Episode Transcript
Speaker 1 00:00:03 Hi, Ola and hello and welcome to my kids. Think I'm cool, but podcast hosted by me, yours, truly Jackie I'm an American Filipino mom living in Denmark, trying to balance culture, raise international kids and learn the language all while trying not to lose my shit when I'm not parenting. I'm a working mom, aspiring entrepreneur and a podcaster by night. So get ready for an exciting season. Two of my kids think I'm cool podcast. This season, I will focus on international parents doing their thing from changing careers, starting a business all while trying to adapt to a new country. So grab a coffee or wine and listen, laugh and enjoy.
Speaker 2 00:00:50 Hi everyone. And welcome back to my kids. Think I'm cool. But podcast for today's episode, I'm actually interviewing someone that does face painting here in Denmark. And I think it's really interesting because it's so out of the blue and so creative and so different kind of business that someone is starting here in Denmark. And I'm really happy. I came across her profile. I feel like I find all my guests on Facebook, but that's, you know, we're here. I'm part of, uh, different international groups. So this is how I find these amazing women. And she actually posted on an international group about her business. And if anyone wants to hire a face painter for parties or events or anything like that, and I found it really interesting because it's something that I know exists in the us, like a face painting business, but not here in Denmark.
Speaker 2 00:01:38 It's more, when you think about face painting, it's more, you know, if you go into a theme park, you don't really see it out at a, a birthday party or anything like that. Or if it is at a birthday party, it's more like a mom or someone doing it on the side. And it's not something like serious. And she does really good art. So I'm really happy that she agreed to be on my podcast. Her name is, uh, Victoria, and she is from Austria. And she's living here in Denmark for the last, uh, 10 years. Her husband is Dane and she has two kids. So yeah, and I thought she'd be perfect for this podcast because she started a, a job here. She started a business here, not a job, but she started a business here and she's doing that plus working and plus, you know, raising her kids.
Speaker 2 00:02:25 And I think it's super interesting. So I'm really happy that she agreed to be on the podcast. And I hope you guys find her story, her journey, her experience here in Denmark, on starting a business, living here and all, all that be interesting. So here we go. Here is my interview with Victoria. Hope you guys enjoy. Hi Victoria. Thank you so much for being my kids. Think of cool, but podcast, I'm really happy that you took time out of your day to actually be here. Cuz I know you have two kids and working and also have your business that you're trying to do. So thank you so much for being on my podcast before we get started. Can you tell the listeners a little bit about yourself and how you ended up here in Denmark? Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:03:07 Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here. I've never been part of a podcast before, so yeah, I feel very special. Yeah. My name is Victoria. Um, I'm from Austria. I'm an educated primary school teacher and the plan was never to move to Denmark, but yeah, that's how life goes. Cuz I, I met my husband. I studied abroad here in Denmark, in cope hang nearly 10 years ago where I met my husband. Like back then it was my boyfriend like really quick and yeah. And then I just came back to Denmark. Yeah. And stayed.
Speaker 2 00:03:36 I feel like that's everyone's story. They met a day and stay <laugh>. It was also my story so I can relate, but I didn't meet him here. I met him back in the us
Speaker 3 00:03:47 <laugh> oh really? Oh nice.
Speaker 2 00:03:48 Since this is a bit of a, a parenting, what podcast? And I really wanna focus on what you're doing here in Denmark, but it is, I do talk about a little bit about parenting here compared to how it is back in our home country. How do you find in your experience here as a parent compared to Austria?
Speaker 3 00:04:05 Yeah. So like I've had my kids here, like my kids are born here. Yeah. And you know, like they grow up here. So, you know, I've never really, I don't actually know how it is like being a child in or being a parent in Austria. But like I think being a parent here overall, it's great. And reaching children here is great. I would've wished that rules for staying at home with your child. Like those maternity leave rules. Would've been. Yeah. How should you say that? Like better. Cuz I think you can only stay home until I, I can't remember exactly like maybe nine or 10 months like paid and then most kids start in like nursery or something and in an Austria this period of time where you can stay at home with your child and like still have a job to come back to and actually also still get money. It's a lot longer. So that's something. Yeah. I would wish would be different.
Speaker 2 00:04:50 How long is it in Austria?
Speaker 3 00:04:52 It's like different, but it can actually be like after two years. Oh wow.
Speaker 2 00:04:55 I thought one year was a lot <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:04:58 Yeah. But like, so I mean it's, it's very different, but like, yeah, that was like, I don't know. Yeah. I think that's a bit sad, like personal for me, but like that's also something that was like important for me. Like especially with the second child that I would like want to be yeah. At home with him for long because they just grow up so fast and you know then yeah. Everything else is happening, but yeah. So I just wanna enjoy
Speaker 2 00:05:20 Cherish the last
Speaker 3 00:05:21 One. Yeah. Really? Just, yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2 00:05:24 <laugh> especially when you're not planning to have another one. It's like, that's your last one? That's gonna be a baby forever.
Speaker 3 00:05:30 Really? He's just my forever baby. He'll he? He's never growing up.
Speaker 2 00:05:34 <laugh> yeah. That's why I also tell my son that I was like, you're never growing up.
Speaker 3 00:05:38 Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 00:05:39 My always my baby. This is like my favorite question because everyone has such different culture shocks. What was your biggest culture shock when you moved to Denmark?
Speaker 3 00:05:47 I think the biggest one was by far how Danes are obsessed about the Danish flag. It's like everywhere, like birthdays, just some holidays. Like even for, for Christmas, they put up small Danish flags, like sometimes around the, around the Christmas tree and, and yeah. That's just not something I'm used to in Austria. You basically never see the flag, the Austria flag. And then here it's just everywhere. Like you put it on a birthday cake, it's just, yeah. It's a lot <laugh> or like, yeah, it,
Speaker 2 00:06:17 Yeah, it is, it is a lot. It's like there, every celebration is the Danish flag. I remember going to the airport, my mother-in-law picking me up at the airport and they had Danish flags or something like that. It's like,
Speaker 3 00:06:30 Oh, oh yeah, you're right. Definitely. Yeah. True.
Speaker 2 00:06:32 Like everything is about Danish flag and I, I think it's pretty neat, but also, you know, did you do it when you had, uh, your kid's first birthday, second birthday? Did you put the Danish flags around?
Speaker 3 00:06:42 Yeah. And now like I'm even that far where I'm putting both the Danish flag on the table and then also the spring flag. So they have like both <laugh> so yeah, I guess I've lived here for a long time. You're
Speaker 2 00:06:53 Like, ah, I'll just, you know, put the Austrian flag too. <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:06:56 Yeah. Like, you know what I it's kind of, I mean, in start, I thought it was kind of a bit much, but like now it's also like kind of nice, like having some traditionals, I feel like the Dans are like very much, you have like many traditions for many holidays and like also sometimes connected with food, you know, like just the lounge you eat just lounge Poland. And it's like all these different things. And then for birthdays you have a CAE and, and there's just so many traditions and I dunno, I think it's kind of like nice, like, you know?
Speaker 2 00:07:21 Yeah. I also think it's so nice because it's so structured. So you, you already know what to do. Uh, I feel like in the us, cuz I come from us, it's just like, it's a theme party. So it's like Disney, uh, princess theme party. Now it's a zoo theme party. And I feel like it's like so exhausting to think of a new theme every year. Yeah. You're right. <laugh> is it like that in Austria or is it
Speaker 3 00:07:45 No, I don't really think so. Like when I was a child we would just have like normal birthday parties and then I could just choose whichever cake I wanted. So there was like very chill, you know, laid back, like not really a lot of fast, like it was still coaching and we had lots of fun, but it wasn't like really that big of a, like, you know, the big of a thing in a way. I don't know. <laugh> yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:08:05 What did you do before you, uh, moved to Denmark?
Speaker 3 00:08:09 So before I moved to Denmark, I was studying, I was studying to become a primary school teacher. I was actually in a middle of studying. Um, when then I went to Denmark to study here for a semester and yeah. Then I finished my education, became a teacher and then I moved here actually. So yeah, I've never really had a full time job in Austria. It's just here where I started my career.
Speaker 2 00:08:30 Yeah. So my next question wouldn't uh, agree with you. What, what did you do, what job did you do when you were in Austria, but did you find it easy to adapt to the work culture here? Uh, to find a job here?
Speaker 3 00:08:44 So like as soon as I came to Denmark, like when I came here and I knew I wanted to see for probably a long amount of time, I knew I needed to learn Danish because otherwise there was no way for me to get a job. I dunno. I just had this idea in my head. So that's why I learned Danish. I dunno in start. I did actually find it hard to get a job because I didn't really have much work experience yet. I've just been a teacher for yeah. Nearly a year. And I tried to get a job at a Danish, uh, focus, school teaching. And I just never heard back from people. I sent so many applications and it just never worked. So that was actually really depressing. But yeah. But then I got a job at the, at the international school, so yeah, that just worked out perfectly
Speaker 2 00:09:25 Fine. I feel like a lot of the internationals that, that are teachers that move to Denmark always end up in the international school because it's just easier for them to, because the language is English in there.
Speaker 3 00:09:37 Yeah. Definitely.
Speaker 2 00:09:38 And it's easier for them to, it's hard to get a position in there, but it's easier for them to get a job. Yeah. In an international school versus a, a normal public school in dun unless you're teaching English. <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:09:50 Yeah, definitely. I can imagine. Yeah. Oh yeah. That's right. True. But umactually also happy. I ended up at an international school now. I know all workplaces in all schools are different, but I just felt like that at the Danish public school where I was working, all the other teachers working there were just Danish. So they were just talking Danish together. They had all those shared interest and hobbies and they were just like, kind of like this group where I felt a bit like lift outwards into international school. We were all like from different countries. So, you know, it was just very open, friendly community. I feel like. So there was a great place to work at.
Speaker 2 00:10:24 What was your biggest obstacle integrating in Denmark? I think you just mentioned it. <laugh> uh, was it language, friends, weather. I couldn't really say weather because you're coming from Austria. I come from Los Angeles. Weather was very difficult for me.
Speaker 3 00:10:38 <laugh> oh, I could imagine <laugh> oh no.
Speaker 2 00:10:41 <laugh> so I can't really say weather. So what was like the biggest obstacle for
Speaker 3 00:10:44 You? I think actually like finding friends or like finding people to be social with now I had in Austria, actually quite many friends, like also close friends. So then coming to a new country knowing nobody, you know, it was, it was a lot. And like, I still feel like it's hard also being an adult, trying to meet new people's like, where do you do that? Like, so yeah. I feel that was a bit hard
Speaker 2 00:11:06 <laugh> yeah. Isn't it funny when you move here? It's like, where do you find friends?
Speaker 3 00:11:10 Yeah. It's like, how do you do that?
Speaker 2 00:11:13 I found my friends in Danish school, but probably
Speaker 3 00:11:16 Ah,
Speaker 2 00:11:16 Yeah, met some people in finish school. And then the Facebook groups, I never knew about groups until I moved to Denmark, how to utilize a Facebook group or they even existed as Facebook groups. And I felt like sometimes I'm like, who wants to get a drink tonight? <laugh> like, if like,
Speaker 3 00:11:33 Ah, that's cozy though. Yeah. But that's a great idea.
Speaker 2 00:11:37 Find a friend <laugh> moment. No, but I didn't really find my friends till I became a mom.
Speaker 3 00:11:44 Oh yeah. You're right. True. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:11:46 Is that for you too?
Speaker 3 00:11:47 Yeah. It helps a lot. Having, you know, children and you are able to talk about the children and then the kids can play together and the parents can, you know, hang out together, have a coffee together. Talk about parenthood. <laugh> yeah.
Speaker 2 00:11:59 That's when I started actually creating actual bond with people, not just like find someone to hang out with is when I became a mom and I was like, oh, okay. But also, you know, I feel like I, I made, I met friends that were also international moms, so we kind of knew what we were all going, you know, going against and what we're going through with the different cultures going on and yeah. Raising the kids and you know, was like what they eat to Rubal at five months. Oh,
Speaker 3 00:12:28 Oh yeah. You're right. Oh my God. <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:12:31 He was just like, he doesn't have teeth. You wanna give him bread? It's like, it's good for the dog. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:12:35 Like you're right.
Speaker 2 00:12:37 So we can all just laugh about it. Yeah. Because we just find that strange.
Speaker 3 00:12:41 Definitely. Yeah. Also the thing with them sleeping in the PRS or them just having fun on, you know, like those huge PRMs that are like up to, I don't know, a meteor long where a children can sleep in. Like, I, I remember I bought one of those and I was also very happy with it. And then first time I showed her to mom, she was like, what are you doing with this huge? Private's like, I've never seen just such a thing before. Like why on earth would a child maybe want to sleep in that? And she just couldn't see the meeting with it. Whereas after she seen how well my kids actually slept in it, she was like, oh my God, this is probably the end. Why doesn't everybody have such a big PR? So yeah. It's funny.
Speaker 2 00:13:16 It's like a moving crib.
Speaker 3 00:13:17 Yeah. It is
Speaker 2 00:13:18 My both kids loved it. They lived in it.
Speaker 3 00:13:21 Yeah. Definitely.
Speaker 2 00:13:22 Also they slept outside. So that's also strange, but my kids loved it. Yeah. It was huge. But I loved it because they sleep outside and I can clean inside and make as much noise as I want.
Speaker 3 00:13:33 Yeah, definitely. That's brilliant.
Speaker 2 00:13:35 Before we start talking about, you know, your business and what you're trying to do here in Denmark, which I, I find very fascinating, but I haven't even really mentioned it. Can you tell the audience what you do so they know what you, what you do here in Denmark or what you're trying to accomplish.
Speaker 3 00:13:49 Sure. So I'm a professional face painter. I do all things connected with face painting. So like face painting kids at like birthday parties or like yeah, bigger events, but also doing like litter Totus, um, and doing festival glitter on adults, also doing, for example, belly painting on pregnant women and yeah. And now also have a workshop where you can buy all things glitter. So like for example, with litter Totus and now I'm also just getting actually quality, face paint, so that accessible to everyone.
Speaker 2 00:14:20 That's so cool. How did you come up with this? Well, I know face painting has always been a thing. It's like, you go to a theme park. Yeah. But when did you start saying like, you know what, I want to make this like a business for myself here in Denmark.
Speaker 3 00:14:34 Yeah. It's actually a super fun story cuz it was just completely random. I've never, yeah, I knew, I mean Facebook existed, but it was like never anything for me until in 2018 I was a teacher and we went on a, on a trip with students and it was like an event. It was like a fair kind of thing. And there was a different face pin and it was a face pin there who was offering face pain to children. And there was one of my students actually who, who got her face pain, like just a tiny thing. And then she came back to student to me and said, Hey, I just got a face pain. I was like, what? Where? And she pointed my into direction and I went over. Then I looked at the other fish paint and I was just like, wow, like that's impressive.
Speaker 3 00:15:13 There were so many children standing around her and she was just, yeah. You know, doing her magic on the kids' faces and I was just blown away. So the same afternoon when I came home, I was like, oh my God, I gotta learn this. Like I've always been creative and always loved, you know, doing artsy things. So I went home, bought my first face painting kit with only. Yeah. What was it? 12 colors, two sponges, like only the very basics. And I had, yeah, so much fun, you know, watching YouTube videos, going online, trying to learn everything I could about face painting and just having so much fun with it. Yeah. It was amazing. I just couldn't stop learning more about face painting. It was like, yeah. An obsession <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:15:52 You became obsessed
Speaker 3 00:15:54 <laugh> yeah. I was like, oh my God. And it's funny cuz I've previously actually gotten like, like been obsessed with like different hobbies. Like I've been into knitting and I've been into, I don't know, that's all kinds of things, but I was just so fast get bored. I was like, oh, okay. I can't, I'm not bothered anymore. Like I can't do it anymore. But like with face painting, it's just like, I don't know. This ends endless love or I don't know how to say it. I'm just, I really love it. I really enjoy it. Like there's not one part of it. I don't like, so it's really my dream job. Yeah. I couldn't think of anything better to do.
Speaker 2 00:16:24 And are you doing it? Uh full-time now or part-time or uh, what's your focus doing it now in Denmark.
Speaker 3 00:16:31 So it's like still in the start phase. I haven't actually had like a business with it for that long, only like yeah. One or two years. So I'm doing it. Part-time and then I have, part-time a job as a substitute teacher at the local public school here where I live. So that's a good combination for me. And then yeah, I hope that in the future I can just have that my colorful world dream world. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:16:54 It's funny. It's because when I think about face painting here in Denmark, it's just something you go to a theme park or yeah. You go to a theme park or like a, a festival, but I don't really see people, you know, doing it at parties and stuff and it should be because like when I saw your post on Facebook, I was like, oh my daughter would so love that. And you know, I throw her birthday parties and the kids would love it. And I think it's just, it will grow once people know that it's an option to have.
Speaker 3 00:17:22 Yeah, I think so too. And like, yeah, I, I do actually have quite many of my customers are, are international. So I think there are kind of like, you know, coming from the USA or something. So they're kind of like used to it being more of a thing where there not so many teenage people, but I mean, there are a few who are aware of it and who also hire me for like baptisms. So yeah,
Speaker 2 00:17:42 It could be and for any occasions, but I think right now, no one thinks of it's like, oh, I should have a face painter here cuz now kids would love it. Yeah. But if that was becoming normal, like, and because it's not offered, like it's not like anyone's offering it. I've never seen anyone offer face painting until I saw your post. I was like, that is so creative <laugh> I was like, and you got so many people like responding to it and because it's so different. It's so like different here in Denmark, you don't hear people face painting. Uh, it's something that you just do when you go in a theme park.
Speaker 3 00:18:15 Yeah, you're right. It's so funny. Cuz when I'm like out like at a, at a job, um, and doing face painting and then sometimes people ask me, so like, can I book you for like a, a birthday party or something? And I'm like, of course, like, you know, but people are just not aware of it that addiction an option that I'm not just, you know, standing at different shopping centers or in different. Yeah. I don't know for different public events doing <inaudible> but that, you know, private people can also book me. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:18:40 Yeah. And it just, I think it's just a, a cultural thing. It's like something we don't think,
Speaker 3 00:18:44 I think, yeah. I
Speaker 2 00:18:46 Like Dan but Danes think about is um, yeah, I'm gonna have a face painter. It's more of
Speaker 3 00:18:52 Like, yeah. I think you're right.
Speaker 2 00:18:53 The, the gay man they, they think about in the coffee time. <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:18:58 Yeah. Oh yeah. Aw.
Speaker 2 00:19:01 How did you start, uh, this business? Did you just do it, like, did you start like part-time doing birthday parties or at the school? Uh, how did you just like start slowly?
Speaker 3 00:19:12 So like I did it in baby steps, so like I did it all in like really baby steps, very small steps. Cause I felt like going all in being, how do you call it? Self standing? English like being self-employed or yeah.
Speaker 2 00:19:26 Self-employed yeah, yeah. Entrepreneur startup.
Speaker 3 00:19:30 <inaudible> exactly like, yeah, it just seemed like I couldn't do it. So I was doing it very slowly. So yeah, it just started as a hobby and I was really learning, practicing, practicing, practicing. And then, you know, very slowly I started maybe having a few bookings in the weekends, private, private bookings. And then I was like, Ooh, I like this. Like I can actually earn money on this. I can actually, you know, earn money on really living out my dream and like having fun. So that's when I then like, yeah, went more professional and got a CVR number. So like I registered my business and, but it was still all, very, very few bookings and I still had my full-time job as a teacher and then I got pregnant with most second child and I went on mater to leave and I was like, thinking, okay, now I have time.
Speaker 3 00:20:15 Like I have a baby I'm at home all the time. I can really focus on my business and push it and see where it's going. So I did that. And at the same time, I also signed up at a professional face spin course at a, from a very, very skilled, uh, face pain app to learn really everything there is to know about face painting. So yeah. And like, yeah, my maternity leave was like going on and I was doing that and I could see the end of my maternity leave coming close. And I was thinking, Ooh, I didn't feel too good about it. I was thinking, oh no, like what to do. You know, I had a, obviously a dream of like quitting my job and just doing this. But I was like, no, I can't do it. You know, like my secure job, I can't say no to that.
Speaker 3 00:20:52 Now if I'm still in the startup and now there's Coronas going on. Cause it was just when Corona had, you know, hit Denmark and the world, but then yeah. Yeah. Things went and I talked with the husband, we were talking about, okay, what do we do? And can I take this chance? Like how does it look? And we were saying, yeah, I, I just gotta try that, give it some time, give it a year, see where it's leading. Like do people actually book me? Can I actually make some money on it? And yeah. So that's what I did the year had passed, even though there was Corona, I still felt like it was actually going pretty. Okay. And yeah, so that's just, how's been going. And also it was a really great opportunity cause I, it meant that I could have my son at home for a long amount of time. So he only started in daycare when he was nearly two years old. So the whole time he was at home with me and I could like, you know, when he was like nap or something, I could like yeah. Call potential clients and ask them if they would want to book me or work on my social media or yeah. Do all things related to business. So there was a really good combination for me actually.
Speaker 2 00:21:57 How did you find clients?
Speaker 3 00:22:01 Like, I'm not sure if I did it the correct way because I, I felt actually was very tango tuning, but I did it the old fashioned way cuz all of the social media in Google and I don't know what all of this is called. I'm like not a very techy person. So I just like it with old fashioned. So I just call people, introduced myself, asked them if they could be interested in hiring a face painter. And if I'm allowed to send them some more information about myself per email and that's actually how I got most of my first clients.
Speaker 2 00:22:30 Well that's what you, I feel like that's what you have to do. You kind of just have to like hit the ground running cuz people are not gonna come to you. So you are doing it right. You're doing it right in your own way.
Speaker 3 00:22:41 <laugh> yeah. It was just like slow, you know, like finding people who you could potentially call and then people are maybe not picking up and then sending the name email, then people are getting back and then you needing to contact them again. So, you know, it is kind of like, yeah, <laugh>, it's, it's a bit slow, but I mean, it, I feel like it worked out for me cuz I've really found some customers that why are some clients that way who are now just returning and coming back to me and who I yeah. Work together with on a more or less regular basis. So that's just amazing both for them and for me to have that. Yeah. Yeah. That thing, I don't know
Speaker 2 00:23:13 That the business. Yeah. Well you're getting referrals. You're getting your name out because right. Uh, doing that they'll think of, oh I have a, a person, uh, that can do face painting. That could be another activity for this uh, event.
Speaker 3 00:23:27 Definitely. That's a big yeah. Help for me. The people refer each other and yeah. Also now it's yeah.
Speaker 2 00:23:34 Versus this event once a year in bill and it's for that Halloween, uh,
Speaker 3 00:23:40 Festival, when I started, I did it, but just for, just for fun. And then I, I think the years after was it canceled?
Speaker 2 00:23:48 They only did it last year, but for the last two years it was canceled because of Corona. Oh really? I went to it last year at the villain library. Yeah. But they said this year was kind of not so many people, but the last two years it was really packed.
Speaker 3 00:24:02 Oh really? Wow.
Speaker 2 00:24:04 Yeah. But I'm pretty sure this year because Halloween's actually getting bigger and bigger in Denmark. Yeah. You're right. I don't know if you've noticed.
Speaker 3 00:24:10 Yeah, it is. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 00:24:12 And I'm very happy cuz coming from us. Oh yeah. Halloween's such a big deal. And I was so upset when I came here nine years ago and it was like, non-existing, I'm like, what is this? This
Speaker 3 00:24:23 Is not, what is this place? Not
Speaker 2 00:24:25 Fun. Yeah. What is this? And so I make it a big deal with my kids Halloween. Like I do Halloween party for their friends and stuff like that. I make it a big deal cuz it's a big deal to me even though it's, you know, eating candy all day. But I just think it's such a fun little festival that you can have with your kids and everyone. I know they have F alone, but Halloween's different. Cause isn't just scary.
Speaker 3 00:24:46 Yeah, you're right. Is cool.
Speaker 2 00:24:49 So definitely Halloween would be a big, big time probably for you to get booked up.
Speaker 3 00:24:55 It is. Yeah. It's funny cuz like there are some high times and some low times and you know, Halloween and first alone and actually also the summer holiday, July are just very busy times for me. And then there are times where there's just not so much happening, but I mean, it's also nice having a combination. So it's not just busy, busy, busy all year <laugh> so yeah.
Speaker 2 00:25:16 How did you find the courage? You know, you live abroad, you speak a different language. Cultural is different. Like how did you find the courage just to say, you know what, it, I'm going to try to do this business, uh, and to see where it goes.
Speaker 3 00:25:31 I mean, to be fair, I didn't have the courage because yeah. I mean, being, being an entrepreneur was always just such a big thing. I like had this wow, great idea of how it would be to become one. So I just never dared that this would ever be me. Like, you know, I'm just not that personal, but yeah. When there was a maternity leave and I've been, yeah, not coming to my work for like, obviously it's a month because I was at home with my baby. It was like kind of like easier seeing it a bit further away. And I was just thinking, well it's now. And never because once I'm back at my work and you know, working every day from, I don't know, eight to four and then picking up children and you know, I'm like back into the old rhythm, like I won't just step back and be like, Hey, you know what, I need a, a change. I wanna do something differently. So I feel like that was just perfect timing for me to actually, you know, step back and think about, okay, what do I actually wanna do with my life? What do I wanna have is job? How do I wanna structure my everyday life? Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:26:26 Also I had one question cause I'm also in sales. So for my normal job, ah
Speaker 3 00:26:32 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:26:32 For your first phone call, how nervous were you?
Speaker 3 00:26:36 Incredibly nervous. Like yeah. Insane. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:26:39 Then how did you do the call then? Like what were your,
Speaker 3 00:26:43 You know what I actually wrote down? I was like, okay, what will I say? So I wrote down a little post-it notes, so okay. I'm gonna say hi. And then my name is and what I can offer them. And I just like wrote down little notes. I would then be able to know what I'm saying. Yeah. But yeah. I mean the first few calls weren't that great. And it was yeah, not going too well, but I mean, yeah,
Speaker 2 00:27:04 You just need to get, get used to it. Right. You're probably sweating <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:27:08 Yeah. It was like, oh my God, actually, this is tough,
Speaker 2 00:27:12 But now it just comes naturally. It's like getting over that first call or second or third call, then it just, it's kind of like easier. Right. Just to,
Speaker 3 00:27:22 It is
Speaker 2 00:27:23 Doing the calls and everything. Definitely. But I I'm in sales. So I know when it's just that first call, you're just like, who do I, can I do this? Like what do I talk about? I have like a notebook full of stuff too. So I also have I write,
Speaker 3 00:27:36 Ah, really
Speaker 2 00:27:36 Are. Yeah. So you're not the only one. I have things that I'm like down. I'm like, Hey, this is what I'm gonna say. And
Speaker 3 00:27:44 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:27:44 And sometimes I just blank out and just blah, <laugh> just say whatever comes in my head
Speaker 3 00:27:50 <laugh> yeah. But that's how it goes. You know, sometimes you just gotta like go with the flow and see also what the other person's saying and how they're responding. If they're interested. If they're not,
Speaker 2 00:27:59 They hang up on you. Who's just
Speaker 3 00:28:01 Listening. Don't <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:28:04 Solicitating me
Speaker 3 00:28:06 <laugh> oh no. But I feel like most people, at least the one I've talked to are actually in general, very friendly. Like even though they're not interested, maybe then they're still like, you know, saying that the budget is not really that high or they're not really interested because of other reasons or whatever. Yeah. So that's at least nice. I feel like
Speaker 2 00:28:24 This goes to my next question. When you call and also talk to the client, do you do it in Danish and how comfortable are you in your Danish now? Especially, you know, coming from a different country.
Speaker 3 00:28:37 Yeah. I, I speak Danish all the time when I talk to more customers actually in clients and I'm pretty comfortable doing so if now spoken to English for yeah. Eight or nine years, and I'm also speaking to English with my husband, cuz he's Danish. So I'm pretty comfortable with it. Like I do know I make my mistakes, but that's just how it's always gonna be. And you know, I can't change it cuz the English is not Mara mother tongue and neither is English and that's okay. That's just how it is. Yeah. And people can understand me. I can communicate with people. So that's the most important thing for me. And then if I don't know a word for something specifically then okay. Then I gotta find another way. How to yeah. Phrase myself. But in general I think it's actually fine. And people then always ask, so I can hear where are you coming from?
Speaker 3 00:29:22 And then I'm like saying yeah, from Austrian, you know, people are very nice about it and friendly about it. And actually just curious to hear more about me where I'm from and yeah. Also sometimes how I ended up in Denmark. So basically really nice. And also the kids, like once yeah. Had a talk with the child and then they asked me where I'm from. And then I said, well I'm from Austria. And then the child actually asked me if I'm driving back and forth every day I was like, no, I like live here. <laugh> yeah. Yeah. These kids like, you know, kids are just like, yeah, they just stay what they think. And they're just like really sweet and innocent actually. So yeah. We sometimes have funny conversations. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:29:58 It's really funny talking with kids because they just say what comes out of their head. It's just like, at least you speak Danish. I, my Dan is very broken and so they're like VAA do and also with my daughter. Oh, but what did your mom say? <laugh> oh, oh man. Yeah. My Danish is, is not there even though I've been living here for so long, but when I moved here, my job is strictly English. So that's why
Speaker 3 00:30:27 I haven't really. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:30:28 Yeah. I understand Danish. I can speak Danish, but not like comfortable
Speaker 3 00:30:34 <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:30:34 Yeah. And I think that's why it was a lot of entrepreneurs that's, you know, international here that it stops them from doing anything because of the language. So for you, it came very easily. So that, and I think you're accepted a bit more because you're doing it in Danish and they know you're from another country. So it's like a little bit more respect also. That's
Speaker 3 00:30:54 Very right.
Speaker 2 00:30:55 Do you feel that way that they they're just like, oh man, this is amazing.
Speaker 3 00:30:58 I think so like if never really had any like, you know, business client or even private clients have, I don't know, say anything about it or have any problem with it. They've just always been very normal about it. But I also feel like that there are now so many internationals living in Denmark and you can't really. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, as soon as you go to belong or via, or really any place, that's a bit bigger, you'll just meet people from different countries, from different cultures, speaking different languages. And I actually feel like the internal are pretty, I don't know, accommodating about it. Let me think so. Yeah. I feel like,
Speaker 2 00:31:37 Yeah. I, I feel like here it's, it's so international now. Like I remember 10 years ago, it wasn't like this diverse
Speaker 3 00:31:45 Ah, yeah.
Speaker 2 00:31:45 Cause I lived here for almost nine years now and I, I just realized I'm like, wow, I'm just like, this is so different. Also the food variety, like it was very bland when I first moved here. I lost a lot of weight when I first moved to Denmark.
Speaker 3 00:31:59 Oh no.
Speaker 2 00:32:00 But then I discovered the cakes, so it kind of like,
Speaker 3 00:32:04 Oh, oh yeah. Oh no. Oh yeah. You're so right. Oh my God. The cakes. How could I forgot about that? It's so funny. Cuz living here, you just completely forget about like the first or ISIS, you know, forget about the first impressions. Like I was mesmerized by the bakeries and about how many different sorts of like Al and spend out and all these things they had. Like I would, I would go by and I would like take a picture cause I was like so amazed by it. Yeah. And now it's just like normal, but yeah, it is.
Speaker 2 00:32:33 I still take photos of it.
Speaker 3 00:32:34 <laugh>
Speaker 2 00:32:35 <laugh>
Speaker 3 00:32:36 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:32:37 And I think cuz coming from the us there's well, Los Angeles mainly like bakeries don't really exist really. Okay. So when I came here and saw bakeries, I'm like, what is this?
Speaker 3 00:32:48 Wow. That's a huge shock then. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:32:52 Yeah. So it was a very big change. Who is your biggest inspiration and gave you the motivation to just take this journey, you know, as an entrepreneur in Denmark.
Speaker 3 00:33:01 So I think it was mostly my husband who, you know, supported me and also said that I could, you know, take this chance now and see where it leads me also on the yeah. Economical side that he can, you know, support the family and that, you know yeah. It was all still kind of like safe for me to start out as an entrepreneur and on a more psychological level. <laugh> um, actually my mom who's just always been super supportive. Yeah. And who always just said, you know, I can do whatever I want and I'm graded and I'm sweet and I'm smart and you know, just like really pushing that and like saying, yeah, I should just try that. I should just do that. And she's sure that I'll be fine and it'll going great. So yeah,
Speaker 2 00:33:48 That's really good that you have that kind of support. And I feel, I feel like that is needed because if you don't have that, it's like, it's only you trying to, you know, make it with the business and then also try to
Speaker 3 00:34:00 Prove exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:34:02 Whoever doesn't support you, that you can do it. And it's very difficult.
Speaker 3 00:34:06 So very thankful for that.
Speaker 2 00:34:08 What are some of the steps you took do this business and also, you know, since you've been doing it for, uh, a couple, a couple years now or two, two years. Yeah,
Speaker 3 00:34:19 Yeah. You're right. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:34:20 What is one thing, you know, now that you wish you knew when you first started?
Speaker 3 00:34:24 Okay. Two things, cuz I've looked at the questions before and I was thinking about two things and the first thing is that it's gonna be a roller scientist, just how it is. So like there'll be days where you're thinking, oh my God, what am I doing? This is never gonna work. This is shit. I'm shit. And yeah. And then I don't know, a few hours later, maybe the next day you'll be like, Hey, I fixed it. Like this is going great. Like everything's been amazing. And then a few days passing again and then it's like, oh my God accountants, isn't that what it's called? Yeah. Like landscape accountants. Oh my God. How do you do this? Like, where's the received from the shop I just had earlier and it's just gonna go like this all the time and you you're finding an obstacle and you're thinking, oh my God, I will never be able to fix this. And then you're actually finding a way and you're thinking, wow, I'm invincible. Like, I'm great. So yeah, this is just how it's gonna go. Like I've done this now for yeah. Two years and it it's still, it's still happening on a yeah. Nearly daily basis. So yeah. I think that's just the life of an entrepreneur.
Speaker 2 00:35:22 The rollercoaster of emotions.
Speaker 3 00:35:25 Yeah. Really. I mean, it's fun and I love it, but it's also a bit tough cuz you're just alone and you don't really have a colleague. You can just talk to like, if something is hard or there's a problem and you can't fix it, like it's just, just you like, you're the CEO, you're the accountants. You're the sales man. You're the social media manager. You're like, you just, you have many different hats on and it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but that's okay. Which also leads me to many point, which is that it's okay to get help and input from others and they can both be paid if you can afford it. But it's also just like free advice or free help is also amazing. The different Kauna are offering. I think all the Kauna are offering help, free help for startups, like where you can meet with somebody with a like qui and they can give you advice and you know, tell you who you can talk to if you have some specific questions and I've done that.
Speaker 3 00:36:24 And there was, and I still do that and that such a help. And there are also, as you already mentioned before, there are different Facebook groups where you can talk to other entrepreneurs, like both, all kinds of entrepreneurs, but also like for example, just female entrepreneurs. So yeah, that's a huge help because you just don't know everything and you don't need to know everything and you also don't need to learn everything yourself. Like there are people who's like walk the path before you and they can help you. And most of the time, you know, people wanna help you. So yeah. Still to date, like just this. Yeah. I, I reached out to other people asking about my workshop costs something that yeah. I was having a hard time with and then there was just a person answering and helping me and that's just, yeah. Fantastic.
Speaker 2 00:37:11 Just ask for help basically, if
Speaker 3 00:37:13 Exactly. Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 2 00:37:15 And you know, as an entrepreneur, a startup is sometimes you don't ask for help because you're expected to know everything and do everything.
Speaker 3 00:37:24 Exactly. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:37:26 But that's nice to know that you said that the commune has these support system. Can you, what is it called? Uh, so if there's an audience, that's a someone in the audience, you know, looking for something and didn't know, you know, because my audience more international. So some of these internationals just moved here and wouldn't even know that they have support from the commune to start a business.
Speaker 3 00:37:50 I think if you like Google the name of your, and then together with like, so like for me would be bill, bill and KU, and then Y like startup world cuing in some community even have like, uh, growth houses or like startup houses where there are like, it's like this bigger thing. And they also facilitate different courses in workshops and most of the time also for free. So that's yeah, that, that's not really an option in the commun where I live, but I know in cope for example, or I'm sure I was in all who's like in the pickup community have like, even more options for startups, like free options. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:38:28 And I think it's so amazing that, you know, the commune and the, you know, Denmark Denmark's so good about helping startups. There's always startup like events to help businesses grow. Yeah. And so it's to hear that it's not just in Copenhagen, but in, you know, in the smaller communities that other internationals live in. Yeah.
Speaker 3 00:38:49 And I also do wanna say like, cuz when you do have a like business and you wanna get a, a CBA like a number for business and then you, you know, get pay taxes and all that. But I think I'm pretty sure that there are also many international guides as to how to get started. And you know, if you're in doubt, if you don't know how to, you know, do something, then just call them. Like, I've talked several times with sketch the Danish authorities and I've always just met some very friendly, very helpful people who are actually trying to help you, if you have a problem or a question. So, you know, in the start I was like, you know, a bit like afraid of doing something wrong or like people maybe not, you know, wanting to help you, but all I've ever really seen is people being very supportive and very helpful. So that's yeah. Nice.
Speaker 2 00:39:34 Yeah. That's really nice support to have.
Speaker 3 00:39:37 Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:39:38 Any tips for the audience that are thinking of starting a business in Denmark or they're kind of on the fence about it, you know, don't really know how to start or even just to even think about, you know, like your hobby, you're making it into a business. Like they have a hobby and they wanna make it into business. Any tips for them to just kind of get out of their comfort zone and just do it.
Speaker 3 00:40:00 Exactly. I think you should just do it, you know, go for it. Maybe start small. So like one of the very first things I've done when I, you know, after I started Facebook, I was thinking, Hmm, maybe potentially this could lead into something more. I made a Facebook page and also an Instagram account where I just posted, you know, pictures and different content also just for people to find me and to maybe have a little community together. So yeah, I think that's a good idea to start with your social media channels because that just takes time to grow. And then you can also test out your ideas, see, you know, are people interested in it? What are people actually asking about? You know, do they have some questions which could then lead you closer to what you actually wanna offer or what you wanna sell?
Speaker 2 00:40:46 Well, that's a really good tip and thank you. I know it's late in the evening and also you have kids and I wanna have some me time and I can totally understand that, but I'll just, I wanna ask one last question. And this is actually for my blog that I do for fun is for internationals to go on, on my website to just find kid friendly places, you know, becoming a parent. I realize that kid friendly places are so go to and very important in parents' life.
Speaker 3 00:41:16 <laugh> oh yeah.
Speaker 2 00:41:17 I'd like to share, you know, what are some tips that, you know, a mom or a dad can go their favorite place to take their kids, uh, for anywhere in billing or anyone in Denmark that you would recommend for, you know, a new income or parent coming in and they can take their kids to, you know, either burn energy or if they have a newborn baby that they can just be comfortable in. Do you have any two places that is your go to or would recommend for any international parent?
Speaker 3 00:41:47 Yeah, so like to be fair, we don't really go that many places because if we go somewhere, we would just like go locally, you know, to playground or something. But if I should recommend something, I would obviously say leg land, we have a season card there and we go there often. And it's just a great place. Both from a little son who's two years old, but also a bigger one. Who's five. He just loves being there. And if you're off season, it's actually also not the busy, which is in, but if you're in the high season and there are many people coming, you can really be very busy and then you also have to wait in queues for a long amount of time, which is not so fun. And then we like to go to a place called inhale. That's like an animal park. It's like small and cozy and it's outside and there's also like a trampoline and you can buy food there and there are horses and it's yeah. A really nice small place. And it's also not expensive the entrance. So yeah, I can recommend that. Where
Speaker 2 00:42:42 Is that at?
Speaker 3 00:42:43 So like south of where I live, like between Boba and the motorway, it's like pretty close to the motorway, like in, you know what, I'm just gonna find it <laugh> I actually dunno is I'm so bad at geographic.
Speaker 2 00:42:57 The funny thing is these are places that like, I love sharing because these are like hidden gems that I would never know of. Or if I'm looking for someone to go, oh, it's like, I, I heard Victoria talk about this, you know, cozy place, let's go there, you know, take a road trip or something. And this is why I actually created this website is because these places that you would never really know until, you know, someone recommends it to you. And I'm just trying to house everything in one website where any parent can go in there and say animal part and there's some here and they go to it or something like that. And that's the reason why I created that blog slash I call it a parent directory page.
Speaker 3 00:43:36 <laugh> yeah, it's great idea. I just looked it up and it's in a town called <inaudible>, which is basically exactly in the middle of between SPI and calling. And it's also, as I said, really close to the motorway and yeah, it's a animal and nature park. Yeah. It's really sweet. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:43:52 And those are the best because they always have the goat petting zoo and my son just yeah. Chases the goat. And when I'm, I'm afraid one day one, goat's just gonna kick him because just chases him. Oh no.
Speaker 3 00:44:03 <laugh> uh, they do also have like, uh, bunnies and like guine pigs, and you can actually hop into them like into their little yeah. Area where they're living in and you can like pet them and carry them and you can give them food and it's yeah. Really nice. Well,
Speaker 2 00:44:19 Thank you for sharing that. And I'll definitely put on the website and tag you yeah. On that. We're gonna wrap this conversation up again. Thank you so much for being a part of this podcast. Any last thing you wanna tell the audience about yourself or about face painting or a tip or anything?
Speaker 3 00:44:37 I do wanna share one face painting tip <laugh>. Yeah, because I often have parents come to me and complain about that. The face painting isn't very great, or that they're not happy with how it looks. And actually two tips. First thing is just practice, practice, practice, practice makes perfect. And that's also true. And then the second thing is invest in some quality face paint. I feel like so many people, when they wanna get a face paint, they just go to the first shop they see, and they just buy the first face paint they see at a good price and they'll be thinking, yeah, this is gonna do a good job. But the thing is that with face BA it's really quality and price, or is that how we say it goes together? Isn't that how I say it? Like, yeah. So like the quality
Speaker 2 00:45:19 And
Speaker 3 00:45:19 Price. Exactly. So like, if you do buy a more expensive face BA kit and you know, invest in some quality, you will just get so much better results. Like I can promise that. So yeah.
Speaker 2 00:45:30 Yeah. I'm definitely that person that just buys whatever and it's like 50 Croner <laugh> and you're like dragging it on your kids' face and it's not coming on. So you have to like so many times.
Speaker 3 00:45:42 Yeah, exactly. Yeah. I, I hear that. So, so often and like, or also, yeah, then it's a covering or then it's hard to wash off or, and this just a shame because yeah.
Speaker 2 00:45:53 Or they break out, forget a rash.
Speaker 3 00:45:55 Yeah, exactly. There's just so much stuff that can happen. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:45:58 Well thank you so much.
Speaker 3 00:46:00 Yeah. But thank you for having me again. It was such a pleasure. Yeah.
Speaker 2 00:46:03 Thank you. And I'll have, I'll have everything. I have Victoria's information on the website and the links and her Instagram. And also if you want book her for any parties, you can get all my website. They'll I'll link to her. So you can get in contact with her. Thank you so much again. And hopefully you'll be my future podcast more
Speaker 3 00:46:23 Often. Oh, I would love that. Thank you so much. And have a good evening.
Speaker 2 00:46:26 Yes, you too. Bye
Speaker 2 00:46:28 How'd you guys like that interview, wasn't it so interesting in how she turned her passion for face painting into a business. And now she's just really doing the steps to make it a real business here in Denmark, you know, doing the calls, reaching out to people, even though her day is she's really, really good. You know, she's almost fluent on it, but still, like she mentioned on the interview, that first call was super nerve-wracking and then after she started doing more and more calls to future clients, it got easier. So if you are thinking about starting a business in Denmark and with her tips and also, you know, listening to some of my podcasts that just try it out, doesn't hurt to try a new business. Yes, you are living in a new country. You know, maybe a language is a barrier, you know, starting a business or maybe you don't have the support system, but just like just what Rebecca's doing.
Speaker 2 00:47:18 Start small, do events or do it here and there. And see if you got any traction and then, you know, maybe do it a little bit more full time just to see where it is is of course I don't recommend just quitting your job and you know, or quitting, whatever you're doing to do something that you're passionate about, but just try it out and see where it goes. And also I hope that these stories and these, this podcast can really help you, you know, get the courage to start a business or just, you know, get outta your comfort zone, even though you're living in a new country. And I, you know, for me, I'm still trying to learn and I'm still trying to get outta my comfort zone with know this podcasting. And also with my kid lead parenting directory, you know, I had big dreams for that, but realize, you know, I need to start small.
Speaker 2 00:48:06 I wanted to take over the world, but right now I'm starting in Denmark asking my guests where their favorite places are to visit in Denmark. And you know, I'm just gonna see where it goes because yes, I love my full-time job right now, but I also do love podcasting. I love being with my family. So I'm all doing this for fun. So if you're out there, you know, contemplating or thinking of starting a business, just try it out, start small and see where it goes. And yeah, that's like what my tip is, you know, especially living abroad, it's not easy living abroad, you know, have to find friends, find your network and then to start a business on top of that. And then also if you have family, a family with small kids on top of that, being a parent, it's just a lot to take in.
Speaker 2 00:48:50 So start small, find what your passion is and take it from there. And also we all mentioned on the interview that there's a support system. You know, there's Facebook groups, there's communes that offer help depending on where you're at. So there's a lot out there that can really help you find your concept and really find the courage to start your business. So I hope you guys enjoyed this podcast. It's a bit late now here while I'm recording this, but I'm gonna still keep, you know, podcasting here and there, but I hope you guys enjoyed this one. I, my next one's going to be coming out soon too. So please enjoy this one. Reach out to Victoria, if you want your face painted, or if you wanna follow her on her Instagram and just, or if you have a party going on or event and need someone to do something fun or the event definitely reach out to Victoria and she will, you know, you can do a booking through her. Anyways. Thank you so much. Follow me on Instagram. On my TikTok. Also check out my website, my parent directory website, julie.com. If you're looking for any ideas to do things with your kids. So talk to you guys soon. Bye.
