Hi, I’m Andrea. I’ve started over more than once—moving countries, building businesses, facing divorce, and navigating life as a single mom. Each transition taught me resilience, vulnerability, and the power of living on my own terms. Now, I’m building my second business and sharing my journey to inspire women like you who are navigating change. Let’s grow together through connection and shared experiences. You’re not alone—I’m here to walk this path with you.

Starting over isn’t just about rebuilding your life. It’s about redefining who you are. It’s about confronting the parts of your story that you didn’t choose but are now yours to carry. It’s about learning to navigate a world that doesn’t always play by the rules you were taught growing up. For me, it’s been a journey of resilience, courage, and vulnerability.

The Weight of Baggage No One Sees

I come from Eastern Europe, a place where stability often means following a well-worn path: get a degree, find a “safe” job, build a predictable life. When I moved to Western Europe, I faced an entirely different reality. Suddenly, the rules I grew up with didn’t apply. The resources were different, the cultural norms were unfamiliar, and the support systems I had known were half a continent away.

Add to that the so-called “baggage” we all carry from childhood: the beliefs, fears, and habits shaped by our earliest experiences. These deeply rooted patterns influence how we navigate adulthood, whether we realize it or not. And for me, they made an already challenging journey even harder.

I had to learn how to ask for help because where I come from, independence is a matter of pride. I had to learn how to delegate tasks because I was taught that doing everything on your own is a sign of strength. I had to learn how to build a business, how to navigate divorce, and how to be a single parent all on my own, without a roadmap or a safety net. 

Yes, I’ve become resilient. I’ve faced change head-on, built new beginnings from scratch, and proved to myself that I can rise above the challenges. But behind every victory, there were countless moments of doubt, fear, and loneliness. It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, and it would be dishonest to paint it that way.

Freedom: Redefining Independence

Growing up, independence meant self-sufficiency. It meant never showing weakness, never asking for help, and never relying on anyone. My mother taught me that as a woman, I needed to be able to stand on my own two feet. Her lessons came from her experiences, from a world where depending on others could be risky.

I inherited that mindset. I chased degrees, “safe” jobs, and a predictable life because that was the formula for security. But deep down, I knew that version of independence wasn’t meant for me. I craved more: I wanted freedom. Not just financial independence, but the freedom to design a life on my terms.

That’s how my journey into real estate and short-term rentals began. I wanted a life that wasn’t confined to a desk or dictated by someone else’s rules. I wanted the autonomy to make my own choices, to pursue my passions, and to be present for my children.

But choosing this path meant challenging everything I was taught about independence. It meant embracing vulnerability, admitting when I needed help, and letting go of the need to have it all figured out. It meant redefining freedom not as doing everything alone but as having the power to choose how I live my life.

Connection: Finding My Community

Living in Western Europe as an Eastern European woman meant navigating unspoken cultural differences. It meant rebuilding my social network from scratch, without the family ties and lifelong friendships that most people around me seemed to have. It meant finding a sense of belonging in a place that didn’t always feel like home.

I realized quickly that if I wanted to thrive, I couldn’t do it alone. I needed community. But building that community wasn’t easy. I had to learn how to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds, how to be vulnerable without feeling exposed, and how to ask for support without feeling like a burden.

I started by seeking out women who understood my journey. Single mothers, immigrants, entrepreneurs, like-minded locals, networks. Women who were navigating transitions, just like me. I found strength in shared experiences, resilience in collective wisdom, and hope in knowing that I wasn’t alone.

These connections became my lifeline. They reminded me that even though I was building my life alone, I didn’t have to face every challenge by myself. They showed me the power of vulnerability … that by sharing my story, I could inspire others to embrace theirs.

Vulnerability: Embracing My Story

I won’t pretend that being vulnerable comes easily to me. In my culture, vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness. You’re taught to keep your struggles to yourself, to present a strong front, and to never let others see you fall apart.

But life had other plans for me. I went through a divorce that shook my identity, relocated to a new country with my children, and started over with nothing but my experiences and dreams. Pretending to be invulnerable wasn’t an option. If I wanted to build an authentic life, I had to show up as I was: broken, hopeful, and determined.

Vulnerability became my greatest strength. It allowed me to connect with others on a deeper level. It gave me the courage to share my journey, not just the victories but also the struggles. And it gave me the freedom to let go of the need to be perfect.

By embracing my story, I gave myself permission to grow. And in doing so, I gave others permission to do the same.

Lessons Learned: Turning Baggage into Strength

Starting over isn’t just about building a new life. It’s about embracing every part of your story, including the baggage you carry. Here are the lessons that have shaped my journey:

1. Your life. Your choices. Your freedom. Don’t let your past dictate your future. You have the power to choose your path and to redefine independence on your terms.
2. Stronger together—because growth happens in a community. You don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Seek out genuine connections and allow others to support you.
3. There’s power in showing up as you are. Embrace vulnerability as a strength. By being authentic, you inspire others to do the same.

An Invitation to Join the Journey

I’m not sharing my story because I have all the answers. I’m sharing it because I know how lonely it can feel to navigate transitions on your own. I know the weight of cultural expectations, the pressure to be strong, and the fear of being judged.

But I also know the power of community, the courage that comes from vulnerability, and the freedom that comes from choosing your own path. That’s why I’m building a supportive space where women feel heard, inspired, and equipped to navigate life’s transitions.

If my story resonates with you, I invite you to join this journey. Let’s connect, share our experiences, and grow together. Because starting over isn’t about leaving your past behind. It’s about carrying it with you and turning it into your greatest strength.

Let’s Grow Together

I’d love to hear your story. What challenges have you faced while starting over? How have your cultural experiences shaped your journey? Let’s connect, share, and inspire each other.

Because no matter where we come from or what baggage we carry, we are stronger together.

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