I’m 34. I’m originally from Washington DC and I’ve lived in Japan, Pakistan, Jordan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Philippines, France, and Australia (my dad was a diplomat). I currently live in London, UK. I came here to do my MBA at London Business School- and then started a business Cupcake Mum (www.cupcakemum.com).
How long have you lived there and how long will you stay? What keeps you there?
I have been in London for 9 years(!). I’ll be in London indefinitely because of my business.
What do you do to make a living?
I own a members’ club and spa called Cupcake for pregnant mums and mums with kids under age 5. It’s the first business of its kind in London; I saw a gap in the market for a place where these groups of women could go to socialise and feel part of a community. I’ve always had a particular talent for connecting people – in fact, I’ve introduced many couples who are in long-term relationships or are married!. I think this has really helped me as an expat because when you move to a new country it’s so important to connect with new people and your new community.
Describe your average weekday and weekend day.
Work! Owning your own business means the lines between work time and personal time become blurred. It also means I have a variety of duties, whether it’s meeting with investors, meeting with my team or working on the business strategy. Most days include lots of interaction with the mums and babies who are Cupcake members!
What skills have you learned while living abroad?
Patience, perseverance and applying a sense of humor to culturally funny situations. For instance, there was a very popular ad campaign for Renault Megane in the UK which used the Groove Armada song “Shaking that A**”. When I was in Paris for a business meeting, we walked past a Megane and I started singing “I see you baby, shaking that a**” (and of course doing the associated dance). My colleagues looked at me like I was nuts. It turns out that the ad campaign hadn’t run in France. Plus they thought I was insulting one of their beloved brands. Thank goodness for YouTube – I was able to send them a link to the ad afterwards.
What are you missing (professionally) by not being in your home country?
A bigger group of successful women entrepreneurs (but the group I have here in the UK is still great!).
If you could live anywhere, where would that be and why?
Right here, right now! It’s a fabulous world city.
What is your favorite gadget that makes your work life abroad better?
My Blackberry – I’m not quite a crackberry addict, but it makes life super convenient.
Do you have a favorite book that inspired you to travel or consider a different way of living?
I really like Po Bronson’s “What Should I do With My Life”.
Do you have a favorite expat blog?
I love A Broad in America, Around the World “L” and The Adventures of Miss Mommy.
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