In this episode, Val shares her personal journey from corporate roles to becoming a coach and entrepreneur. She discusses the challenges, lessons learned, and practical advice for anyone considering starting their own business, especially in the coaching space.

Topics:

• Val's career evolution from tech sales to coaching
• Common pitfalls when starting a business
• Priorities in the first 90 days of entrepreneurship
• The importance of support and mentorship
• Misconceptions about branding and marketing efforts
• How to effectively find and serve your ideal clients
• Pricing strategies and overcoming self-doubt
• The significance of focusing on conversations over visual identity
• Key steps for a successful startup phase

Resources & link:

• Book a coaching call
• Free business coaching resources

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Explore essential strategies and insights to determine if your business idea is worth pursuing. In this episode, Val offers practical advice on identifying market opportunities, crafting a unique value proposition, and making informed decisions to set your entrepreneurial journey on the right path.

Topics:

• Why certainty in business success is impossible before starting
• How market signals can reduce uncertainty
• The importance of researching existing competition and industry growth
• Why solving a "must-have" problem is more effective than a "nice-to-have"
• The significance of your unique angle and personal story in positioning
• Different business models and their impact on risk
• How to ground your decision-making in real market data
• Free resources to evaluate your readiness and next steps

Resources & links:

• Business Readiness Check — Link to a quick assessment to clarify your next move
• Spark Coaching with Val

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

In this episode, Val discusses the common mistake of entrepreneurs designing businesses that don't align with their personal lives, and how to intentionally build a business that supports your lifestyle rather than confines it. She shares practical exercises, real-life examples, and mindset shifts to help you craft a sustainable and fulfilling business.

Topics:

• The importance of aligning your business with your existing life constraints and vision
• Why choosing a business model just because of safety or familiarity (like consultancy) might not serve your long-term happiness
• How to assess your life vision and design a business that complements it
• The significance of understanding your energy patterns and daily routines for business success
• Practical tools like the R.E.A.D.Y. assessment to evaluate your readiness and clarify your goals
• Real-world stories demonstrating the importance of lifestyle alignment in entrepreneurship

Resources & links:

• R.E.A.D.Y. Assessment
• Spark Coaching with Val

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Email: [email protected]

Remember:

Build your business to support your life, not the other way around.

In this first episode of Business Sparks with Val, Val shares her personal journey from overthinking to taking decisive action in starting her own business.

She offers practical advice for expats and internationals navigating the unique challenges of building a business abroad.

Whether you're hesitant or overwhelmed, learn how to simplify your process and move forward with confidence.

Topics:

• Val’s personal story of transitioning from a corporate job to entrepreneurship
• Common barriers: overthinking, fear of leaving a stable income, and needing to feel 'ready'
• How to break down the big goal of starting a business into small, actionable steps
• The importance of testing and experimenting rather than waiting for perfect certainty
• Unique challenges faced by expats and international professionals in building a business
• The role of external support and community in overcoming loneliness and uncertainty
• Emphasizing action over passive consumption of information
• Mindset shifts: from overcomplicating to simplifying your business approach
• Emotional and practical readiness: why waiting for the perfect moment isn’t necessary
• Val’s commitment to transparency, sharing her mistakes, and inviting listeners on this journey

Resources & links:

• Spark Coaching with Val website
• The SPARK Business Architect ChatGPT
• Launch Circles Business Community

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Notes:

This episode emphasizes the power of taking small, intentional actions and embracing the journey with honesty and community.

Don’t wait until you're completely ready—start now, learn along the way, and adapt.

Your business is waiting. Go make it real.

In this first episode of Business Sparks with Val, Val shares her personal journey from overthinking to taking decisive action in starting her own business.

She offers practical advice for expats and internationals navigating the unique challenges of building a business abroad.

Whether you're hesitant or overwhelmed, learn how to simplify your process and move forward with confidence.

Topics:

• Val’s personal story of transitioning from a corporate job to entrepreneurship
• Common barriers: overthinking, fear of leaving a stable income, and needing to feel 'ready'
• How to break down the big goal of starting a business into small, actionable steps
• The importance of testing and experimenting rather than waiting for perfect certainty
• Unique challenges faced by expats and international professionals in building a business
• The role of external support and community in overcoming loneliness and uncertainty
• Emphasizing action over passive consumption of information
• Mindset shifts: from overcomplicating to simplifying your business approach
• Emotional and practical readiness: why waiting for the perfect moment isn’t necessary
• Val’s commitment to transparency, sharing her mistakes, and inviting listeners on this journey

Resources & links:

• Spark Coaching with Val website
• The SPARK Business Architect ChatGPT
• Launch Circles Business Community

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Notes:

This episode emphasizes the power of taking small, intentional actions and embracing the journey with honesty and community.

Don’t wait until you're completely ready—start now, learn along the way, and adapt.

Your business is waiting. Go make it real.

In this episode of Career Sparks with Val, host Val is joined by her former colleague and friend Fabian Schreibert, Client Relations Executive at Deloitte.

They talk about what it takes to move from sales in a startup to consulting in a large firm, how to pitch yourself when changing careers, and how to balance personal and professional goals as an expat and parent.

Fabian brings thoughtful insights, practical tools, and a grounded approach to building a fulfilling career abroad.

Key takeaways:

• Own your transferable skills: when switching industries, focus on how your existing skills solve the problems of the new environment.

• Create a personal business case: whether in an interview or a pitch, clearly show how your experience adds value to the company’s goals.

• Know what energizes you: don’t confuse what you’re good at with what gives you energy. Sustainable careers are built on both.

• Balance evolves with life: career ambition and family life can co-exist. It’s about clear priorities and shared ownership at home.

• Visibility matters: doing good work isn’t enough—make sure the right people see it and understand your impact.

• Find a sponsor: a manager or leader who champions your growth can open doors you can’t access alone.

• • Track your wins: keep a running list of accomplishments to boost confidence, prepare for reviews, and guide your next steps.

  
  

  Fabian’s journey is a powerful example of how you can pivot industries, grow your career with intention, and still prioritize what matters most in life.

  🎧 Tune in now

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  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Val on Linkedin!⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤝

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Spark Coaching with Val on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠visit the website⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Here you can book a free 15 minutes clarity call with Val.⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✨

  
  

  Original music by Renato Šoša

  Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski

In this episode of Career Sparks with Val, host Val talks to Monica Matei, Experience Designer and Founder of Ceremonica, whose powerful events invite people—especially expats—to explore identity, belonging, and transformation through intentional connection.

Monica shares how creating The Foreigner’s Journey helped her reclaim her own story as an expat—and why experiences have the power to change how we relate, not only to others but also to ourselves.

Key takeaways:

• Experience design is emotional architecture: it’s about intentionally shaping how people feel, not just what they do.

• The expat experience creates a "third culture": living between identities can feel disorienting but is also full of creative possibility.

• Holding space requires strength: facilitators must do their own emotional work to guide others without centering themselves.

• The “in-between” is a powerful space: being a foreigner isn't a limitation, it’s a vantage point rich in perspective and innovation.
• Find your people: when considering a career path, finding other people who share the same passions can build the support you need.

• Experiment first, integrate later: try small creative steps, reflect, and build from what you learn.

• You can create your own path: Monica didn’t find her role; she created it by combining passions, people, and purpose.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about building community, designing meaningful events, or simply navigating life between cultures.

🎧 Tune in now

Ceremonica's website is here.

Follow them on Instagram, here.

_____________________________________

⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Val on Linkedin!⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🤝

⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Spark Coaching with Val on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠visit the website⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

⁠⁠⁠⁠Here you can book a free 15 minutes clarity call with Val.⁠⁠⁠⁠ ✨

Original music by Renato Šoša

Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski

In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val reconnects with ⁠Luca Brogin, Learning and Development Lead Europe at Allianz Technology, to trace his remarkable career journey across industries, countries, and functions.

Starting from a background in finance, Luca has transitioned through media and now leadership development and upskilling in the fast-paced world of fintech.

Together, they explore how to thrive in times of change, especially as an expat navigating different cultures.

Key takeaways:

• Career pivots are more common and possible than ever: you don’t need to start over to start again. Look for overlap and use curiosity to explore new directions.

• Learning & development is a strategic force: once seen as a support function, L&D is now central to helping organizations and individuals stay future-ready.

• Hard skills meet human skills: in an AI-driven world, data literacy and digital fluency must go hand in hand with emotional intelligence, resilience, and collaboration.

• Mindset is everything: moving from a fixed to a growth mindset opens the door to career reinvention, better teamwork, and lifelong learning.

• Expat experiences build perspective: living and working across cultures helps dismantle assumptions, strengthen empathy, and spark innovation.

• Curiosity unlocks opportunity: networking, asking questions, and stepping out of your “team bubble” can open doors you never knew existed.

• Don’t settle for stuck: if you can’t find meaning or motivation in your role anymore, it’s okay to leave. Change may be the beginning of your best chapter yet.

Whether you're interested in pivoting careers, or looking to find inspiration for which skills to double down on, this episode is for you!

🎧 Tune in now

_____________________________________

⁠⁠⁠Connect with Val on Linkedin!⁠⁠⁠ 🤝

⁠⁠⁠Follow Spark Coaching with Val on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠visit the website⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

⁠⁠⁠Here you can book a free 15 minutes clarity call with Val.⁠⁠⁠ ✨

Original music by Renato Šoša

Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski

In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val sits down with ⁠Maria Askew⁠, Head of the MA in Theatre for Community and Education at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Maria is a multi-hyphenate creative: director, facilitator, performer, writer, and educator.

They explore Maria’s journey from performer to purpose-driven educator, how she integrates her skills across disciplines, and what it means to lead with creativity in a diverse community.

Key takeaways:

• Theatre as a tool for change: when used in facilitation and education, theatre becomes a powerful method for communication, empathy-building, and problem solving.

• Creative skills are transferable: skills from the arts—like storytelling, collaboration, and embodiment—are valuable across fields like healthcare, education, and corporate training.

• Portfolio careers with purpose: you don’t have to choose one path. A career built across disciplines can be both intentional and deeply fulfilling.

• Facilitation over instruction: learning environments thrive when knowledge is co-created. Facilitators can inspire reflection, vulnerability, and shared growth.

• Embrace cross-pollination: blurring boundaries between disciplines can lead to innovation and deeper understanding.

• Celebrate diversity and plurality: working across cultures, ages, and backgrounds brings richer outcomes. True collaboration depends on difference, not uniformity.
• Sustainable careers in the arts: community, collaboration, and advocacy are vital for creating long-term, meaningful opportunities for artists and creatives.

_____________________________________

⁠⁠Connect with Val on Linkedin!⁠⁠ 🤝

⁠⁠Follow Spark Coaching with Val on Instagram⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠visit the website⁠⁠ to learn more.

⁠⁠Here you can book a free 15 minutes clarity call with Val.⁠⁠ ✨

Original music by Renato Šoša

Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski

In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val sits down with ⁠Jesse Edge⁠, Sales Engineer at Tattile and Co-Founder & Co-Owner of DJM Sports Management.

Former professional footballer turned sales professional, he talks about his transition out of sport, adapting to new cultures, and how mindset and curiosity have fueled his second career.

Key takeaways:

• Transferable skills are real: how you can still transfer your existing skills from fields that may appear very different, such as sports and office work.

• Adapting to new cultures: what to keep in mind when facing big changes such as moving to a different country and confronting yourself with a new culture.

• From planning to doing: how to turn your plans and "good intentions" into actions and become the protagonist of your own story.

• Learning to learn again: the importance of blending real life experience with formal education, and how it's ok to retrain to pivot careers.

• Mindset over mastery: a curious, open mindset can be your biggest asset in learning, connecting, and growing in a new career or field.

• The value of starting over: your next chapter might be even more fulfilling than the first, and how you can still allign your passions with work in a different way.
• The importance of relationships: people around you can help you go through big changes, support you and even open new opportunities for you.

If you're navigating a big career change, or looking to adopting a more positive, action-driven mindset—this episode is for you.

Tune in now!🎧

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⁠Connect with Val on Linkedin!⁠ 🤝

⁠Follow Spark Coaching with Val on Instagram⁠ or ⁠visit the website⁠ to learn more.

⁠Here you can book a free 30 minutes clarity call with Val.⁠ ✨

Original music by Renato Šoša

Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski