Sign up to our blog
and get updates direct to your inbox
Business Ideas
For Goodness Sake Vardit Kohn
Vardit Kohn has been interested in food for as long as she can remember. But it was not until after her linguistics studies in Israel, and her MBA studies in London, that she found her true calling and she now thrives as a Natural Nutritionist in The Netherlands.
ExpatWomen’s Interview with Vardit Kohn
ExpatWomen: Vardit, can you please tell us a little about why you left Israel for England, then why you left England for The Netherlands?
Vardit: In 1989, I left Israel to go to England because the world beckoned… I was young and wanted to travel and live abroad for a while. I was offered a job in London and thought it would be great to try; if I didn’t like it, I could always go back to Israel. But London was love at first sight, and independent life in the capital with a car and flat of my own and a social life to boot was too tempting… I never looked back. In 2000, with two young children, London seemed much less appealing. My husband and I were desperate to leave for a change of (his) career, a different culture, a more normal place for our children in which to grow up, a way out of a rather stale social cycle and a taste of the Continent. When he was offered a job in Holland, we didn’t think twice.
ExpatWomen: Why did you start your Natural Nutrition business in the Netherlands?
Vardit: I am passionate about nutrition and health and I strongly believe that everyone can benefit from a better diet and lifestyle. I also believe that as an accompanying partner, you do have options and you can pursue your passions and/or develop your own business abroad.
ExpatWomen: Your business is quite diverse: you do individual nutritional consultations; you consult to corporate clients (namely for health and wellness events, new product development and launches, trend watching and more); you facilitate nutritional workshops; you are a chef advisor and natural cooking coach; you are an expert contributor to leading UK lifestyle websites; and you are a published author and a public speaker. What do you consider your greatest professional achievements in The Netherlands?
Vardit: Firstly, getting two books (Super Sweets & Treats and Cooking in Colours) published here.
Why? Because getting a book published anywhere is really difficult (competitive market), let alone in a country whose language you don’t speak that well and when the manuscript was actually in English. So it was against all the logical odds, but logical odds should not always be relied on. (My books are also published in Israel and hopefully soon, they will be published in the US. Fingers crossed.) And secondly, establishing a great network of clients through sheer determination, persistence and hard work. Why? Because it’s hard to do anywhere, let alone when you’re working in a limited community (as above). And because it took a lot of dedicated effort and energy alongside those required for bringing up young children, running a home and supporting a husband on his career path – and I didn’t give up.
ExpatWomen:What professional activities give you the most satisfaction?
Vardit: All my activities bring me lots of satisfaction in different ways. There is no doubt that helping clients along their individual path in life and seeing them change and blossom when nutrition plays a big part in it is hugely gratifying (and humbling). Being applauded at the end of a cooking session and being made to feel I had actually contributed to a person’s well-being is satisfying in a different way. And being called time after time by an important client like the European Space Agency for more work is hugely satisfying in knowing that I had done a good job and made a difference to their employees.
ExpatWomen:When you started out, what did you think would be your biggest obstacle in setting up a business in The Netherlands?
Vardit: I thought it would be that I did not have a good feel for the local market, as I was much more in touch with the expat/international community than with the Dutch. However, it was actually not such a big obstacle, because when I set up my business I did not think much about it. I just did it – and it worked!
ExpatWomen:What advice would you give to other women wanting to set up businesses in a foreign country?
Vardit: Just Do It! Don’t let “if’s”, “what if’s” and “but’s” deter you. Fear is the only thing that keeps us in our tracks and stops us from moving ahead. Get over it, no matter what country you live in. There is not such a thing as failure. If the result is not what you wanted, learn from it and move on. Do not use your new environment as an excuse; you could have failed in your own country, too. Think of the foreign environment in which you live as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Are there things you could do/learn there that you could not back home? Are there business opportunities that have opened up thanks to your new country? Can you combine skills/contacts from your homeland with ideas/opportunities in your new location?
ExpatWomen:Are you always so confident in everything that you do?
Vardit: No. Behind the confident, out-going, out-spoken façade is often a self-doubting, not-so-confident little girl… but she gets up and does things nevertheless.
ExpatWomen:What is your next big goal or business milestone?
Vardit: After three years of working mainly with individual clients, this year sees a move to corporate work. This is the direction my business will take in future.
ExpatWomen: Thank you very much Vardit and our very best wishes to you for a prosperous future, wherever your life might take you.
