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THE GERMANY EXPAT BUSINESS SHOW – SEASON 3, EP. 31 SHOW NOTES

“The solopreneur journey really is a mirror that reflects your deepest beliefs, fears, doubts, and limitations. It’s a process of growth that forces you to confront not only the external and practical challenges but also the internal ones—those that affect how you see yourself, the world around you, and how you make decisions.”

— Roberto Brito, from his Substack Burning Thoughts post ‘Building a Business, Re-Building Yourself

I really enjoyed this conversation with Ricardo. It was late on a Friday, and I kind of wanted to just go home, but like with every interview I ended up energized and excited after we talked.

How Ricardo ended up in Germany

Ricardo ended up in Berlin around 2010/2011 during the economic crisis in Portugal. He had a good job in his field, but realized that there wasn’t a promising future for him there, so he decided to quit design a better life for himself.

He had a contact in Berlin who offered him a place to stay for a month. He’d previously done an Erasmus program in Hanover, and was somewhat familiar with German culture. With a thousand bucks saved and no job or house, he moved to Germany.

Now Ricardo helps senior tech and creative professionals navigate their next career move, pivot into new roles, or launch their solopreneur ventures.

After 15 years in Design, Product and Innovation a burnout made him rethink about where his life was heading, and decided to face his worst fear: having his own business.

Navigating career changes: Tips from an expat UX designer and coach

If you’re feeling a bit stuck in your career or thinking about making a change, you’re not alone. Ricardo and I chatted about navigating career transitions.

We talked about the language dilemma for English speakers abroad, and how English speakers often find it super easy to get by in places like Berlin. While it’s great that so many people speak English, it can also make us a bit lazy about learning German.

This isn’t just a bad cultural habit, it can close off new opportunities and connections.

Finding your groove for a career shift.

Ricardo talked about switching from traditional design to UX to coaching, which was all about finding a way to connect with people and share knowledge. To make the shift you need to discover your passion, start creating content and network.

We went deep on content creation and Ricardo is really good it. See his Substack (link at the bottom of this post). We talked both strategy (know your audience) and tactics (planning, scheduling and engaging)

Ricardo also broke down the career transition journey and the importance of a personal brand. He also shared his wisdom and perspective about solopreneurship:

🌍 Why Networking is Key

💡 Start with what you know

💰 Invest to Earn

📈 Know Your Market

🛠️ Utilize the Right Tools

📅 Stay Active Online

Final thoughts on career changes and solopreneurship

Making a career change can be a wild ride, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re looking to switch things up in your current field or explore something completely new, remember to embrace the journey, connect with others, and invest in your personal brand.

For more insights and to hear the full conversation, check out the podcast episode and follow Ricardo on his journey, his deets are below:

www.ricardobrito.me
Newsletter: https://ricardobrito.substack.com/
Career Storytelling Toolkit: www.ricardobrito.me/gift