Building a Business Abroad

November 21st will make 11 years since I founded The Expat Woman in San Francisco.

When I decided to start it, I knew I wanted it to be a for-profit organization, and one that builds community and creates impact.

I had no idea how to run a business, where to start. I didn't go to business school.

But I had a passion and a purpose and clarity on who my target audience was.

Starting a business especially in a new country is challenging and definitely not for the faint hearted.

From building your product and service, legal requirements, funding it, finding clients, marketing and sales, hiring a team or VAs, there are so many balls to juggle, especially if you are also having to deal with culture shock, navigating life in a new country etc

And then you have to network, promote yourself, your business, sell, the hardest part of the business.

Building visibility for yourself and your business can help tremendously with finding support, a community, opportunities and clients. People buy from people!

For the longest time I hid behind my business. I was not comfortable being the face of my business until the pandemic hit. Being stuck at home helped me slowly build the courage and confidence to find my voice and share it and definitely opened up new opportunities for me.

This week’s newsletter in honor of Women Entrepreneurship Day, is dedicated to helping you leverage that visibility to build a thriving business, wherever you are.

Here are some tips:

• The Power of Visibility in Business Putting yourself out there is not easy but if you are passionate about what you do want to share it with the world, and who specifically to share it with, it makes it easier.

Visibility isn’t just about being seen—it’s about making your expertise, values, and personality shine in ways that resonate with your potential clients.

Whether you're a coach, consultant, or entrepreneur, your personal brand, your authenticity and how you show up is what connects you to potential clients and partners.

And when you are visible, you are making your services known to folks who might benefit from what you have to offer

Here are key ways to start building visibility in any market:

• Leverage LinkedIn: This global social media platform is a gateway to international clients. Create and build a network, community who are your industry peers, thought leaders and target audience, a profile, company page and content that showcases your expertise, what you want to be known for and your business.

The Expat Woman LinkedIn Page recently crossed 4K followers!! Thank you to everyone who is following up.

• Network Locally and Virtually: Use a mix of local meetups and online events to grow your network and show up consistently. Consistent visibility allows people to remember you and your business—and sharing what you do in an authentic way helps you stand out without feeling "salesy."

Image from our most recent virtual networking event where many of our guests were entrepreneurs and had the opportunity to connect and share what they do.

Saskia Rock, SHRM-SCP , Michelle Natalya Moore , Shannon Abad , Veerle Beelen Da Costa David , Thais Silva , Estefania Barsante, PCC , Angela Johnson, RN , Anagha Suresh , Munisha Mirchandani , Sandra Morno MBA, EA ?????? MoneySmart Travelnista , Erika Kim , Bianka Olszewska , Dominika Miernik

• Showcase Your Successes: Don’t shy away from celebrating milestones, sharing client testimonials, or giving a behind-the-scenes look into your journey. Promoting your wins and offers helps build credibility and attracts clients who align with your values and expertise.

• Share Your Expertise: Establish yourself as an authority by guest speaking on podcasts, writing blog posts, and speaking at events. Sharing insights through these platforms extends your reach, strengthens your credibility, and positions you as a go-to expert in your field. Each opportunity you take to share your knowledge not only raises your profile but also connects you with those who can benefit from your services.

I had one of our members Sierra Merritt on The Expat Woman Show and after the show, this is the message she sent me

After our interview, I started receiving back to back inquiries for my VA services with clients wanting to onboard and alleviate their workloads which has been wonderful for business! It has also made me a little hesitant to commit to new engagements until I can hunker down on my workloads and client expectations.

• Create Valuable Content: Build your visibility by creating content that reflects your expertise and insights. Create videos, write blog posts, and post regularly on social media to engage your audience. Consistent, valuable content not only positions you as a thought leader but also helps potential clients understand your unique approach. By offering tips, insights, or sharing personal stories, you can establish trust, demonstrate your skills, and keep your brand top of mind.

Don't wait till you are perfect and until you can figure everything out.

I challenged myself to a 30-day video challenge last month where I created and posted a short-form video on The Expat Woman YouTube and TikTok channels.

I decided to experiment with short form videos on these platforms to get more confident and comfortable as it’s mostly strangers following me unlike on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Even if they judge and leave mean comments, it doesn’t matter because I don’t know them.

Lessons learned:

how to use CapCut to edit

how to use my phone more intentionally to shoot video

get more comfortable showing up on camera and recording my voice

what videos did well on each of the platforms

• Create Visibility for other Entrepreneurs: Supporting others on their visibility journey can also enhance your own. By showcasing others—whether it’s highlighting a client success, sharing a colleague’s work, or collaborating with fellow entrepreneurs—you build a reputation as a connector and a trusted voice in your field. When you lift others up, you attract attention from their networks too, opening doors to new connections, partnerships, and potential clients.

• Engage in Strategic Collaborations: Partnering with other entrepreneurs or brands can significantly boost your visibility. Collaborations—whether through joint webinars, workshops, events or lives, social media takeovers, or co-branded content—allow you to tap into each other’s audiences and reach new potential clients. By aligning with complementary brands or influencers, you not only expand your network but also build credibility and authority in your field. Strategic collaborations can lead to long-term partnerships, increased exposure, and a stronger presence in your industry.

To celebrate Women Entrepreneurship Day and The Expat Woman, here are our upcoming events for this week:

Nov. 19th at 5:30PM PST - International Women Entrepreneurs Mixer and Panel

On the occasion of Women Entrepreneurship Day on Nov. 19th, join us at FOSSA , San Francisco?for a fabulous evening of mingling followed by a panel discussion with international women entrepreneurs who will share their experiences, advice, and insights on moving to the US and starting and running a business

Panelists

Sima Pravin Patel , Co-Founder/CEO of Ridgemont Hospitality and Founder of Saaheli

Maria Porco , Serial Entrepreneur and Early-Stage Startup Advisor

Paula Sieron-Shanley , Real Estate Advisor / Realtor at Keller Williams Luxury International

Estefania Barsante, PCC , Founder and CEO of EB HR & Coaching

Moderator: Nyna Caputi, Founder and CEO of The Expat Woman

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Nov. 20th at 9am PST -?Building a Business Abroad on The LinkedIn Audio Show

Did you start a business when you moved abroad? Or is that on your wishlist? Join us for an audio discussion with members of The Expat Woman Membership on LinkedIn, Monica M Smith , Sandra Morno MBA, EA ?????? MoneySmart Travelnista , Sierra Merritt and me, Nyna Caputi on the occasion of Women Entrepreneurship Day where we will share our own experiences, insights and tips with starting a business and also bring guests on stage who want to ask questions or share

RSVP HERE

Nov. 21st - 11th Birthday Virtual Celebrations + Networking

Join us for a free virtual celebration of The Expat Woman’s 11th birthday which includes networking and a reunion of our three TEW virtual summit’s speakers, sponsors, guests and our expat woman community and friends.

A fun and inspiring hour of connections, conversations and culture in a safe and welcoming space and prizes to win.

RSVP HERE

Go to theexpatwoman.com/events to see all the upcoming events and hope you can join us

Share your business with The Expat Woman Community

I created a post in The Expat Woman FB Group inviting entrepreneurs to share about their business in the comments.

Head to our Facebook group and share in the comments of this post

What are you doing to build your visibility and your business abroad? Let me know in the comments.        

Wish you a?wonderful rest of the week and hope to see you at our events and inside the membership.

Cheers,

Nyna

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Hi, I am Nyna Caputi, Founder and CEO of The Expat Woman , a global platform focused on connecting, supporting and empowering women who have moved abroad or plan to relocate.

I am also a LinkedIn Coach and Trainer. I was recognized as one of the top 15 LinkedIn Experts in San Francisco in 2023 and have trained and coached 100s of CEOs and corporate teams at some of the leading startups and companies in Silicon Valley and beyond.