KATE JOHNSON
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS.
My name is Kate and I’m a 28 year old passionate traveller who has always been the ‘foreign’ one in the room! Originally from England, I moved to France when I was 13 and since then have lived and worked in 6 different countries.
My most recent (and hopefully permanent!) home is the wonderful Canada that I moved to with my Canadian fiancé 2.5 years ago.
As a person who understands how stressful and challenging it can be to move your life abroad I’ve become really passionate about helping others adjust to the change and have launched my business; Xpat Xpo; to bring together, support and celebrate those of us who are brave enough to become ‘immigrants’!
Xpat Xpo is a large networking event and trade show to support internationals living in Toronto and the GTA. It’s taking place on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge - Bloor. Think ‘resourceful trade show’, ‘inspiring immigrant success stories’, 'expert presentations’ and a ‘vibrant networking lounge’ with music, games & giveaways!
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
When I first arrived in Canada, I quickly realized how important it is to meet new people …ASAP! Without a support network, your new life abroad can become really lonely and isolating. Not only that, there were SO many incredible resources out there to support newcomers to Canada, but not really ‘one place’ to go to find out about them all.
I decided to use my Event Management experience to launch Xpat Xpo and bring together all of the resources into a ‘one stop shop’ to help set up your successful new life in Canada; and also to celebrate all of the cultures and diversity that this amazing city has to offer.
I can’t wait to see how many countries we can fit into one room!
WHAT WAS ONE HIGH POINT FOR YOU?
My high point has been every time I receive a contract back from a high-profile exhibitor, further building an incredible trade show floor. Starting from absolutely nothing to having these big companies put their faith in you is so empowering every single time it happens - Having to write up an invoice for the Canadian Government / Canada Revenue Agency was definitely a ‘gulp’ moment!
WAS THERE EVER A SITUATION WHERE YOU WANTED TO GIVE UP? AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THAT (YOUR A-HA MOMENT)?:
With every new business venture, I think there is always that little voice inside you that is scared that you will be embarrassed by a huge failure. What will people think if I spend all this money and can’t sell the booths? Or even worse, nobody buys tickets or shows up to the event? There are still ‘unknowns’ for me as this is a 1st-time event but what I’ve quickly realized is that you never know until you try!!! My 'a-ha' moment was definitely when it clicked that if I just don’t care and give it everything I’ve got, failure isn’t going to happen. It’s when you hesitate and holdback that increases that risk!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A B.A.B.E.?
I can’t get enough of being part of an empowering female group like B.A.B.E. Lifting fellow gal entrepreneurs up and sharing out battles, successes and valuable connections is inspiring. Plus, I LOVE finding new local events, products and opportunities.
TELL ME 3 FUN FACTS ABOUT YOU.
I jumped out of a plane 15,000ft over the Great Barrier Reef.
I hate my English accent (despite every Canadian saying they love it!)
I’m a vegetarian that is obsessed with the smell of bacon.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE US?
Experience being ‘foreign’ at least once. Trust me it is eye-opening in so many ways!