In the past decade, the HR industry has experienced rapid growth, spurred by the emergence of Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions that have fueled the development of a new economy and the potential for greater diversity within the field. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this transformation, disrupting established work practices and prompting a significant shift in HR processes. As a result, non-traditional HR solutions have gained popularity for their flexibility and ability to adapt to evolving organizational needs.
Emily Rogers, the founder of Expat Parenting Abroad, is among the dynamic business leaders driving innovation in the industry. Through Expat Parenting Abroad, Rogers leverages her personal and professional expertise in Human Resources to provide coaching support for assignee partners. Let’s delve into an exclusive interview with Emily Rogers.
Could you share some insights about your journey so far?
My career path has predominantly been in Human Resources, but as my family relocated across Asia, maintaining a traditional career became increasingly challenging. Instead, I dedicated my time and efforts to volunteer work with charities, networking organizations, and schools. However, constantly reinventing myself with each move became unsustainable. It was through my encounter with Amel Derragui at Tandem Nomads that I found inspiration to establish my own portable business – one that capitalizes on my professional and personal experiences and can thrive regardless of my geographical location.
What were the initial obstacles you encountered?
Like many business owners, I faced a steep learning curve when starting out. Navigating technologies, marketing strategies, client services, and weekly content creation presented significant challenges. Despite moments of feeling overwhelmed, hearing clients express gratitude and witnessing positive transformations reassures me that the journey is worthwhile.
I perceive each challenge as an opportunity for growth – a chance to acquire new knowledge, experiment with different approaches, and enhance my skill set. Embracing challenges as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks allows me to remain focused and continue progressing.
What is the driving force behind your sustained success?
Success can be measured in various ways. While accolades hold value, my greatest fulfillment stems from the positive impact I’ve made on my clients’ lives. My passion lies in empowering parents living abroad, aiding their smooth transition, and ensuring their families flourish. With numerous international assignments facing failure annually, there are significant economic and emotional costs involved. By helping families thrive and preventing such failures, I consider myself successful.
Expat Parenting Abroad focuses on providing coaching and support through two primary programs, each offering unique solutions in the market. The first program, Families Thriving Abroad, offers a comprehensive step-by-step process to assist families during their transition periods, whether it’s their first or fifth move or repatriating. Unlike other relocation experts, Expat Parenting Abroad specializes in supporting parents to ensure their families thrive, addressing consistent challenges faced by families in various sectors such as the armed services, diplomatic core, or private companies.
The second program, Kickstart Life, caters to individuals seeking to revitalize their lives by rediscovering their passion, drive, or direction. This program offers personalized support to help individuals identify their goals, whether it’s reigniting their career, learning new skills, volunteering, or starting their own business. Expat Parenting Abroad distinguishes itself by providing guidance and encouragement to individuals who may feel lost or unsure about their next steps, helping them discover their potential and take action.
In addition to these core programs, Emily Rogers offers tailored coaching programs addressing a wide range of individual needs. From supporting parents of teenagers navigating identity questions to assisting working mothers seeking career advancement or single mothers aiming to strengthen connections, Expat Parenting Abroad offers personalized coaching to address diverse challenges. The common thread among these coaching programs is the shared goal of seeking support to move forward and take meaningful action toward personal and professional growth.
How do you determine the next steps for expanding your products/services?
In 2021, I made a significant investment in a new platform designed to facilitate the growth and scalability of my services. This platform enables me to effectively deliver coaching and support to individuals worldwide, regardless of their location. Whether assisting 10 people or 1,000, this tool allows me to provide meaningful support consistently.
Could you provide an overview of your professional background?
My career primarily revolved around Human Resources, spanning various industries such as hospitality, outsourced call centers, government sectors, FMCG, manufacturing, and professional services. Throughout my journey, I held diverse roles encompassing the entire spectrum of HR functions. In my most recent regional role, I focused on coaching senior managers.
With frequent relocations across Asia, coupled with language barriers, traditional employment became increasingly challenging. To adapt, I pursued retraining with WIAL, where I engaged in consulting and training executives and leaders across industries, culminating in winning the Global Coach of the Year award in 2015.
Additionally, I provided leadership within various volunteer organizations, including serving as a board member at the international school attended by my daughters. I feel privileged to merge my professional expertise with personal experiences to serve my clients effectively.
Currently, I am managing my operations independently. However, I am fortunate to have the support of an incredible accountability partner who helps me stay focused and energized each week. Additionally, I collaborate with my business coach, Amel Derragui, to refine my strategies and goals.
Looking ahead to 2022, I envision expanding my team. As I plan for this growth, I am considering virtual team structures to ensure flexibility and efficiency.
In terms of client experiences, I find working with women, particularly mothers who have sacrificed their careers to support their partners abroad, to be incredibly rewarding. Witnessing their journey of reinvention and rediscovery of self-confidence and purpose through my Kickstart Life program is truly fulfilling. One client, Rachael Ansar, shared her positive experience:
“I had forgotten who I was after dedicating myself to being a full-time wife and parent for the last 10 years. Emily Rogers helped me rediscover my passions and purpose in life. Now, I feel clear about my professional direction and can enjoy quality time with my family.”
What values and principles do you promote at Expat Parenting Abroad and in your personal life?
At Expat Parenting Abroad, the family holds paramount importance, mirroring my core value system. Establishing my own business not only enhances my role as a mother but also enriches my overall character. Every day, I exemplify to my daughters that it’s possible to balance motherhood and entrepreneurship, demonstrating its meaningful impact on both personal and professional fronts.
In your opinion, what are the key aspects that businesses should prioritize to remain relevant in the market post-COVID-19?
The pandemic has underscored our collective vulnerability. Moving forward, businesses must prioritize the emotional and physical well-being of their employees and clients. There’s a critical need to realign with fundamental human values, emphasizing care and mutual respect. By leading with empathy and compassion, businesses can pave the way for a robust recovery and sustainable growth in the post-pandemic era.
In my opinion, promoting women entrepreneurship nationwide requires addressing the common challenges women face, particularly in terms of self-confidence. Many women, especially mothers, grapple with doubts and feelings of guilt, which often hinder their pursuit of entrepreneurial ventures. These internal struggles limit their potential and prevent them from exploring new opportunities.
To support women in entrepreneurship, we must help them overcome these barriers by fostering open dialogue, sharing experiences, and building supportive networks. By creating safe spaces for women to connect, share insights, and celebrate successes, we can empower them to regain confidence and pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
For any woman contemplating entrepreneurship, I encourage them to aim higher and start taking steps towards their goals. It’s essential to identify their desires and begin working towards them, despite any doubts or uncertainties they may have.
Navigating the competitive landscape can be challenging, but I manage by staying grounded in my values. Regardless of how hectic life becomes, I prioritize what truly matters and focus on taking meaningful steps forward, rather than getting caught up in trivialities.
