In this Business Blast podcast episode, host Tyler Wagner introduces Petra Boteková, a specialist who helps global talent move abroad and thrive. Petra shares a personal story of being sent to Austria at 25 to build a regional branch, where she achieved business success but felt burned out and isolated, prompting her transition into life coaching and co‑founding a company that supports expats beyond mere survival. She frames relocating abroad as a marathon, emphasizing gradual preparation, stretching, nutrition, and patience. Petra outlines her "three levels of human behavior" framework—individual personality, universal human needs, and cultural influences—and explains how mastering these layers improves relationships and cross‑cultural work. She advises her younger self to embrace vulnerability, express needs confidently, and set clear boundaries. When asked about happiness, she identifies contribution to others as the key. Petra recommends Donald Miller’s Building a StoryBrand for clearer, more compelling communication, and cites the quote "Progress, not perfection" (Marie Forleo) as a daily reminder against perfectionism. The episode concludes with Petra’s online presence links (YouTube: founderless, Instagram: @petrabotecoma) and sponsor mentions for Anchor and Authors Unite.
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Thank you for listening to the Business Blast podcast. So for all my listeners out there that have been wanting to do your own podcast, I'd like to introduce to you Anchor. Anchor is a one-stop shop for recording, hosting, distributing, and monetizing your podcast. So before I found Anchor, I had never actually done a podcast because all the research that I had gathered made it seem very complex. Then I found Anchor, and Anchor makes podcasting extremely simple. So if you want to do your own podcast, go to anchor.fm/start. I can't wait to hear your podcast. 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 Botekova. 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 Wagner. 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 can do it. And So what I did was, of course, I worked my buns off to prove them wrong. And we've been 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 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. So it took me quite some time. I would even say half a year or two to get to normal again. And it's at that point I decided I wanted to help expats or people who move abroad, 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 are going to. So, and today I'm really proud to be a co-founder of a newly founded company that does exactly that. 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 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 and 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 something that I've been always super curious about, are basically the, 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 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 see or live a life beyond myself. So I would say contribution is the key. So, 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 in a 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, 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, Tyler Wagner Wagner. 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/founderless or you go to my Instagram page and that's @petrabotecoma.
