is giving yourself a second chance
The Evolving Landscape of Expat Life and Digital Nomadism with Dominika Miernik
- June 19, 2025
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Table of Contents
Exploring Career Reinvention with Dominika Miernik
Dominika Miernik, is a psychologist, career and expat coach, splitting her time between Rome and Nice.
She reflects on her professional journey and the concept of career reinvention in the context of a changing job market. She began her career in recruitment and later transitioned to coaching, combining her skills and experiences from living in various countries. Dominika emphasizes the importance of adaptability and the tools acquired through diverse experiences.
The Evolving Landscape of Expat Life and Digital Nomadism
We explored the evolving concept of expat life, noting the increasing number of women and digital nomads seeking flexible work arrangements. Dominika reflects on her journey from traditional employment to becoming a digital nomad, discussing the challenges of adapting to a self-employed mindset and the importance of planning and support during this transition.
Values in Career Transition
Dominika shared her insights on the values that guided her career change from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. She highlighted the significance of family, independence, and the need for variety in her daily activities. Additionally, she stressed the importance of well-being, explaining how it impacts both her personal health and her ability to support clients effectively.
Business Promotion Strategies
Dominika discussed her business promotion strategies, starting with networking at in-person events to build connections and share her entrepreneurial mindset. She also mentioned the effectiveness of launching a podcast and participating in online summits to establish expertise and reach more people. Additionally, she encouraged considering personal preferences in marketing methods, such as blogging or guest writing for relevant publications.
* The importance of networking and marketing for new businesses
Career Reflections and Choices
We explored how career changes can lead to exponential personal and professional growth. Dominika shared her biggest learning experience, which involved believing in herself and the value of asking for help rather than trying to do everything alone. They also touched on how cultural and familial influences shape one’s mindset and career choices.
* Values that guide career changes and personal development
Advice on Transitioning to a New Career
Dominika and I dive into practical strategies for career change:
✔️ Listening to your body and recognizing when it’s time for a change
✔️ Leveraging your existing skills in a new way
✔️ Seeking mentorship and networking opportunities
✔️ The power of preparation and planning in career reinvention
Embracing Non-Linearity in Career Paths
Success doesn’t always mean climbing the corporate ladder. Dominika and I discuss the misconceptions about career success and the importance of embracing non-traditional career paths. We also touch on cultural differences in how career reinvention is perceived and how stepping outside conventional norms can lead to greater fulfillment.
Want to read more on non linearity? Check Bridget’s episode, as she transitioned from an employed position in marketing to creating her entrepreneurial project built around the lifestyle she was aspiring to.
Embracing Change and the Power of Asking
Change can feel overwhelming, but asking for support, advice, and collaboration can make all the difference. Dominika shares how networking played a crucial role in her entrepreneurial journey.
💡 Thinking of making a big career shift?
Dominika’s story will inspire you to listen to yourself, embrace change, and create a path that aligns with your values and well-being.
This is one of the reasons why I am working on a new project I want you to hear about.
A community, a co-working space, and a learning space all under the same roof.
So that all those people like you, that have a dream, an idea, or a seed for a new project won’t feel alone and will have a community to tap into. Like minded people that work side by side to their new business idea or career path, with a dedicated learning space.
It will be by invitation, and will host monthly meetings online.
If you are interested, or know someone who could benefit from this project,
sign up here to get notified when I open the doors of the Reinvention Lab.
Read the interview
How did you come up with your reinvention idea?
I took the leap when my corporate job no longer aligned with my vision. I left the 9-to-5, started my own coaching business, and designed a career that fits my lifestyle. I decided to start my own coaching business that combined my personal experience as an expat, with my background in recruitment, psychology and career counselling.
What were the circumstances that allowed/caused your reinvention?
I liked my job but also knew something was missing. I wanted more than only to pay the bills. I wanted to find a way to combine my personal experience as an expat, my background in recruitment, psychology and career counselling. I was always drawn to helping people in career transition.
What challenged you most at first, and/or during the transition?
Transitioning from employee mindset to business owner mindset. Learning about marketing strategies. Getting visible. These things stretched me a bit, but I enjoyed them very much.
What strengths, skills, or competencies have you used for your change?
Building relationships, networking, my network to build parts of my business such as websites. Market research.
Is there something specific that particularly helped you to see new opportunities?
Working with a mentor, investing in marketing mentorship, having a support group of other entrepreneurs so I could ask my questions.
What personal or professional values have you honored during your reinvention?
Freedom. Independence and variety.
Did you use specific techniques or tools to unleash your creativity and visualize your future? If so please can you name them and add URLs or book titles where possible?
Vision boards, journaling, reading books on professional development.
Do you have any creative or practical tips that you would like to share?
Plan and schedule your activities. I write my ideas down and then come back to them after a bit to check if I’m still excited about this idea.
What is your biggest learning since you embarked on your new career?
Showing up even if you’re not ready. You don’t have to be perfect.
If you could write a message in a bottle to yourself at the beginning of the Reinvention process, what would this say?
Listen to your inner voice, to your inner guidance. It’s always right.
What advice can you give others who want to reinvent themselves too that you think will encourage them to take the leap?
Do not leave your job straight away. Think about it as an investment in your business.
How has networking helped you with your business? Can you tell me how you prefer to network? Facebook, blogging, face-to-face or do you belong to any clubs or networks?
It helped me a lot. At the beginning of my journey, I attended many in person networking events, now I focus more online (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram). I’m part of clubs and networks.
Have you ever engaged a coach, mentor or career coach? If not, why not and if so, how did this help you?
Yes, with business coach, social media coach. For me it is a must. You can do things alone, but it will take a long time.
Working with a business coach helped me to learn more about marketing. I still work with coaches.
Did you undertake any study or research prior to launching your business? If so, can you tell me a little more about that?
Yes, I created an online survey and approached people on LinkedIn to fill it out. I had also some informational interviews with my contact and asked them questions.
What are the three main ways you actively market your business? Social media? Paid-for advertising, flyers, business clubs? How successful do you find them?
Workshops (now more online). My podcast The Expat Career and Lifestyle was a great way to get visibility and credibility. LinkedIn I was approached by some companies to collaborate. I was doing Facebook ads at the beginning.
Networking and just talking with people. Hosting two online summits helped a lot as well. It’s a mix of strategies.
Your age when you started your business 33
Your nationality Polish
The country in which you were born Poland
The country in which you started your business UK
Dominika Miernik is an award-winning Career and Expat Coach with over 20 years of living and working abroad in countries like Poland, Italy, the UK and France. Over the past 10+ years, she has been helping expat and globally mobile women to create fulfilling careers and businesses around their international lives. She works with individuals and expat support organizations. Additionally she mentors aspiring expat coaches.
WHERE TO FIND DOMINIKA
Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominikamiernik/
Resources and Inspiration
- Do you want to brainstorm about your Reinvention idea, or learn how Coaching skills can help you develop your project?
You can book a free introductory Coaching session here.
- Are you curious about Reinvention? Go download my free GUIDE: Your first steps
You will see how easy it is to take your first steps by looking at :
a.How you perceive CHANGE
b.Your values and your personality.
c.What are you ready to put in place tomorrow
- If you are ready to move forward and would like guidance and/or peers to work with: check out the Reinvention Revolution Program
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Reinvention Lab Opening Soon
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I can’t wait to hear your unique story of reinvention, and share it with the community. Listeners will be inspired, will learn and find other people’s experiences relatable and encouraging.
