Business Sparks with Val

This episode explores Niels' journey, who joined the Spark Your Expat Business group programme earlier this year, from recognizing the need for change, to building and testing his very own business idea. Niels had been sitting on his idea for two years before making it real. His example highlights how taking the first step instead of waiting to feel ready can make a huge difference in what's possible.

Key takeaways:

• Niels introduces himself as someone with many interests who often starts things but struggles to finish them.
• He explains that his day job left him wanting to build something of his own, rather than only working on other people’s ideas.
• A major reason he joined the program was accountability, especially the chance to work in a group with other people who were also starting something.
• He says the 12-week structure helped him steadily build momentum instead of bouncing around between ideas.
• The process started with purpose: why he wanted to build the app, who it was for, and where he wanted it to be in a year.
• He found that talking through his idea helped him put his own assumptions into words and discard weaker ones.
• One major breakthrough was realizing his app is not really a productivity app, but something meant to help people realign with who they want to be.
• He shares that his original assumption about pricing was to copy subscription-based competitors, but reflection led him to choose a pay-as-you-want model instead.
• He describes the project as something he is building with his own hands, and says the coaching helped him move it beyond “ideas on a paper.”
• By the end of the program, he had a basic MVP, initial screens, first testers, and more confidence that the idea could help other people.
• He says the program gave him a “menu of things” he can return to later for website, positioning, and product decisions.
• He is now looking for more testers, especially people who feel stuck, demotivated, or want to recenter around what makes sense to them.

Resources & links:

• September cohort - Spark Your Expat Business

• Connect with Niels
• Join the waitlist for his app Aspirational

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

In this episode, Valshares her personal journey with loneliness as an entrepreneur building her coaching business abroad. She explores the emotional challenges of going solo, especially as an expat, and offers practical advice on creating supportive environments and trusting your decision-making process.

Key topics:

• Recognizing the first signs of loneliness when starting out
• How external opinions can amplify feelings of isolation
• The importance of reframing skepticism from friends and family
• Embracing the uniqueness of entrepreneurial journeys and shared uncertainties
• Strategies for building a supportive community as an expat and solo founder
• The significance of surrounding yourself with experienced mentors
• Creating intentional environments to foster growth and reduce loneliness
• Encouragement to seek out like-minded peers through networking and community groups
• New group coaching programme starting in September, designed for ambitious expats building their own businesses

Resources & links:

• Join tomorrow's Launch Circles community breakfast in Copenhagen
• Apply to the early bird price for September cohort - deadline August 15 th

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

In this episode, Val explores one of the biggest mindset and business shifts for entrepreneurs: how to price your services with confidence. Drawing from her own experience of undercharging when she started her business, she explains why pricing is not just about numbers — it’s about psychology, self-worth, market context, and the kind of business you want to build. Val reflects on how money stories, cultural background, and moving between countries can shape what feels “normal” to charge. She also shares simple, practical advice for anyone figuring out their rates.

Key takeaways:

• Pricing is a psychological exercise, not just a math exercise
• Hourly pricing often ignores the true value you deliver
• Undercharging can lead to lower commitment from clients and from yourself
• Your pricing should support the life and business you want to build
• You can always adjust your prices as you grow, you're not locking in forever

Resources & links:

• Spark Pricing Calculator
• NEW! Upcoming group coaching program. Early sign-up discount until August 15th, SIGN UP HERE.

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

If you’re struggling with pricing, revisit your money mindset, research your market, and choose a price that supports both your value and your business sustainability.

Are sales in your mind associated with pushy, aggressive behaviors that make you cringe? In this episode, Val shares her journey of transforming her sales approach into a caring, curiosity-driven conversation that feels genuine and aligned with your values. Discover how shifting your mindset can make selling a natural, service-oriented experience.

Key topics:

• The common misconceptions about sales and the typical tough image portrayed in media
• How to redefine what a salesperson is and eliminate stereotypes
• The importance of curiosity over convincing in sales conversations
• How to listen actively and ask open-ended questions to understand client needs
• Strategies to create conversations that are natural, pressure-free, and client-focused
• The significance of making space for the prospect’s needs and respecting their decision
• Moving away from performance to genuine service in sales
• Practical tips for handling sales calls with clarity and confidence
• How mindset shifts can improve your sales results and reduce discomfort
• Personal stories of learning from mistakes and improving sales techniques over time

Resources & links:

• Join the 1:1 coaching program Spark Your Expat Business
• FREE SPARK Business Growth Tracker: a simple business growth tracker that helps you organize your leads, follow-ups, and sales activity so you can consistently move toward paying clients.

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

Feel free to reach out and start redefining your approach to sales: it's about helping others, not pushing products.

In this episode, Val shares how she built a personal brand from scratch after leaving her corporate career, and why personal branding is much more than a logo or color palette. She explains how consistency, clarity, and authenticity helped her create a brand that feels aligned both online and offline.

Key topics:

• Why personal branding is not the same as visual identity
• How to define your brand without overthinking your logo or colors
• The role of consistency in making people remember you
• How to build a brand that reflects both who you are and who you’re for
• Why your brand should evolve as you do

Val opens up about the uncertainty she felt after leaving her corporate job and starting a business with a very different identity than before. She shares how she experimented with content, leaned into authenticity, and slowly discovered the themes, values, and visual identity that fit her best. She also explains how she chose her brand colors — blue and yellow — based on the feelings she wanted to communicate: calm, optimism, energy, and directness. Most importantly, she emphasizes that a strong brand is not static; it grows with your experience, your audience, and your values.

Resources & links:

• Get your ChatGPT SPARK Business Architect and let it help you define your business and brand
• Join the 1:1 coaching program Spark Your Expat Business

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

In this inspiring episode, Naville shares her transformative journey through Val's program, going from feeling uncertain about her future to confidently launching her own business. She discusses the importance of clarity, taking bold steps, and building a life aligned with personal values and passions.

Key topics:

• Naville's background in software engineering and the contact center industry
• The turning point: realizing the desire to create a flexible, autonomous career
• How mentorship and structured programs provide clarity and confidence
• The pivotal role of LinkedIn in expanding her network and client base
• Building a structured, client-focused business that aligns with her lifestyle
• Overcoming fears and external doubts about leaving the corporate world
• Practical advice for those contemplating a similar career transition
• The importance of investing in yourself and trusting the process

Resources & links:

• Connect with Naville on Linkedin
• Join Spark Your Expat Business program here

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

In this episode, Val shares her honest journey through financial uncertainty when building her business, emphasizing the importance of mindset, practical questions, and accepting support. Whether you're contemplating quitting your job or already on your entrepreneurial path, her insights will help you approach financial fears with clarity and resilience.

Topics:

• The privilege and honesty around financial starting points
• Key questions to assess your real financial situation
• How to manage emotional and psychological impacts during lows
• Practical steps: saving, accepting help, and strategic investments
• Building external and internal structures to handle uncertainty
• How hiring a business coach can help with the process

Resources & links:

• Apply to the Spark Your Expat Business program
• Free Pricing Calculator - it helps you understand how much you need to earn and what to ask

Connect with Val:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram

This episode tackles a common challenge many entrepreneurs face: having too many ideas and struggling to pick one to pursue. Val shares her personal experience, a five-step framework, and practical tips to help you filter your ideas and move forward confidently.

Topics:

• The emotional and psychological impact of having multiple ideas and how to overcome the fear of missing out
• Why having many experiences and cultural insights can make decision-making more complex for expats and internationals
• The importance of testing ideas versus overthinking, with real-life examples from Valeria’s own entrepreneurial journey
• A comprehensive five-step framework to evaluate ideas based on values, lifestyle, energy, strengths, and reality
• Practical exercises to score and prioritize ideas, helping to eliminate those that are less feasible or aligned
• Common misconceptions about passions turning into business ventures and the importance of alignment
• How to recognize when the timing and context are right for a business idea
• The role of not choosing — and that indecision — as a valid and sometimes necessary step
• How to develop a flexible mindset, understanding that business ideas can evolve and change over time
• An invitation to join Valeria’s coaching program for personalized support in breaking down ideas and taking action

Resources & links:

• Apply to the Spark Your Expat Business program
• Book a free clarity call
• Free resources on website

Connect with Val:

• Linkedin
• Instagram

Tune in to hear Val's client, Line Aasen, a seasoned expat and marketing professional, share how coaching and intentional strategies helped her transition from corporate roles to building her own thriving consultancy business while moving to Spain.

Line Aasen, founder of LA Consulting, is a brand strategist and communications specialist working with startup founders and investors. She has 7+ years of experience across the startup ecosystem from startups, agencies, incubators, startup competitions and VC funds. With LA Consulting, Line helps companies establish their minimum viable brand and refine their positioning, as well as building personal brand foundations, and supporting founders to create successful funding and product launches.

Connect with Line:

• Line - LinkedIn
• LA Consulting - Linkedin
• LA Consulting - Website

Topics:

• Line's background in tennis, international living, and startup ecosystem involvement
• The influence of mentorship and coaching in career development
• Breaking down big ideas into actionable goals with coaching tools
• The role of self-reflection: uncovering true passions
• Building confidence to transition into freelance entrepreneurship
• The importance of community, collaboration, and cultural diversity in global work
• Practical steps for aspiring entrepreneurs: networking, planning, and mindset shifts
• How coaching enhances clarity, focus, and alignment with personal values
• Line's current daily routine and lifestyle changes after her career shift
• Tips for overcoming decision paralysis and embracing bold dreams

Resources & links:

• LinkedIn

• Spark Coaching with Val

Notes:

This episode emphasizes actionable insights on career transitions, the value of coaching, and building a fulfilling entrepreneurial life. Lina’s story exemplifies transformation through purpose-driven planning and community support.

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