Name: Heather Markel
Title: Culture Transition Strategist
Business Name: Culture Transition Coaching
Client Testimonials: http://culturetransition.com/Testimonials.html
Niche/Specialties: I work with Expats and Accompanying spouses on crossing cultures, with a focus on starting a new business, and relocating to New York City.
Expat Experience: I have lived, worked, and studied in France, England, Switzerland and Italy, and traveled all over the world, always in awe of foreign cultures (and sometimes overwhelmed!). There is something magical in the discovery and fear that goes along with transitioning cultures that is a wonderful (ok, sometimes difficult) adjustment process.
Languages Spoken: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese….and let’s not forget Jibberish!
Life Experience: I have almost 20 years corporate experience in Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. I have always needed to be doing at least 2 or 3 things at once, so outside of this I started a business making handbags and jewelry – Heather’s Handbags – where I get to express my creativity. I am also an Advanced Reiki Practitioner and greatly enjoy bringing this wonderful modality to everyone I can.
Accomplishments: In addition to becoming a Certified Professional Coach several years ago (and I literally jumped for joy and screamed with excitement when it happened!) I am honored to serve as Secretary/Membership Director for the New York City chapter of the International Coach Federation this year. I also am greatly enjoying my work with Career Gear where I work with men with difficult pasts to transition into the workplace with job searching and interview strategies. And, I’m very excited to be one of several speakers at this year’s FIGT (Families in Global Transition) conference in March where I will be discussing strategies on How to Start a New Business. OK, and let me not be remiss in saying how excited I was to figure out all the nuances of WordPress to create this new website! THAT was an accomplishment in itself. 
What I Love About Working in This Niche: There is an instant bond for me with anyone who has crossed cultures. It requires no words, there is a deep, and rich shared life experience that is very meaningful for me. It’s like we speak our own special language and just “get” one another. I also think the experience of crossing cultures successfully – whether once or several times – leads people to have a certain faith in themselves so that even when times are tough, there is an inner knowing that they still believe in themselves and will accomplish the goals they set forth.
Coaching Style: Playful, intuitive, outside the box, and creative. Where coaching is concerned I connect deeply with my clients. When intuition strikes, I bring it into the coaching process, and where brainstorming comes into play, I open doors for clients with infinite ideas and possibilities to accomplish their goals.
Favorite Coaching Tool: At the moment, the Points of You Coaching Game. It is such fun, and really useful for bringing clients outside the barriers their minds create and into a more imaginative and creative space.
Why Clients Choose Me As Their Coach: I’ve heard comments from, “I love your energy and how you are involved in so many things” to “I always feel charged up and motivated after I talk to you!” Most clients seem to enjoy my expertise, my excitement, and my belief in them accomplishing their goals.
A Tip for My Niche: When starting a business GO FOR IT. Try not to get caught up in the trap of “I can’t network till I have my website up” “I can’t give anyone my website address till it’s perfect” and any of those other slogans we create to keep ourselves from going out in the world and just doing it.
Contact Details
Email: heather@culturetransition.com
Facebook: Culture Transition Coaching
LinkedIn: Culture Transition Coaching
Twitter: expatconnector
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