Petra Boteková, who moved abroad at 25 and burned out despite success, now helps expats thrive overseas. She compares relocation to marathon training, emphasizes contribution as the key to happiness, and says understanding personality, human needs, and culture is essential for thriving internationally.
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Welcome to the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with the support you need to finish your book. Best part is, after you finish your book, they take care of the entire publishing and marketing process 100% for you. So if you want to become a successful author, make sure to check out authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner, and today I have Petra Boltekova, and she helps global talent move abroad and create a life abroad they love. She has been working with over 50 multinational firms and hundreds of expats from all around the world preparing them for their move, helping them integrate in a new country and act with confidence in the global workplace. So welcome to the show.
Thank you, Tyler. Very excited to be here.
Of course. And we're excited to have you on. So the first question we ask on this show is what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
Great question. So I would like to share kind of a personal story. So 3 years ago, I was sent abroad to Austria to build up a branch for Central Eastern Europe. And I was 25. So back then, you know, people in and out of the company thought I was crazy to think I could do it. And so what I did was, of course, I worked my buns off to prove them wrong. And we were doing really well. So we saw a huge increase in revenue and we started to hire people. And, you know, we've been kicking ass, but at some point I just realized I wasn't really happy. I was burned out. I was lonely. I didn't integrate in Austria at all. And I was kind of asking myself, how come that someone like me who's helping people to prepare for their international assignments and move abroad, how come that I'm struggling? And You know, I did some inside job and I became a life coach in the process and I started to talk to other people and I realized I wasn't the only one. And so it took me quite some time, I would even say half a year to get to normal again. And it's at that point I decided I wanted to help expats or people who move abroad to not only survive abroad and to give them the practical tools, but really to help them thrive and to have a great experience in whatever country they're going to. So, and today I'm really proud to be a co-founder of a newly founded company that does exactly that. And, you know, the lesson here for me was, and I hope for some folks out there who are still struggling to find their purpose, You know, if you can tap into your pain, so really the bad stuff that happened to you, then you can find your purpose in helping people to overcome or avoid challenges you once faced.
I love that. That's so true. Um, so I'm excited for your answer on this next one too. So, um, what is the most valuable piece of information we should know that's within your expertise or industry?
Yeah, so if you, if you're ever about to move abroad, I want you to remember that building a new life a place else is like preparing for a marathon. So just, you know, think about going for a run for the first time. It's super hard, right? It's your whole body is hurting. And but once you include some stretches and you include healthy nutrition and You keep training and it gets better and better. And that's the same thing with moving abroad. You know, once you invest your time to prepare and you apply the tools that help you settle in and integrate, then, and you, of course, you remain patient and, and, and, you know, make one step at a time, you will have truly a great success, whatever country you are going to.
And what is your best piece of overall business advice? So not necessarily industry specific.
So something that's been really important to me and made a huge difference in my own life is becoming a master at understanding people. So I even teach my clients. It's something that I've been always super curious about are basically that I would say the 3 levels of human behavior, at least I call it that way. And there's the one, the one is the individual one. It's about your personality and life experiences. Just simply the things that make you, make you special and unique. But then there is of course the universal ones. So the needs we have for, for instance, for love and connection, recognition, or security. And then there is the third one. And that's what's super important, especially if you work internationally. And that's something that I've been dealing with for many, many years now is also understanding what kind of an influence culture has, has on your behavior and of course the behavior of others. So let's say you're someone who grew up in a country that values harmony over honesty. And sometimes you might, like, if you're like me, get hurt by people who might be a bit more direct in communication and vice versa. And, you know, once I, I learned these things and, and, uh, I really mastered also those skills, then I saw a real improvement in my own relationships.
And then if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Ah, that will be, yeah, there will be probably more, more things to say, but definitely one thing that I, I think I, I recognize to be like, to be very, very important is, um, just, you know, allow yourself to be vulnerable, um, just let people see your emotional world and your imperfections. And, and that's, I mean, that's how we connect to others. And, um, you know, at the same time, don't be afraid to say what you want and what you need with confidence and just have clear standards and get clear on your standards and boundaries and don't let anyone cross them.
And in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
Ah, that's a tough one. But I, for me at least, really for me, and that's something that also completely changed my perspective when I was struggling in my life and was when I started to speak see or start, like, live a life beyond myself. So I would say contribution is the key. So, um, you know, I think we always try, or many people try to have or find the secure love or the secure job, and we think that that will make us happy. But truly, if life taught me something, then it's the only thing that is certain in life is the love or the help you can give.
Hmm. And what is the best book that you've read and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
Um, so I recently, um, I didn't even read it. I, I, it was audiobook. So I was listening to it. Um, it's Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. And I have to say that book completely changed my perspective on how I talk to my audience and customers and really way more relatable and compelling way. And I would say that's definitely a must read for every entrepreneur.
I love that book as well. I listened to that like 4 or 5 months ago. Very good.
Yeah. Yeah. It's really good.
And then what is your favorite quote and why?
Well, so I would say, um, "Progress, not perfection" from Mary Forleo, um, simply because I tend to be a big perfectionist and of course you can have great ideas, but if you get stuck, trying to, or wanting it to be perfect, then you simply do— you either don't do anything at all or you get stuck in the process. So this is something that I really need to remind myself of even daily.
I love it. Thank you so much for coming on. The last one I have for you before we let you go is where can our audience best find you online?
First of all, thank you, Taylor. It was really a pleasure to be on your show. And, uh, well, you can head on to head over to my YouTube channel. So either youtube.com/bonderless or you go to my Instagram page and that's @petra.botecoma.
Perfect. Thank you again for coming on.
Thank you, Tyler Wagner.
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