What if I told you that moving to a new country and starting a business at the same time isn’t just possible, but it might actually be the smartest career move you could make?

Meet Camillia Fitzsimmons, who did exactly that. She left her comfortable startup job in Vancouver, relocated to Israel, and launched Mover Shaker Media—all while navigating the chaos of international relocation during a global pandemic.

Her story is inspiring. It’s also a practical blueprint for anyone ready to think bigger about their career and life.

Why She Left Everything Behind in Canada

After completing her studies in Vancouver, Camillia had what many would consider the perfect setup: a steady job at a promising startup in a beautiful city. But comfort breeds complacency, and she wanted more.

“I wanted to experience something completely different. Israel offered opportunities I couldn’t find in Canada.”

This wasn’t wanderlust talking. It was strategic thinking. Camillia recognized that international experience would become her competitive advantage, positioning her to build a truly global network and develop the cultural adaptability that modern businesses desperately need.

The Reality Check: What International Relocation Actually Looks Like

Let’s be honest. Moving countries isn’t an Instagram-worthy adventure. It’s messy, frustrating, and full of unexpected challenges that no one warns you about.

The Hidden Obstacles Camillia Faced:

• Cultural Curveballs: Something as simple as how people stand in line…or don’t stand in line…works differently in Israel. These “small” differences compound quickly and test your patience daily.
• Bureaucratic Nightmares: Obtaining dual citizenship meant drowning in paperwork and waiting through lengthy approval processes. The payoff? She now holds citizenship in both Canada and Israel.
• Network Reset: Starting over means your carefully built professional and personal connections are left behind. You’re back to square one.
• Pandemic Plot Twist: Camillia’s timing coincided with COVID-19, adding layers of complexity that would have broken most people’s resolve.

The lesson? Expect everything to take longer and cost more than you planned.

Breaking the Rules: Building a Business While Your Life Is in Boxes

Conventional wisdom says pick one: either relocate OR start a business. Doing both simultaneously sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Camillia ignored conventional wisdom and launched Mover Shaker Media anyway. Her company specializes in content creator partnerships and social media management. Her international perspective became her secret weapon, allowing her to work with diverse companies across finance, tech startups, and book publicity.

The counterintuitive truth: Sometimes the “worst” time to start a business is actually the best time, because you have nothing to lose and everything to prove.

The Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide: Lessons from the Trenches

Camillia’s Hard-Won Business Insights:

• Start Small, Think Big: She developed a card game called “Unpopular Opinions” as a creative side project—it’s now launching in beta. Side projects become main projects when you’re not looking.
• Passion + Education = Unstoppable: Genuine interest in your field plus relentless learning beats natural talent every time.
• Cash Cushion Is King: Financial preparation doesn’t just reduce stress—it gives you the freedom to take smart risks.
• Strategic Reading List: Her recommendations include The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman and Secrets of a Passionate Life by Tal Tsfany. Knowledge compounds.

A Day in the Life of a Global Entrepreneur

Camillia’s workday involves collaborating with companies across multiple time zones and industries. One morning, she might be strategizing with a fintech startup, and that afternoon, she’s managing a book publicity campaign.

This international approach gives her market insights that location-bound competitors simply can’t access. She understands nuanced cultural differences that make or break global campaigns.

The unexpected benefit: Working across industries and cultures makes you antifragile. When one sector struggles, others thrive.

The Tech Stack That Powers Global Success

Managing an international business requires intentional tool selection:

• Notion: For organization (warning: steep learning curve, but worth the investment)
• CapCut: For video editing that works across cultural contexts
• AI Tools: For creative projects like writing card game prompts

These aren’t just productivity tools. They’re force multipliers that let one person compete with entire teams.

Where to Go: The Best Cities for International Entrepreneurs

Based on her experience, Camillia recommends these strategic destinations:

United States

Dense international communities make networking exponentially easier. The diversity of major cities provides built-in market research.

Madrid, Spain

Widespread English proficiency combined with a business-friendly environment. Plus, the cost of living won’t bankrupt your startup dreams.

Quebec, Canada

Bilingual advantages open doors across North America and Europe. The startup ecosystem provides mentorship and funding opportunities.

The key: Choose based on your industry needs, not just lifestyle preferences.

Your Action Plan: From Dreamer to Global Entrepreneur

Ready to stop talking and start moving? Here’s your roadmap:

Phase 1: Research and Prepare

• Understand visa requirements, business regulations, and cultural norms for your target country
• Build financial reserves for both relocation and business startup costs

Phase 2: Network Before You Need It

• Start connecting with people in your target destination months before moving
• Join online communities and attend virtual events

Phase 3: Develop Portable Skills

• Focus on abilities that work anywhere: digital marketing, consulting, content creation
• Build a portfolio that demonstrates international thinking

Phase 4: Start Small, Move Fast

• Launch side projects while maintaining financial stability
• Test business ideas before betting everything on them

The Future Belongs to Global Entrepreneurs

Camillia’s story represents more than personal success. It’s a preview of how business will work in the coming decade. The entrepreneurs who win will be those who think globally from day one, not those who try to scale domestically first.

The advantages of international entrepreneurship:

• Global perspective that local competitors can’t match
• Diverse networks that provide unique opportunities
• Cultural adaptability that’s increasingly valuable
• Market insights that come from lived experience

Your International Chapter Starts Now

Camillia’s journey from Vancouver startup employee to Israeli entrepreneur proves that the impossible is just the untested. International relocation and business success don’t just happen simultaneously—they amplify each other.

The bureaucracy will frustrate you. The cultural differences will challenge you. The financial pressure will test you.

But on the other side of that discomfort lies a life and business that most people only dream about.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to take this leap. It’s whether you can afford not to.

Your global success story is waiting. The only question is: when do you start writing it?

Whatever your dream, being able to manage your time and organize yourself is going to play a role in making it happen. We can help join. Join the email list and enjoy the two gifts that come your way. One gets your desk clean. The other puts everything you have to do in one digital place. It’s time to Get Organized! and make it look easy.