Expat-Owned Businesses Worth Following
Being an expat is an exciting, challenging adventure and even more so when you add owning a business into the mix! I’ve gathered this collection of expat owned businesses to help build the expat network and expat connections. These expat entrepreneurs provide a range of services and products to other expats, tourists, and locals alike. If you’re an expat yourself, you know that it isn’t always easy to maintain your original career when you move abroad. Support these expat businesses and share with your expat friends!
Swiss Travel Planning
Aplins in the Alps
Our YouTube videos and Swiss Itineraries help you travel Switzerland with confidence! That means minimizing your planning time, stretching your budget, and maximizing your Swiss vacation.
Serving clients worldwide who have a desire to vacation in Switzerland, need help with an itinerary, or have questions about Swiss transportation.
Location: Interlaken, Switzerland
IG: @aplinsinthealps
Website: http://www.aplinsinthealps.com
Travel Planning
Your Travel Moments
Hey there! I’m a mom of two from Munich, Germany, living in the USA in Greenville, South Carolina since 2019. We moved here as expats for my husband’s job, and along the way, I turned my passion for travel into a business!
As an Independent Travel Planner, I specialize in creating unforgettable trips across the USA and the Caribbean—think magical theme parks, dreamy cruises, and all-inclusive getaways. I also design personalized road trips and adventure vacations for those looking to explore America in a unique way!
With my travel expertise and connections, I take the stress out of planning so you can focus on making memories. Let’s make your next trip one to remember!
Serving travel lovers across the USA!
Location: Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Website: http://www.yourtravelmoments.us
Photographer in Austria
Sarah Hollis Photo
SarahHollisPhoto is a lifestyle and travel photographer and filmmaker documenting your story–wherever that may be.
Serving clients in Austria and throughout Europe. I capture special moments of clients who are eloping, moving abroad, and growing their families.
Location: Gmunden, Austria
Photographer in Vienna
Romana Maalouf Photography
Professional family photographer based in Vienna, Austria specializing in creating authentic and meaningful storytelling featuring feelings and emotions rather than posed smiles. Photographing locals, expats as well as tourists. Photo sessions featuring Couples, Pregnancy, Motherhood, Newborn, and Family.
Serving clients in Vienna, Austria, including locals, expats, and visiting families. Serving clients who value authentic, storytelling photography—families who embrace the beauty of real moments, emotions, and connections over posed perfection.
Location: Vienna, Austria
IG: @romana_maalouf_photography
Website: https://www.romanamaalouf.com
Photographer in London
Amelia Brame Photography
Capturing your meaningful moments through birth, wedding, travel and family photography.
Serving clients in the United Kingdom but always willing to travel!
Location: London, England
Website: http://www.abramephotography.com
Photographer in Stuttgart, Germany
Becca Allen Photography
Family lifestyle and adventure photographer specializing in documenting your favorite moments in your favorite places. I offer a client wardrobe and studio for my maternity and newborn clients, and travel across the continent to meet you for your big (or little) milestones!
Serving clients across Germany and throughout Europe who want to document their adventures and milestones to share with their families for generations to come.
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Website: https://beccaallenphotography.com/
Fine Art Photography Prints for Your Home or Office
John Harrison Photography
I create fine art nature & landscape photography that transforms your walls with breathtaking scenes from Europe and beyond! After years of success in the San Francisco Bay Area, I moved my family to The Netherlands. I now capture the beauty of Europe along with my collection of iconic American landscapes. Each piece brings color and cherished memories to your walls.
I bring home memorable images from around the world, including European landscapes (Dutch windmills, canals, tulips), American vistas (Yosemite, California Coast, Redwoods), and global destinations (Kauai, The Cotswolds, Big Island, Japanese Gardens, Australia) and others.
Serving clients globally who seek beautiful fine art for their spaces, from intimate pieces to dramatic showstoppers. My images are featured in collections around the world including Apple, REI, and Google, yet accessible for private collectors.
Location: Amstelveen, The Netherlands
Website: https://www.jharrisonphoto.com/
Vacation Rental in the South of France
Lou Messugo Gîte
Lou Messugo is a family-friendly (family-run) gîte (vacation rental) with pool, sleeps 4, on the Côte d'Azur in the south of France. Large garden, sunny terrace, barbecue, boules pitch and trampoline. 15 min walk to centre of village with bakeries and restaurants. 15 mins drive to nearest beaches. 30 mins drive to Nice and Cannes. Close to mountains for active holidays. Open all year round, authentic Provençal charm guaranteed without costing the earth.
Serving clients from all over the world seeking authentic family-run accommodation for an unforgettable vacation in the French Riviera!
Location: Roquefort les Pins, France
IG: @loumessugo
Website: https://loumessugo.com
Vacation Rental in Austrian Countryside
Streckhof Frauenkirchen
Streckhof Frauenkirchen is a family-friendly, 150-year-old renovated farmhouse 55 minutes from Vienna. It is located the beautiful Seewinkel area of Burgenland near Lake Neusiedl. The home sleeps up to 8 in 3 bedrooms and boasts 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen/living space, fully stocked kitchen, indoor wooden play gym, and a fireplace & outdoor fire pit. Our favorite feature during Europe’s hot summers? Air conditioning!
There is an outdoor eating & lounge area, and an extensive garden play area including a play fort and trampoline. Local attractions include St. Martin’s thermal baths, National park Neusiedlersee, renowned winemaker Umathum, Basilica Frauenkirchen, Schloss Halbturn castle, & adventure playground PodoBeach.
Serving families and large groups vacationing in the Austrian countryside near Vienna.
Location: Frauenkirchen, Austria
Website: https://airbnb.com/h/streckhof-frkn
Winery Tours & Wine Tastings in Europe
Really Grape
We make good wine easy to find. Connecting English speaking wine lovers to local European wine makers. P.S. We have a Sipper's club that deliveries wine monthly to your door!
We’re here for anyone who is new to wine and wine aficionados!
Location: Germany & Beyond
IG: @reallygrape
Website: http://reallygrape.com
Turkish Wine Tastings
The Quirky Cork
The Quirky Cork provides private wine tastings, education, and experiences surrounding Turkish wine.
Serving clients who want to explore the world of Turkish wine.
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
IG: @quirkycork
Website: https://thequirkycork.com
Support for Americans Moving Abroad
She Thrives Abroad
She Thrives Abroad transforms your international relocation journey from a distant dream into your new reality. We understand that moving abroad isn't just about logistics—it's about creating the life you've always imagined. Through personalized mentorship and proven frameworks, we guide ambitious women through every step of their international transition, from initial planning to confident settlement. Our comprehensive approach addresses both practical challenges and emotional wellbeing, ensuring you're fully prepared for success in your new home. We don't just help you move abroad; we empower you to thrive there. Because you deserve more than just dreaming about a better life—you deserve to live it.
We’re here for American women (and their families).
Location: Utrecht, Netherlands
Website: http://shethrivesabroad.com
Moving/Transition Support Products for Families
wings & wonder
I create tools for families to help big moves, travel, and transitions feel less overwhelming for kids.
Visit my Etsy shop for a collection of digital and physical resources including, Conversation Cards for Moving Families, the perfect pre-move activity to support you and your kids with leaving a place well.
Serving families are globally mobile or preparing for a big family move.
Location: Toronto, Canada
Website: https://wingsandwonderkids.etsy.com
Nutritional Services
Sarah Griffith Nutrition
I am a Nutritional Therapist based in Lithuania supporting women seeking nutritional support to optimize health through a root-cause and foundational approach.
Serving clients throughout Europe.
Location: Vilnius, Lithuania
IG: @overseasNTP
Exercise Classes in Garmisch & Yoga Retreats
The Third Place Yoga
The Third Place, run by Erin Wilson, offers European yoga retreats and teaches yoga, group fitness classes, personal training, and youth gymnastics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and online. With over 15 years of experience and clients of all ages and abilities, Erin can help guide you toward a healthy and active lifestyle. Learn how to reduce stress through exercise, build strength and mobility, and find the joy in movement! Follow along for sustainable movement tips, accessible yoga conversations, and fun clips about expat life in Europe.
Serving clients who want to build fit minds and bodies to carry them through life for years to come, knowing that accessible and fun movement practices keep us coming back for more!
Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
IG: @thethirdplace_yogafitness
Website: https://thethirdplaceyoga.com/
Lactation Consultant
Lactation Solutions with Cami
English speaking breast/infant feeding support in Amsterdam or virtually.
Serving clients who need help on their infant feeding journeys.
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
IG: @cami_jensen_LC
Website: http://camijensenlc.com
Career Coaching
Next Consulting
I provide coaching services that encompass various areas such for high functioning individuals who want to progress in their International Education careers. I focus on career clarity, discovering your purpose, branding, positioning yourself as a premium hire, and succeeding in job interviews. I also support International Schools with their HR function with a focus on policy and the recruitment of senior administrators.
I serve clients looking to move into the international school circuit or those already working in International Schools who want to progress their careers. I also serve International Schools looking to improve their HR policies and with their senior leadership recruitment.
Location: Remote
IG: @next_consult_is
Website: https://www.next-consulting.org/
Branding Studio
Telltale
We build strategic brands that last through workshops, design, and retainers.
Serving female-founded small businesses worldwide.
Location: Denver, Colorado
IG: @bytelltale
Website: http://bytelltale.com
Custom Embroidery
Katte & Co.
Timeless, custom embroidery for customers in the EU.
Location: Munich, Germany
IG: @katte.and.co
Website: katteandco.de
Grief Education
GriefSpan
Moira Khan is the founder of GriefSpan. She is a Certified Grief Educator and Coach helping others navigate their journey of grief, loss and trauma. As an expat of over 15 years, Moira understands the difficulty in being away from loved ones, or no familiar support system close by to support you through these times.
Moira works with clients online in Spain and all over the world in 1:1´s and groups along with a variety of content posted weekly on how to manage grief, and a community and safe space to share your loss.
Serving clients in Spain and globally. Serving clients who have lost loved ones, or suffered various types of grief and loss.
Location: Madrid, Spain
Website: https://www.griefspan.com/
Wardrobe Styling
The Wardrobe Analyst
The Wardrobe Analyst was born out of the desire to offer bespoke styling services that go beyond helping my clients dress well. Each personalised experience is crafted with a blend of professionalism and empathy combined with a touch of creative flair. I provide holistic styling services tailored to each client's lifestyle, preferences, needs and budget.
I provide online and in-person styling services to clients that have a desire to rebuild their relationship with themselves and their clothing.
Location: London, UK & Riyadh, KSA
Website: http://www.thewardrobeanalyst.com
Modern Infinity Bracelets in Amsterdam
Spark Amsterdam Shop
The most unique memory to take home from a visit to Amsterdam…an infinity bracelet! Get sparked ✨.
For those wanting to take home something special from this beautiful city.
Location: Amsterdam, NL
Website: https://www.sparkamsterdamshop.com/
Book Box Subscription
A Pocketful Of Books
We are an online bookstore and book subscription service handpicking the best fiction books for kids. Our subscription boxes contain tailor made activity packs inspired by the book that’s included, and are designed to nurture a love of reading. Kids can read, create and explore with experiments, crafts, puzzles, fun facts, creative writing and more. And our bookstore offers a tailored service for expect and bilingual families across the EU and worldwide.
For families and english learners everywhere, from bookworms to more reluctant readers.
Location: Augsburg, Germany
Website: http://www.apocketfulofbooks.com
Science Fiction Author
Katherine Kempf Books
Author of the science fiction mythology book, The Mimameid Solution, the first in a planned trilogy. My writing has themes of environmental stewardship, self-discovery and reckoning with your past.
For readers who love science fiction/fantasy books.
Location: Kalbach, Germany
Website: http://www.katherinekempfbooks.com
For more of our family’s travels follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Find all my favorite travel, home, and photography items in my Amazon Store.
