Interview translated from: Portal R7 - Mullheres Positivas
Our Positive Woman is Tati Paes, a true inspiration for women around the world. A consultant specializing in expatriates and residing in Spain, Tati began her international journey in childhood when she moved from Brazil to Singapore 28 years ago. Throughout her career, she has traveled across four continents and accumulated 16 years of experience as an HR executive in large multinationals. During her journey, Tati not only faced but overcame the challenges of reinventing herself abroad, especially when immigrating again with two young children during the pandemic. Inspired by these experiences, she founded a consultancy dedicated to easing international transitions for other expatriates, ensuring they don't face the same difficulties.
How did your career begin?
My career began with a degree in Business Administration and a specialization in entrepreneurship from Babson College in the U.S., an institution renowned for developing entrepreneurial leaders. After graduation, I worked on projects at an advertising agency in Miami, founded by a Cuban woman in the 70s. After 11 years abroad, I returned to Brazil and faced a cultural shock when joining a trainee program in the financial market in Curitiba. This challenge sparked my interest in human development and led me to the Human Resources field, where I built a solid career. In 2013, an International MBA at IE Business School in Madrid confirmed my passion for working with different cultures and in the people area.
After 16 years in large corporations, my husband's expatriation took us to Paris with our two small children, amidst the pandemic. Just a year later, we moved to Barcelona. It was then that I decided to transform my life and professional experience into a business that makes a difference. Thus, Interoots Consulting was born, with the purpose of supporting expatriate families, helping them overcome the challenges I faced, and ensuring their international journeys are not only successful but also deeply enriching. Today, I realize that every chapter of my life prepared me to be where I am now, doing what I love and impacting lives around the world.
How is Interoots Consulting's business model structured?
Interoots Consulting's mission is to maximize return on investment in international assignments, a crucial task considering that almost half of expatriates do not meet their expatriation expectations, and 70% of these cases are due to family maladaptation — an often overlooked aspect in international transitions.
To address this challenge, Interoots operates on three strategic fronts, aligned with current market trends and needs:
Strategic Mentoring: Our mentoring program is designed to support partners of expatriate executives of any nationality, using the "Roots of Life." This exclusive framework was developed to assess and strengthen the key pillars of an expatriate's life, ensuring more effective and sustainable adaptation.
Transition Consulting: Our consulting focuses on families moving to Barcelona, offering strategic guidance in choosing neighborhoods and schools, always aligned with the family's profile and priorities. This service is essential to smooth adaptation and ensure families can make the most of their international experience.
Connection Ecosystem: I founded the Raízes community in Barcelona, aiming to connect and empower Brazilian women, promoting their personal and professional development. This connection ecosystem is designed to create a supportive environment where networking and collaboration are encouraged
For the coming year, we plan to expand with corporate training for expatriates, an area with great potential to further enhance the success of corporate expatriations. This expansion aims not only to optimize international transitions but also to strengthen companies' ability to manage global talent effectively and inclusively.
What was the most challenging moment in your career?
One of the most challenging moments in my career was undoubtedly the transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. My transition to a new country was challenging, but my resilience and adaptability allowed me to overcome these obstacles and build a global network of partners and experts. It was from this initiative that Raízes in Barcelona was born, a space where I connect inspiring women, promoting mutual growth and opportunities. This project not only helped me face the challenges of transition but also became a platform to empower other women on their own journeys.
How do you manage to balance your personal life with your corporate/entrepreneurial life?
Balance is a fundamental principle in the "Roots of Life," the framework I developed to harmonize the pillars of expatriates' lives. I strive to consciously dedicate time to different areas of my life, adjusting my focus as needed. Even facing the challenge of not having a constant support network and with a husband who travels frequently, I maintain this balance by adopting a holistic and flexible view, adjusting my priorities whenever necessary. This approach not only allows me to achieve a healthy balance but is also a practice I teach my clients, helping them achieve fulfillment and success in their own journeys.
What is your biggest dream?
Currently, I am living one of my biggest dreams: enjoying my family, dedicating myself to work that I love, and helping people thrive, all in a city I'm passionate about. In the future, my dream is to expand Interoots to impact even more families around the world, ensuring their international experiences are not only successful but also deeply transformative. A special aspect of this dream is creating a global support network that empowers expatriate women to be the pilots of their journeys, helping them overcome unique challenges and flourish in their personal and professional lives. I want every woman we touch to have the confidence and resources to lead their own stories abroad, inspiring others to do the same.
What is your greatest achievement?
Initially, my achievements were tangible, like being accepted into a prestigious college, a trainee program, or a job promotion. However, today I see that my greatest achievement is achieving an authentic balance between personal and professional life, dedicating myself to work that brings me fulfillment while enjoying every moment with my family. This achievement is the result of focus, determination, and commitment, which have always guided my journey. It is this harmony between professional fulfillment and personal happiness that I consider my greatest achievement!
7. Book, movie, and woman you admire (cannot be your mother).
Book: "Death Is a Day Worth Living" by Ana Cláudia Quintana Arantes is a book that truly moved me. It offers a beautiful reflection on what truly matters in life.
Movie/Series: I'm not much into movies, but "Emily in Paris" was a series that really stood out to me, especially given the context in which I watched it. I was living in Paris in the midst of the pandemic, and the series became a fun and necessary escape. Besides showcasing cultural differences well, it provided me with those relaxing moments I needed, especially dealing with the challenge of being a newly expatriated mother with two small children.
Woman: I am inspired by several incredible women, especially entrepreneurial mothers and successful businesswomen like Fabi Saad Niemeyer , Beta Whately , and Mica Rocha. I also admire the energy of Camilia Amaral, who is experiencing the adventure of being an expatriate. This year, Fabi Justus has been a great source of inspiration for me, with her strength, faith, and positivity. These women demonstrate how it's possible to balance professional ambitions with motherhood!
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