Mathilde Andersen: The Virtual HR Consultant

Guest: Mathilde Andersen Virtual HR Consultant | Freelance Human Resources Expert Based: Worldwide (Currently Paraguay)
Website: mathildeandersen.com
Services: Virtual HR consulting for Swiss companies

Episode Description

Mathilde Andersen left Switzerland with no clients, no business plan, and zero freelancing experience. Today, she runs a thriving virtual HR consultancy serving Swiss companies from anywhere in the world.

In this conversation, Mathilde shares how she transitioned from three years of backpacking to building a location-independent HR business without any remote work experience. We explore the practical realities of making HR work remotely, the financial requirements of nomadic life, the emotional challenges of constant travel, why she chose Paraguay for residency, and the importance of connecting with local communities wherever she goes.

This is a story about taking the leap before you're ready, figuring it out as you go, and building exactly the freedom you envisioned.

Key Topics
The Backstory (00:00 - 01:55) Growing up in a travelling family Three years of backpacking before starting the business Returning to Switzerland post-Covid with a job she hated Zero remote work experience or freelancing knowledge "I didn't have any idea about being self-employed, about freelancing, about marketing, about anything" The decision to go all-in anyway

Opening Pandora's Box (01:55 - 04:14) All the questions that hit when you start: how to find clients, how to price, what to offer Left Switzerland before securing any clients "If I really want to get into the digital nomad life, I have to get there where the people are" Understanding that nomads gather in specific hubs The importance of being physically present in those communities

Following the Hubs (04:14 - 06:36) First stop: Spain (where many nomads congregate) Then Brazil: following the community Language skills: Spanish and Portuguese for connecting with locals Not wanting to stay only in the digital nomad bubble The value of building local friendships beyond expat circles

The First Client Moment (06:36 - 08:38) Found first client through LinkedIn without any existing network Searching for remote job postings and reaching out The transformative first invoice: "This is actually working" That moment when you realize you're getting paid Proof of concept: someone values what you're offering

Making HR Work Remotely (08:38 - 10:22) Following market shifts post-Covid Small companies preferring freelance HR over full-time employees The pitch: emphasizing cost savings and flexibility What "virtual HR consultant" actually means Contracts, recruitment, talent development, team events All done remotely from anywhere in the world

Financial Reality Check (10:22 - 12:22) Minimum estimate: €2,000/month for digital nomad life Location dramatically changes the cost equation Southeast Asia vs. Europe: vastly different requirements Strategies for reducing expenses: house-sitting, volunteering, cooking Trading services and working for accommodation Making it work on less by being creative

The Emotional Landscape (12:22 - 14:48) The honest truth: loneliness vs. choosing to be alone "If I would tell you I never felt lonely, it would be a lie" What freedom actually looks like day-to-day "I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want" The "one suitcase and my backpack" philosophy Less attachment to places means more freedom Spontaneous meetups and location independence

Instagram Friendships (14:48 - 17:41) Meeting people on Instagram: "Let's just go" The ease of connecting with other nomads Jumping on flights to meet people you've never met in person The trust and openness within the community Why these connections feel natural and immediate

Co-Living Culture (17:41 - 18:22) Living with like-minded people from different places Shared spaces creating instant community The default depth of conversations Not just surface-level tourist interactions

Deep Conversations (18:22 - 20:51) Why connections feel deeper with other travellers Common topics: finding partners, settle vs. travel tension The paradox of too many options Getting lost in possibilities "You have so many options that you get lost" Extending stays when you don't know where to go next Freedom creating its own kind of paralysis

Dating as a Nomad (20:51 - 24:37) The challenges of finding partnership whilst constantly travelling Not willing to give up life for someone Not expecting others to give up theirs either "I would be happy to meet someone but I'm also very happy alone" Some people are here for a reason: short-term or long-term Being grateful for each moment without forcing outcomes Evolution from emotional walls to openness Cousin's success story: Thailand meeting, Argentina/New Zealand long-distance, Covid lockdown together, marriage, Germany

The Nomad Mindset (24:37 - 25:10) What makes the community different The open-mindedness of people who choose this lifestyle "Whatever it takes" mentality Seeing change as opportunity, not loss Growth-oriented rather than stability-focused

Paraguay: Residency and Community (25:10 - 28:37) Why she chose Paraguay for residency Straightforward process: less than three months What's required: paperwork, can be done alone or with help "People outsource HR to me, I outsource this to someone else" Beyond logistics: feeling welcomed by Paraguayan locals Building local friendships outside the nomad bubble The importance of cultural connection Feeling at home in the country, not just legally resident there

Timestamps 
00:00-00:20 Introduction
00:20-01:01 Background: travelling family, three years backpacking
01:01-01:55 Zero remote work experience before starting
01:55-02:35 "Opening a Pandora's box": all the questions
02:35-04:14 Left Switzerland before getting clients
04:14-05:05 Where nomads actually are: the hubs
05:05-06:10 Spain then Brazil
06:10-06:36 Language barriers and connecting with locals
06:36-07:32 First invoice moment: "This is actually working"
07:32-08:38 How she found her first client on LinkedIn
08:38-10:22 Making HR work remotely and what virtual HR means
10:22-12:22 Financial requirements: €2,000/month minimum
12:22-13:33 The emotional side: loneliness vs. alone
13:33-13:55 What freedom looks like
13:55-14:48 Spontaneous meetups and flexibility
14:48-17:41 Meeting people on Instagram: "Let's just go"
17:41-18:22 Co-living culture and community
18:22-19:44 Deep conversations and common struggles
19:44-20:51 Too many options: getting lost
20:51-22:56 Dating as a nomad and managing emotions
22:56-24:37 Evolution and cousin's romantic success story
24:37-25:10 The nomad community mindset
25:10-28:37 Paraguay residency: process, costs, and connecting with locals
28:37-29:07 Closing

Connect with Mathilde Andersen
Website: mathildeandersen.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mathilde-andersen-virtualhr
Services: Virtual HR consulting

About This Podcast
Real conversations with successful digital nomads who've built sustainable location-independent income. Strategic insights on how they transitioned, what income streams they built, and what they wish they'd known earlier. No travel tips or lifestyle fluff.

Host
Ibi Malik helps ambitious professionals transition to nomadic careers without income sacrifice.

Ready to Build Your Nomadic Career? If you're earning £60,000+ annually and seriously considering the transition to location-independent work, book a discovery consultation to explore your strategic pathway.

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Episode length: ~30 minutes
Published: 30th January, 2026
Episode #004