Not interested in the new venture? That's okay. But please don't unsubscribe just yet because I have a feeling there might be some exciting 2014 Expat Women news to share with you in the coming months and I'd love you to be the first to know.

In the meantime, my really big personal news is that on October 30, 2013, I launched something very dear to my heart... a way to help frustrated job seekers get noticed (especially those of us who have gaps in our resumes from expat postings, parenting breaks, sabbaticals, volunteer stints and more).

The background...

It all started two years ago when I repatriated. Eager to get back into the traditional workforce, I struggled to get noticed for jobs. A recruiter friend told me that I had "too many gaps in my resume" and "was not stable" (because we had lived 3 years in Indonesia, 4 years in Mexico and 2 years in Malaysia).

Do you know how frustrating this feels? 

If yes, then great! Then you'll understand exactly why I decided to do something about it. But rather than bore you with text, here is a cartoon version of Our Story...

If you like what I'm trying to do, can you please spare a few minutes to help? This is the first venture I've started since putting Expat Women 'on a break' in March 2012. I'm starting from scratch again and would be so grateful if you could help spread the word?

Here are some quick and easy ways to do so..

1. Click 'like' on the Facebook button at the bottom of our home page

2. Post a shout-out online and/or email anyone you think might be interested

3. Watch our 'How Harry Met Sally' video [only 49 seconds] on YouTube, so we can start to climb the YouTube rankings

4. Paste on your site one of the gorgeous images from our Press page and let people know where to find us

5. Join our generous affiliate program here (and yes, expat bloggers especially welcome!)

Thank you in advance for anything you can do.

Andrea Martins x


Ps.1. Want to be able to quickly copy and paste some text? 

Love this new idea to help frustrated job seekers get noticed! (Started by #Expat Women co-founder @andreaexpat) http://www.storyresumes.com #resume

You know 'when' Harry met Sally, but do you know 'how' Harry met Sally? [Video] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04k_wdZTJaA #resume #expat


Ps.2. All feedback is of course very welcome in the comments.

We're learning as we go with this new venture and all ideas are appreciated. Thanks so much again!

Excellent Expat Books Worth A Shout Out

Hi Everyone! I can't believe it's been six months since my last update. Whilst Expat Women is still 'on a break' (I'll tell you about my new venture very soon), there are a few fantastic books that have crossed my desk in that time that really deserve a shout out.

Small Biz Abroad: 
Finding a Small Business That Fits You and Works Well Overseas
by William Beaver

William Beaver is the epitome of a lifelong expat entrepreneur. He has had the openness and courage to pursue lots of business ideas, he has willingly mentored others, he has never given up, and he constantly sees opportunities instead of obstacles. 

The great news is that rather than keep all of his learnings to himself, William has put together the most impressive free expat e-book I have ever read. He shares links to 385 expat businesses, he reveals his Top 20 Mistakes with this overseas small businesses, and much, much more. 

If you're an expat (or soon-to-be expat) contemplating starting a business abroad, William's free e-book (available for download from his home page) is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. 

The Suitcase Entrepreneur:
Create Freedom in Business and Adventure in Life
by Natalie Sisson

If you remember our Expat Women interview with Natalie last year, you'll recall that this former body sculpting champion is an absolute dynamo. Originally from New Zealand, Natalie has citizenship in the United Kingdom, permanent residence in Canada, has travelled to 63 countries, lived on 5 continents, broken a world record, won a gold medal in Ultimate Frisbee and has now grown her laptop business to six figures annually. Amazing.

Having written multiple e-books for her website, Natalie has now stepped it up a level and released her very first book on Amazon. And it's brilliant. Why? Because not only does it share motivational messages, anecdotes, lessons and stories, but it gives the best list I've ever seen of products and resources that you can use to build your business, each with Natalie's explanation of what the product does and how it worked for her. 

In my humble opinion, that list alone is worth the price of her book. I wish I'd had this list when we set up Expat Women. I'm so glad I had this list when I just set up my new venture (details soon). 

Harvesting Stones:
An American Woman's International Journey of Survival
by Paula Lucas

This book I have not read yet, but we interviewed Paula Lucas on Expat Women some years ago, I've met Paula in person a few times, and I'm totally in awe of everything she does, so I have a feeling her book will impress also. 

In short, this book shares the story of how for 14 years, Paula lived what looked like an ideal life overseas in the UAE: A Newsweek photojournalist husband, worldwide travel, a successful advertising, marketing and PR business, and three beautiful sons.

But she also hid a terrible secret: the children suffered severe child abuse and Paula, horrific domestic violence, at the hands of her husband. Her husband threatened to kill her and the children during increasingly violent rages. Her pleas to the American Embassy and the State Department were futile. Finally her chance to escape materialized, thanks to a thief. 

Paula went on to set up the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line in 1999 and has been proactively helping American expats suffering domestic violence ever since. Paula's dedication is phenomenal.

Want More?

Unfortunately I don't have the capacity to let you know about every great new expat book released anymore. (Huge apologies to everyone who's emailed me information about their new book this year).

But if you do want more, I invite you to head over to my friend Jo Parfitt's Expat Bookshop. Lots of great resources there (including Expat Women: Confessions).

Thanks Everyone and I wish you a sensational week!

Andrea

2 Awesome New Books for Expat Women Interested in a Career and/or Business Abroad

Hi Everyone, I'm so excited to share two newly-released books from my good friends Jo and Melody, that are must-have books for any expat woman interested in a portable career/business abroad and/or just being inspired by women who have set up their own business, almost failed, then successfully turned their business around.

The first book, A Career in Your Suitcase by Jo Parfitt and Colleen Reichrath-Smith, is in its fourth edition and is literally THE handbook for any expatriate woman wanting a portable career that she can take with her from country to country. It's the kind of book that you can read before you venture abroad, and every year thereafter on your expat journey - to help you continually clarify what it is that you want abroad, and then turn those ideas into actionable steps.

Bonus - If you're super quick (you only have about 24 hours), you can score a free Kindle copy of A Career in Your Suitcase before the price changes. (If you do grab one, and you like the book, please kindly leave a review on Amazon or GoodReads, to reciprocate Jo and Colleen's nice gesture. Thanks!)

The second book, Flipped It! by Melody Biringer, is a gorgeous colour e-book that profiles 40 women entrepreneurs who decided to flip their business models/concepts when times got tough, instead of ditching them. (Jo Parfitt is featured. As is another inspiring expat friend of ours, Natalie Sisson, aka The Suitcase Entrepreneur - who also has some great e-books available on her site - eg. BYOB Build Your Online Business Guide and The Ultimate Toolkit for Entrepreneurs.) What an inspiration these women are - and a reminder to us to never, never, never give up on our ideas/dreams!

By the way, if you missed Melody's first book, Craving Success, I also highly recommend that one (it's a very quick, easy and enjoyable read). Craving Success goes through the 20 businesses that Melody has had on her entrepreneurial journey, en route to her current passion, Crave. As even Melody says, most of her businesses were full of mistakes and failure - but she learnt something from every one of them. Sometimes I think we learn more from other people's mistakes, than from all the success stories out there that make it look like the journey was easy. What do you think?

Thanks for your potential support to these wonderful authors and I wish you a wonderful day/evening!

Andrea Martins x

ps. I am not currently giving many shout-outs on this blog for new books (unless I am super-passionate about them). But if have written a new book and want a shout-out on Twitter, feel free to tweet me the link and a personal message via @andreaexpat and I will try and help you there. Thanks!

Expat Women: Confessions - It's Our 2 Year Anniversary - Can You Help?

Hi Everyone, To celebrate the second anniversary today of our first Expat Women book, can you please help us 'share the love'? If yes, please send these links to anyone you think might enjoy/benefit from some real-life reassurance that "there are fun times and there are tough times, but at all times, believe in yourself and know that you are not alone". 

Somewhere, someone who's feeling overwhelmed or all alone, will someday, probably thank you for it!

Freebie: Download our free (48 page!) sample here

Buy Now (&/or Read Reviews): To buy for yourself, your expat club, or one or ten (Who's to blame a girl for trying?) of your friends, we invite you to click here: Amazon or to get it instantly, Amazon Kindle

What's in the Book?

"If you have ever wondered what it is like to live abroad, work abroad or accompany your working partner abroad, this book is for you. If you are already living the expat life but have mixed emotions about settling in, rebuilding your identity, relationship changes, successfully managing your money and career, raising children far from home or repatriating, this book is also for you.

In Expat Women: Confessions - 50 Answers to Your Real-Life Questions about Living Abroad, experienced expats Andrea Martins and Victoria Hepworth share a wealth of wisdom and positive tips to motivate you at every stage of your expat journey. They cover popular topics like leaving family back home, transitioning quickly, intercultural relationships, parenting bilingual children and work-life balance. They also address more difficult issues such as expat infidelity, divorce, alcoholism and reverse culture shock. This unique book is the perfect addition to every expat bookshelf."

Who Likes the Book?

"What a great book! For the first time, a real-life manual that will reassure every expat woman that she is not alone in her unspoken feelings and questions. I loved it!" Ruth E. Van Reken, Co-author of Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds

"A must for anyone who is, has been or will be an expat!" Peggy Love, GMS, CERP, President, FIGT (Families in Global Transition)
"This book is a great resource for all expat women." Leslie Brant Teixeira, Director, U.S. Department of State Family Liaison Office

"A terrific book! Real-life examples of the challenges expat women face, with insightful and practical advice, this should be on the must-read list for anyone involved with expatriate administration."Andrea David, Head of Global Mobility, Bloomberg

"Expat Women: Confessions is a wonderful addition to the literature on the experiences of women during their lives abroad. Andrea and Victoria answer difficult questions with empathy, an upbeat attitude, and wisdom. This is a book that every expat woman should keep at her bedside for the moments that inevitably surface when abroad - and even after repatriation." Elizabeth Perelstein, President, School Choice International and named one of Fortune Magazine's 10 Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs (2010)

Freebie: Download our free (48 page!) sample here

Buy Now (&/or Read Reviews): To buy for yourself, your expat club, or one or ten (Who's to blame a girl for trying?) of your friends, we invite you to click here: Amazon or to get it instantly, Amazon Kindle

Thank you so much for your valued support - and I wish you a fantastic week!

Andrea Martins

Expat Women: You Are More Beautiful Than You Think

Hi Everyone, Even though we are still 'on a break'... as soon as I saw Dove's Real Beauty Sketches video tonight, I just had to share it with you because it sends such a powerful message that I thought it a good wake-up call for all of us women across the globe, expat or not (and irrespective of the video's commercial intent). I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Best wishes, Andrea Martins. x

Online Summit for Expats, International Entrepreneurs & Global Citizens

Hi Everyone, The Foreignator Summit starts today! The brainchild of Katya Barry, this is a free, online event that brings together inspiring expat/international entrepreneurs who share how to make the most of the international experience, build a fulfilling life, and gain independence and flexibility through building a soul-full business that operates on a global scale.

The biographies of Katya's interviewees are on her official website, but here is a quick overview of the interview release schedule:
Monday March 4th: Natalie Sisson, Alicia Cowen
Tuesday March 5th: Kickstart Kitchen, Catherine Just
Wednesday March 6th: Ameena Falchetto, Natasha Vorompiova
Thursday March 7th: Farnoosh Brock, Alexa Hart, Marie Teather
Friday March 8th: Anne Samoilov, Mayi Carles and Katya Barry 

If you are interested, be quick to click here for more details about this week's events. And congrats to Katya for this great initiative. Andrea

"Biggest Baddest Bucket List" Travel Competition

Hi Everyone! It has been three months since we last blogged, but that is because we only just found something fabulous to tell you...

MyDestination.com, in partnership with Hotels.com, Travelex and Viator, have just launched an awesome competition that should excite both expats and short-term travelers alike. It is called the "Biggest, Baddest, Bucket List" competition and here is the prize:

SIX MONTHS. SIX CONTINENTS. ALL EXPENSES PAID.
PLUS $50K IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT WHEN YOU RETURN HOME.

For more details, please click here, enter, give it a shout out on your social networks, tell your friends, go for it and good luck!

Warmest wishes, Andrea

Disclaimer: We have not received any compensation for this shout-out. We just wanted to help our friends at MyDestination, who sponsored ExpatWomen.com before we 'took a break'.