In 2001, I took a leap of faith and immigrated to the United Kingdom, leaving behind my home country of Portugal. It was a challenging but exciting time as I adapted to a new culture, learned a new language, and took on various jobs in the catering industry to make ends meet. Though it was difficult, I found this experience helped me develop my communication skills and gain a new perspective on the world, setting me up for the professional journey that lay ahead.

 

From 2005-2009, I attended university and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management from Southampton Solent University. I also seized the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Avignon, where I further honed my language skills, broadened my cultural understanding, and deepened my academic knowledge.

With my education and newfound perspective, I decided to take the entrepreneurial leap and start my own company, Waves & Winds, a vacation rental marketing, and sales company. This experience gave me valuable learning experience and a strong foundation in business management. I was responsible for building and managing the business, developing a wide range of skills such as leadership, strategic planning, and decision-making.

 

In 2014-2015, I joined TripAdvisor, a leading tourist media company, as a Sales Executive. This opportunity provided me with invaluable experience in a fast-paced and dynamic industry and allowed me to further develop my sales and marketing skills and contribute to the company's overall growth and success.

 

From 2015-2019, I joined Cisco Systems as a Webex Sales Specialist, where I had the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with leading companies in the industry. I was responsible for managing and developing relationships with key clients and working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure client satisfaction. I played a key role in sales, from lead generation to closing deals.

 

In 2019, I joined Softomotive, an RPA start-up as a sales Manager, later that year the company was acquired by Microsoft which was an exciting opportunity to be part of a big company and contribute to a growing department. The acquisition was a defining moment in my career, it marked the beginning of a new phase, one where my hard work and dedication were rewarded.

 

In 2019-2020, I joined NTT Global Business as a Cisco Client Manager, where I was responsible for managing and developing relationships with key clients and ensuring client satisfaction.

 

At 2020-Present, I joined EBRD Starventure Programme as a Start-up Mentor, sharing my expertise and experience to help other entrepreneurs develop and grow their businesses. I provided guidance, advice, and support to start-ups at various stages of their development and helped them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.