Sharing what I’ve learned – offering help and advice

I sometimes write guest blog posts and articles for other websites. I enjoy doing this and also enjoy reading what other people blog about as it’s usually in a similar vein to what I tend to write. My most recent post is called ‘How I turned redundancy into a an expat entrepreneur adventure’ originally posted on theexpathub. It’s impossible to describe what I’ve been through since I left my home country in just one blog post! I feel I’ve had some fantastic experiences, I’ve learned A LOT and I’m very happy with how my life has turned out, even though initially, I had no intention of becoming an expat or a business woman.

I also enjoy helping others and giving them advice. Shortly after my guest blog on theexpathub was published, an expathub reader contacted me asking for advice. She’d just started up her business as an expat and wanted to know what I had done in the early months and if I had any tips for her. I sent her back an email detailing some key points and some solid advice which, from her email back to me, sounded like she was going to use and was happy she had contacted me. I love learning about other peoples’ businesses as well and their stories – how they got to where they are and what their plans are for the future. It’s all so fascinating and if I can be of any help, then am happy to assist.

I’m mentoring a Chinese expat mum who is ‘bringing up brits’. We met at our children’s swimming lessons several years ago and she’s now become a Bringing Up Brits reader. She has a professional, full time job and is interested in starting up a business which may one day become her main job. Over the past few years at the swimming lessons, we’ve been talking about her new business idea and how much she wants to get going with it. We are now upping the ante as she’s coming over to my house for a ‘business session’. I’m excited for her but it’s also time to get serious. Maybe running her own business isn’t for her and she’s best suited to being in employment with a regular salary? Perhaps part of the purpose of these mentoring sessions will be to help her decide if she really does want to run her own business. Perhaps this will mark the beginning of a new chapter of her expat life. It’s all very exciting and I’m really looking forward to it. I wish I had had someone to talk to when I first started up White Ochre Design. I was so naive and, let’s face it, a bit stupid in some of my decision making (can’t really be called decision making if you’re just winging it!). I’ve learned so much since then and now it’s time for me to share what I’ve learned with others. That’s part of why I wanted to write Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs and part of why I enjoy networking so much. Meeting other business people, learning from them and being inspired but also inspiring them and offering advice to others. Ok I’ll stop blabbing on, this is just something close to my heart.

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Meghan Fenn is the author of Bringing Up Brits and co-author of Inspiring Global Entrepreneurs with Heidi Mulligan Walker. Meghan is also the Director and Chief Designer at her own design company, White Ochre Design Ltd.  And, she is an award winning expat blogger.