The Time Is Now

The Time Is Now

By Amel DerraguiBusinessEntrepreneurshipEducationSelf-ImprovementMarketing
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The Time Is Now episodes

  • TN78: How to build a powerful community and lead it to the next level – Naomi Hattaway
    Building a powerful community and tribe around your cause or business can be a great way to grow rapidly, find people to support you, generate revenue while serving the needs of the community.
    This episode will be a true inspiration if you are looking to build or grow your own community! Naomi Hattaway, a great tribe leader who shares with us all her secrets.
    Naomi Hattaway is the founder of the I Am A Triangle (IAAT) community that counts over 15,000 members (at the time we publish this episode) and a high engagement level of over 60%.  She shares with us her journey and tips to build a community.  Listen to her advice on how to be a tribe leader that serves the community and how to take it to the next level.
    Come and join us!
    Get a private invitation and access to the IAAT community before the official launch:
    Click here to join the IAAT community!
    Naomi Hattaway was one of the first guests on the Tandem Nomads podcast show.  Back then, I Am A Triangle was about 3000 members! In episode 8, Naomi shared her personal experience as an expat spouse and her search for the "meaning of home."  That search led her to write the infamous blog post and kick-started the creation of the group.
    After living in several locations in the United States, she and her family were sent to Delhi, India for her husband’s job. There, she started blogging and providing support to those moving to India. Naomi and her family then moved to Singapore and left after a year back to the United States. She lives there now where she continues to grow a successful real estate business.
    The movement I am A Triangle started when one of her blog posts went viral (click her to read this blog post).  It strongly resonated with people who travel the world and struggle to define their meaning of home. And with those who struggle feeling at home when they move back to their home countries.
    The article prompted the creation of the I Am A Triangle group, an incredible online group of people who support each other with this struggle.
    The community of triangles keeps growing every day with hundreds of new members. What was initially a simple Facebook group is now growing into its own amazing online platform providing a great range of resources for global nomads.
    Highlights from this episode
    • How Naomi started blogging, building an audience and created the community I am A Triangle
    • How her blog post went viral and what she did next
    • The motivations that led her to create the Facebook group
    • How she created engagement and encouraged members to exchange with each other
    • The challenges she needs to deal with as a community leader and how she overcomes them
    • How to moderate the group and adjust its rules over time
    • How to get people to volunteer to help with the community management
    • How to manage people who want to advertise and sell in a group
    • How to turn advertising into an innovative and really useful solution for the community
    • How and why she moved from Facebook group to an independent platform for the community
    • How to deal with resistance to change from the community
    • How to deal with those who want to copy what you do
    • What technology she used to create the new IAAT platform
    • How to monetize to cover costs and time
    • How to generate revenue while protecting the community from just becoming an overwhelming advertising space

      • Naomi's Book Recommendations
      • Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
      • Decisive by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
      • Made to stick by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
      • Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud
      • Tribe by Seth Godin

        • Naomi's Online Resources
        • Mighty Networks - App to create and host a community
        • Grytics - Manage Facebook group analytics and marketing

          • Find Naomi Hattaway and the I Am A Triangle community
          • Website: www.iamatriangle.com
          • Facebook page: Like and follow the page

            •  
            Click here to join the IAAT community!
            What did you think about this episode?  
            Share in the comments below and join our private Facebook group to connect with other expat spouses just like you and find inspirastion for your portable business. 
            52 min
          • (Replay) TN34: How to answer the question “What do you do?”- Stephanie Ward

            One of the toughest question for expat spouses to answer: "What do you do?"

            However, whether you have a job, a business or are still looking for your way, this is a crucial question to learn how to answer.

            In order to bring you some excellent advice, I brought you one of the best marketer and networker I know, Stephanie Ward!

            I recorded this interview with her when I had just started the podcast show. It is really fun and interesting to see how things evolved since for me and Tandem Nomads!

            However, Stephanie's advice and this topic are timeless! This is why I want to make sure to bring it to you again.

            Stephanie Ward, from Firefly Coaching is a Business and Marketing Mentor and passionate about igniting small businesses success.

            She shares with you some great applicable tips to answer the question "what do you do?" in a comprehensive and memorable way that fits to your personal or professional situation.

            Highlights from this episode
            • How to answer the question in an interesting and attractive way
            • How to answer the question “what brought you here?” when you don’t want to start a conversation mentioning the job assignment of your spouse
            • How to make sure that people reach out to you if they need you or your services
            • How to start a conversation when networking
            • How to be a good networker and connector

              • "Instead of trying to be interesting, be interested!"
              Stephanie's book recommendation:
              • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
              • Loving What Is by Byron Katie
              • The E-Myth by Michael Gerber

                • Stephanie's online resource:
                • Evernote - Get organized, Work Smarter, Remember everything

                  • Find Stephanie Ward:
                  • Web: www.fireflycoaching.com
                  • Facebook: Firefly Coaching 
                  • Twitter: Firefly Coaching 

                    • Additionally to this episode, you can find more insights from Stephanie on this topic via this great blog post: The right way to say what is it that you do.

                    36 min
                  • TN77: Turn your purpose into a portable non-profit & career – Claudia Landini
                    This episode will provide you inspiration on how to turn your purpose into a portable non-profit that serves your community.  And it can be done while moving from one country to another while growing your portable career.
                    “No matter what there must always be a meaning to your mobile life”
                    Claudia Landini comes from Italy where she was an interpreter and developed her career in humanitarian missions for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and for the Danish organization DanChurchAid. She then quit her career to move abroad with her husband and two sons and they have been traveling together since 1989. They lived in Sudan, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Honduras, Peru and Jerusalem. Today Claudia and her husband are empty nesters and live in Jakarta, Indonesia. While moving from one country to another, Claudia developed her career as a coach and intercultural trainer.
                    In 2004, she also founded an amazing platform for all expat women around the world called Expatclic. The purpose was to create a place where expat women could support each other through all the aspects of their moves and life abroad, providing each other resources, information, and inspiration. Today, Expatclic counts over 2000 members and has developed into various activities and specific platforms, such as Expat Books, Expat A Table, Expat Women at Work, and What Expats Can Do.
                    Highlights from this episode
                    • How to find your purpose and transform it into a meaningful project that you can develop from anywhere
                    • Why choose to build a portable non-profit rather than a business
                    • Leveraging your non-profit work to build your portable business and career
                    • Tactics on how to grow an audience and attract volunteers
                    • How to build a sustainable portable non-profit project and survive through the years while moving
                    • Ways to adapt to change while keeping the same strong mission and vision

                      • Claudia’s Book Recommendations
                      Lost in Translation by Eva Hoffman
                      Claudia’s Online Resources
                      • WordPress – to create a free website or blog
                      • Goto Meeting – to organize virtual meetings
                      • MailChimp – to send automated emails to your email list

                        • Find Claudia Online
                        • Website: Expatclic
                        • Join the private Expatclic Facebook  Group
                        • Twitter: @expatclic

                          • What did you think about this episode?  Do you have a lifelong mission that you can turn into a portable non-profit organization?  Kick off your portable plan with these four steps.
                          And then share in the comments below or join our private Facebook group to get inspiration from other expat spouses just like you.  
                          45 min
                        • TN76: Managing a business and maternity – Dana Bachar Grossman

                          A challenge that all women face whether they are expats or not and whether they have a business or work for a company, is balancing their career and motherhood.

                          Dana Bachar comes from Israel where she started her formal mediation career. She facilitated and resolved disputes across a wide range of corporate, civil and domestic court cases. When Dana needed to relocate to Singapore with her family for her husband’s job, she launched her own mediation company called MeD8 where she continues with her partners to cover a wide range of cases.  Dana also helps parents and teachers acquire mediation skills in international schools.
                          “I wanted to be a mom, I wanted to build a business, I am happy I could do both.”
                          Highlights from the episode
                          • Building your network and community while moving to a new country and having children
                          • How to start a business while pregnant
                          • Advice on how to prepare your clients before taking your maternity leave
                          • Building the right support system in your life and your business
                          • Ensuring that you partner is involved in your success and wellbeing
                          • Tips on how to build the balance between private life and your business
                          • How to use technology to plan and prepare your business during maternity leave

                            • “Focus on building true relationships and your clients will be there when you come back”
                            If you enjoyed this episode, hear more tips and advice on balancing career and family from Maryam Afnan Ahmad and hear from Olga Mecking about her journey abroad as an expat mom.
                            Dana’s Recommendations
                            • Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
                            • The variety of books by Deepak Chopra

                              • Other online resources
                              • For building websites quick and easily: WIX.com
                              • To schedule social media posts to promote your business:
                                • Facebook scheduler
                                • Linkedin Scheduler
                                • Buffer


                                  • Where to find Dana Bachar
                                  • Website: MeD8
                                  • MeD8 Facebook page

                                    • Did you enjoy the episode? Comment below and let us know what other tips and recommendations you have for women who want to balance a portable career and motherhood. 
                                    37 min
                                  • TN75: How to legally set up your portable business – Rosiane Houngbo-Monteverde
                                    Thinking of starting a portable business while living abroad and want to know more about the legal implications?  Don’t even know what kind of questions to ask?  Listen now to understand what you need to consider and research when launching your portable career as an expat spouse.
                                    Our guest today is Rosiane Houngbo-Monteverde, a French corporate Lawyer who built her career working for major companies before leaving France to join her husband in Bahrain.  There she managed to work for another major regional company. However, at the same time, she started realizing a real need for legal support for expats who build businesses away from their home base. This is what led her to launch her own company, named Legal Nomads, a law firm for French expats abroad and foreign expats living in France.
                                    Business regulations can be very different from a country to another and even though Rosiane specializes in French law, she has worked in many international circumstances and companies.  She shares her experience and important legal advice for other expat partners who want to reinvent themselves and create their own portable careers.
                                    Highlights from the episode
                                    • Rosiane describes her experience when she first moved abroad with her husband
                                    • The need to embrace her complete identity and not solely defining it by her employment status
                                    • Things to consider when launching a business abroad
                                    • Know what questions to ask and find the right experts
                                    • Countries to consider for setting up a company abroad when you’re constantly moving as an expat spouse
                                    • How to protect your brand and trademark
                                    • How to choose the right expert and lawyer to help you

                                      • Legal considerations for starting a portable business abroad
                                      • Visa status:  does your current visa allow you to launch a company?
                                      • Location: consider where you are currently living but also where else you can set up your business
                                      • Tax treaties: understand the tax implications
                                      • Liability:  protect yourself and understand the laws in the country you live and where your business is registered
                                      • Social care: starting a business may impact your insurance eligibility and social protection
                                      • Trademark: local versus global registration
                                      • E-commerce: where to implement your e-shop and the terms & conditions that apply to your business
                                      • Contracts: protect yourself with a contract that has been created by a lawyer

                                        • Really believe in what you are doing. It will help you through the tough times.
                                        Other Resources
                                        • Visit the local Chamber of Commerce in the city you want to start your company

                                          • Where to find Rosiane
                                          • Instagram
                                          • Facebook

                                            •  
                                            The legal aspects aren’t the only things to consider when setting up your business.  Listen to the episode 74 for the 6 rules to grow your portable business.  
                                            Do you have any further questions?   Ask in the comments below
                                            49 min
                                          • TN74: 6 rules to grow your portable business – Amel Derragui
                                            This is a very special episode designed for expat spouses who want to reinvent their career and build a great business on the move!
                                            I prepared for you a free mini course where I list all the things you have to think about to grow a successful portable business.
                                            As an extra bonus, to keep some notes and have these tips handy at any time, download this free cheatsheet below.
                                            Also, in this document you will get free access to the mp3 audio file of this episode!
                                             In this episode we will cover:
                                            • What is the most important thing to define about your business
                                            • How to define who is your ideal customer
                                            • How to build a marketing strategy
                                            • What makes your business portable
                                            • How to build resilience and the path to success

                                              • DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE GUIDEBOOK
                                              BUILD THE FOUNDATIONS OF A SUCCESSFUL PORTABLE BUSINESS!
                                              Click here to download!
                                              Here are some of the online tools I mention in this episode:
                                              DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE ONLINE TOOLKIT
                                              The list of indispensable online tools to run your portable business!
                                              Here are some examples that you will find in this toolkit:
                                              • Video conferencing: www.zoom.us
                                              • Online payment: www.paypal.com
                                              • Accounting automation: www.quickbooks.intuit.com

                                                • Click here to download!
                                                 Need guidance to build and grow your portable business?
                                                • Request a free assessment session: contact me here!

                                                  • Need to know more about me?
                                                  I am a business and marketing coach for global entrepreneurs.
                                                  My entrepreneurial journey started when I gave up my career in advertising to be able to travel with my husband for his job assignments abroad. I launched Blink and C, a consulting company in marketing and branding and provided my services to various clients in major industries across 3 continents.
                                                  Six years later, discovering a real need for career support among expat spouses, I founded Tandem Nomads, a podcast show and online platform where expat spouses find inspiring stories and practical support to help them build a portable business.
                                                  33 min
                                                • TN73: How to be in control of your life and career as an expat spouse – Amel Derragui
                                                  Are you an expat spouse who gave up your professional success to be with your partner and support his or her career abroad?
                                                  Do you feel stuck, confused or tired of living in constant transitions while searching for a source of stability and fulfillment for yourself?
                                                  You are not alone!
                                                  This week is a special episode recorded from above the clouds on my way from Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan. My trip to Asia included a stop in Seoul where I held the second Tandem Nomads conference: From Expat Spouse to Global Entrepreneur. And if you couldn’t make it to the conference, this podcast will summarize what I presented during the conference on what to know and plan to be in control of your life and career as an expat spouse.
                                                  Highlights from the episode for expat spouses
                                                  After over 70 interviews with expat spouses from around the world for the podcast, I’m excited to share with you all the tips, advice and inspiration that I’ve learned. I’ve compiled my favorite clips from those interviews that speak about:
                                                  What it’s like to be an expat partner
                                                  “Expat life is a fantastic life opportunity but it is real life, the better prepared and in control you are the better the journey will be” (From Rachel Yates)
                                                  The challenges facing expat partner
                                                  “If you take care of your needs, everything falls into place around you.” (Rashmid Zimburg)
                                                  • (And more quotes from Evelyn Simpson, Olivier Caudron, Igor Koscak, Marilyn Gardner, Sundae Schneider-Bean)

                                                    • How to plan your expat journey so you are prepared and avoid the traps
                                                    “Be aware for your rights and duties at home and abroad even if you think you do not need it” (Amel)
                                                    • (Quotes from Rachel Yates, Hui-Chin Chen, Jeremy Piccoli, Lucy Greenwood)

                                                      • The re-invention journey: How did other expat partners re-invent themselves?
                                                      “Invest in your personal and professional growth and capitalize on your existing skills” (Amel)
                                                      • (Quotes from Sundae Schneider-Bean, Jo Parfitt, Asetila Kostinger, Kristin Duncombe)

                                                        • My personal tips and the advice I give to all expat spouses who want to build a portable career
                                                        1. Don’t do it alone – find your community
                                                        2. Invest in your skills and passions to keep growing and learning
                                                        3. Take the leap! Don’t make excuses. Start first – perfect later

                                                          4. Stay tuned for the next episode where I’ll give you my personal tips and practical tools you can use to build your portable career.
                                                          Resources & Recommendations
                                                          • Book: Diplomatic Baggage: The Adventures of a Trailing Spouse
                                                          • Find out more about the first Tandem Nomads conference in New York and watch the replays
                                                          • Like the Facebook page and watch the Facebook Live video of the second Tandem Nomads conference in Seoul

                                                            •  
                                                            41 min
                                                          • TN72: How to start a successful business from scratch – Marcelle Yeager
                                                            Marcelle Yeager is American she recently moved from Chile to DC. Prior to Chile, she and her husband also lived in Uzbekistan and Russia.  It was in Uzbekistan, despite being in a remote, unknown location, that she started a successful business.  In this episode, she shares some of her advice as an entrepreneur and how she managed to grow her business.
                                                            To know more about Marcelle, check out Episode 29 when we first interviewed Marcelle.  In that episode, she discusses her identity challenges of being an expat spouse and dealing with culture shock.  Marcelle’s background is in strategic communications. When she and her husband agreed to take the first assignment abroad that he was offered, she quit her promising career back home.  She took some jobs and did some freelance work in Uzbekistan but very soon she launched her first business, Career Valet.  Career Valet helps people looking for a job perfect their resume and adapt it to their career goals.  She started her second one, ServingTalent, a service specifically help military spouses find a job and build their professional success while moving from a country to another.
                                                            Highlights from Marcelle’s episode
                                                            • The interesting stories of how Career Valet & ServingTalent started
                                                            • How she decided what business on which to build her portable career
                                                            • How jumping around in her career became a strength in her business

                                                              •  “This is something I’ve always done for my friends, so I decided to do it as a business”
                                                              • The steps she took to start a successful business from scratch
                                                              • Her tips to encourage word of mouth
                                                              • The marketing strategies she implemented to implement to launch and grow her business

                                                                •  “Giving personal attention made my clients come back and refer me to other clients”
                                                                • The hurdles she encountered while starting a successful business without formal training
                                                                • Her challenges and how she deals with them

                                                                  •  “It is important to know who are the clients you really want and what real value you provide”
                                                                  • How she manages to balance being a mom and running a successful business from home

                                                                    •  “Running a business and a family can be tough, but it is important to accept it and enjoy the flexibility it also provides”
                                                                    Marcelle’s Book Recommendations
                                                                    • Passion Capital: The World’s Most Valuable Asset
                                                                    • Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

                                                                      • Marcelle’s Online Resources
                                                                      • SquareSpace
                                                                      • MailChimp

                                                                        • Find Marcelle online
                                                                        • Web Career Valet (resume writing services): 
                                                                        • Web ServingTalent (job placement for military spouses): 
                                                                        • Blog articles: US News. 
                                                                        • LinkedIn: Marcelle Yeager

                                                                          • 45 min
                                                                        • TN71: How to learn and embrace technology for your business – Ritu Banga
                                                                          In this episode, we hear from Ritu Banga.  She shares her life story, how she dealt with the challenges of giving up a successful career and how to learn and embrace technology for your business.  Ritu grew up and studied in India where she launched her career in marketing and her consulting business before moving abroad. She and her family lived in UK, Belgium, Hong Kong and now the US.
                                                                          While waiting for her visa and job approvals and moving from one country to another, she started volunteering with various schools and university boards. Her growing reputation and involvement in education led her to the board of the Asian University for Women Support Foundation, where she played an important role in launching the university in Bangladesh to empower young women in Asia.  Today she is co-founder of the startup  Zoomdojo, with Carol Rattray. Zoomdojo is a career resource designed to support students and recent graduates around the world with their entry into the employment market.
                                                                          Highlights from Ritu’s Episode
                                                                          • How a short overseas assignment led to a longer career living abroad
                                                                          • How she dealt with the challenges of giving up a successful career

                                                                            • “First day abroad: kids go to school, husband goes to work, and I am home asking myself, ‘what just happened?”
                                                                            • Her feelings and how she felt when she first moved overseas
                                                                            • How volunteering can help expat partners who are constantly on the move
                                                                            • How volunteering experiences can turn it into an opportunity to create a business

                                                                              • “Ask yourself how will you reimagine yourself and start taking baby steps towards that”
                                                                              • How to learn about technology and embrace it to build a successful business

                                                                                • “Keep learning and improving, we are always in beta mode”
                                                                                • Her advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur

                                                                                  • “Find a complementary partner to bounce off your ideas”
                                                                                  Ritu’s Resources
                                                                                  • Google for business (Google suite)
                                                                                  • Zoom 
                                                                                  • Team viewer
                                                                                  • WordPress
                                                                                  • Dropbox
                                                                                  • Drupal.org
                                                                                  • Google Analytics

                                                                                    • Find Ritu online
                                                                                    • Web: Zoomdojo

                                                                                      •  
                                                                                      44 min
                                                                                    • TN70: How to leave a legacy and be a great leader – Ruth Van Reken
                                                                                      In this episode, Ruth Van Reken shares her life story, how to leave a legacy and be a great leader.  Ruth is an American citizen and was raised in Nigeria. She is the co-author of the famous book among global families called Third Culture Kids: Growing up among Worlds.  A book designed to help TCKs, expat children and their parents with personal development and the identity issues that can arise from not belonging to one culture or one place.  She is also the author of Letters Never Sent: A global nomad’s journey from hurt to healing.
                                                                                      She is also the co-founder of the Families in Global Transition (FIGT) organization, a welcoming forum for globally mobile individuals, families, and those working with them.  It is a venture that started on a kitchen table and grew over the years with hundreds of members that connect across the world through its online platform and meet every year at the annual FIGT conference.
                                                                                      Highlights from Ruth’s Episode on how to leave a legacy
                                                                                      • Why and how she started building the FIGT tribe and writing the book on TCKs

                                                                                        • “I didn’t know how difficult it would be but I always think we can get there”
                                                                                        • How she grew the FIGT tribe over the years

                                                                                          • “I’ve got the vision, but I need the people with the process”
                                                                                          • How she managed to attract so many volunteer willing to be a part of FIGT

                                                                                            • “When you include other people’s gifts, you get an amazing whole, don’t be afraid to make your tent bigger”
                                                                                            • How FIGT grew through its various transitions

                                                                                              • “It is important to define what is it really about to go through change and time”
                                                                                              • What it is to be a tribe leader

                                                                                                • “Make people feel welcome and lead by example”
                                                                                                • How to build resilience and deal with those who don’t believe in you

                                                                                                  • “Don’t focus on those who don’t believe in you, focused on those you can help”
                                                                                                  Ruth’s Book Recommendations
                                                                                                  • Third Culture Kids: Growing up among Worlds
                                                                                                  • Letters Never Sent: A global nomad’s journey from hurt to healing

                                                                                                    • Additional Resources
                                                                                                    • Families in Global Transition
                                                                                                    • Information about Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
                                                                                                    • Obama’s ‘Third Culture’ Team

                                                                                                      • Find Ruth Online:
                                                                                                      • Cross Culture Kid website

                                                                                                        • 43 min

                                                                                                      About The Time Is Now

                                                                                                      From the publisher's feed

                                                                                                      The Time Is Now to go from invisible to in-demand. A podcast for mission-driven solopreneurs ready to grow with clarity, freedom, and impact.