Expat partner Paul de Weerdt has successfully managed to relocate his woodworking business and adjust to life in Malmö with some help from Global Connection, his wife’s company… and his daughter.
‘Let’s do it!’
“One year before moving to Sweden, I’d set up my business. I was just starting to get some traction when the opportunity to relocate came up. Even if I wasn’t sure how I would transplant my business, I was 100% up for it! As I didn’t speak the language, and I had no network here in Malmö, of course, I was a bit nervous. But I also knew we’d have relocation support from my wife’s company, which took some of the pressure off,” says Paul whose specialty is making games tables and bespoke cabinets.
Settling in period
“After relocating, I was mostly at home for six months as my daughter was on the waiting list for preschool. But when she started going to school, I suddenly had four days a week to do my own thing. Using Google Maps, I searched for some workshops and found one that had a table I could rent. Besides the space, I have access to some top-grade machinery that helps me to work more efficiently.”
Casual networking
“Going to the workshop also gives me some social interaction as I’m working alongside others, which is good for me as we haven’t made so many good friends here,” says Paul, whose wife is expecting their second child. “On Wednesdays, I spend the day with my daughter at playgrounds and I have met other parents that way. Like anywhere else, word of mouth is good for a craft product business like mine. So going to the playground with my daughter, and just telling people what I do, has actually led to some sales!”
Language lessons
“To help me integrate, I’ve been learning Swedish. My progress has been a bit slow. In fact, my daughter often corrects my pronunciation when she hears me making mistakes!” says Paul, who also availed of relocation support from his wife’s company to develop a website for the local market and register his business in Sweden. “Thanks to Global Connection, I worked with a coach who gave me all the guidance I needed for legal and tax matters. That saved me a huge amount of time to do what I do best: go to the workshop and make beautiful things!”
Photo: Paul in the workshop
