Interview with Kate Megee, Health Coach.
Kate Megee is a passionate Health Coach, who came all the way from Australia to Budapest. She loves her husband, her job and her life. And if that was not enough, her mission is to help many people do the same.
How does she do this? What’s her secret? Kate Megee told us about her life and her experiences being a businesswoman.
- Where are you from?
Australia
- When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived here 1 year ago and came here because of my husband’s work.
- Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, I have lived in a few countries. I lived in Canada when I was in my 20’s and most recently my husband and I have lived in Dubai, UAE and Karachi, Pakistan. I worked as an Executive Assistant in Dubai and as a Project Coordinator in Karachi. In most recent years I found that each time we moved for my husbands job I needed to adapt my career to fit the new location and find work for myself. It was while living in Pakistan that I realized I really wanted to a find career path that I loved and that I could do online, so I could take it with me wherever we moved to. That is how I found my current business field.
- Have you arrived originally to be an expatreneur or this was not your No. 1 priority?
No we originally arrived my husband’s work.
- As of business: what is your business field? Why did you choose this business?
I am a Health Coach and Yoga Teacher. I chose to pursue Health Coaching as I am passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and getting the most out of life. I have always dreamed of being able to find a job that I truly loved and have finally found it. My focus is helping women create balance and health for their whole lives. Being healthy is so much more than eating well and exercising. It is also the health of our relationships, career and mindset. To be our best and live a life we love we need to check that all areas are working well and find a way to balance them all. I help women do just that.
- What was the most difficult to solve when you started your company in Hungary?
My business is online so I have not started a company in Hungary but I would say that the most difficult thing would be the language and for anyone starting a business it would also be understanding what is required to start a business plus preparing all the paperwork in Hungarian. I have friends who have started companies here and it seems quite daunting.
- What are today’s challenges?
I think today’s challenges when starting a business anywhere is finding your market and also using social media to reach them. This is the way of the future and with so many new social media platforms coming out all the time it can be quite hard to keep up.
- How many employees do you work with?
I currently don’t have any employees, as my business is online. Perhaps in the next year or so I will hire someone as my business is starting to grow quite well.
- What surprised you the most about Hungary?
I was really surprised by welcoming Hungarian people and how beautiful this city is. I absolutely love living here and feel that it is the most beautiful city in Europe. I love being able to walk everywhere and the diversity that the city has to offer.
- What is your favorite Hungarian food?
Kürtőskalács (chimney cake). I love it! Every time I walk past one of the stalls on the street and smell it I have to try not to buy one! My favorite is kürtőskalács with cinnamon. (she’s laughing)
- What about Hungarian wines? Do you have a favorite?
I have many favorite Hungarian wines. I think Hungarian wine is world class. If I have to narrow it down I’d say wines from Villány. My husband and I have been there many times with our Hungarian friends and I love the wines from that region. I have too many favourites to just choose one.
- What is your favorite Hungarian word?
I like fantasztikus (fantastic) and mágikus (magical) as I use these expressions in English but I love they way they sound in Hungarian. I also like Egészségedre (cheers). I was particularly proud of myself when I was finally able to say this word properly.
- What do you miss most from home?
I miss the beaches and my family. I only get to see my family about once a year, as it is such a long way to travel. Fortunately though my family loves to visit so they travel here one year and the second year we travel to Australia. We always try to spend Christmas together.
- What’s your favorite thing about being an expat in Hungary?
The amazing people that I have met here. I have some wonderful Hungarian friends who have become like family and that is so nice with my own family being so far away. Plus I have met so many interesting expats and have made lifelong friends here.
- What would you do different now than in the beginning regarding your business or career?
I would say that I would get out and do more networking early on. I was too shy to do this when I started but if you want to grow a business people need to know about you. You have to get out and meet people. Plus as an expat in a new city it is a great way to meet people.
- What are your hobbies?
I love to be active. My husband and I go wakeboarding in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. I also do yoga and teach yoga. I love to go running on Margit Sziget and ride my bike in the summer. I also love to catch up with friends, go to the many amazing festivals in Hungary and also to travel. That is my favourite hobby.
- Buda or Pest?
Buda. I love the city life, but I would have to choose Buda. There just seems to be more sunshine on the Buda side. It has a really nice feel. Almost like it is a little bit more homely. I currently live in Buda.
- What is your personal credo, motto or quote?
Eat. Move. Heal. Thrive. That means: Eat well as a lifestyle choice, not as a diet and find what works for you. Everyone is different so learn to understand your unique body. Move your body regularly and find something you love to do. Heal your mind of negative thoughts, doubts and beliefs. Thrive; follow your passion and create the life that you really want.
- Do you have or plan to start any CSR activities?
I have no plans for CSR at this stage.
- If you could go back in time to start your business in Hungary from the beginning, do you see the sense to work with a business management agency like Business Management Hungary?
Yes. If I were to start a company in Hungary I would definitely engage a company to help me with this. My time is better spent building my business so this is a smart decision.
Business Management Hungary
www.businessmanagementhungary.com