This blog tells the story of multihyphenate Ana Denis. Ana went from having a globe-trotting corporate career to building a luxury handbag business to becoming a storytelling and communications trainer, public speaker, YouTuber and facilitator. Along the way, she encountered several roadblocks that tested her resilience and transformed her approach to life. Her journey reflects the reality many professionals face in the 21st century, where careers are seldom linear and rarely anchored in one place or company. Instead, they involve reinvention and resilience.
Ana Denis wears many hats. She is a communications trainer, YouTuber, public speaker and organiser at TEDxTheHague. Originally from the sprawling city of Moscow, Russia, Ana and her husband moved to the Netherlands to further build their luxury handbag business. By then, Ana had quit her globe-trotting corporate job in business development and embraced entrepreneurship by turning her love for designer handbags into a successful international reseller business. But life as an expat entrepreneur was not what she imagined.
Moving to the Netherlands
For years, Ana had been happy in the Moscow corporate world, where she spent her days in high-rise buildings and travelling worldwide for work. As someone who went to art school, she was always drawn to design and colour — especially in clothing. It led her to start a venture where she refurbished preloved designer handbags and sold them, mostly in the US. In a few years, the business expanded, and Ana decided to quit her job. For a time, this decision felt right.
The COVID-19 pandemic offered an unexpected pause. Like many others, Ana found herself reflecting on the direction of her life and career. While discussing future plans with her husband, the couple decided to realise their shared dream of experiencing life in a new country – moving to the Netherlands.
Navigating international conflict
As Ana settled into life in the Netherlands, she continued operating a part of her business in Russia, which provided her with steady income. Little did she know that a global event would disrupt the new life she was building. With the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, major global payment providers exited Russia. This meant her income was cut off. Her startup was in its nascent stages, so it could not foot the bills. Altogether, this made sustaining a life in the Netherlands difficult. At the same time, back at home, Ana felt alienated for not supporting the war.
She recalls, “I felt like I’d lost my home because Russians who wanted peace were no longer welcome back. Some friends stopped talking to me. Plus, I lost half my income. And I had no idea what would happen to me here in the Netherlands. At that point, I couldn’t plan more than three days ahead. No one can prepare for their whole life falling apart.”
The Dutch reality check
While navigating the administrative hurdles of opening a Dutch bank account and fulfilling visa requirements, Ana felt burnt out. It felt like there was pressure coming at her from every direction. She wished to expand the luxury handbag business, but after having operated it for many years, she was at a loss on how to build it further in the absence of outside investment. To protect her financial security, she wanted to pivot to a job, but visa restrictions did not allow her to work for another company. Recalling her frustration, she says, “I felt helpless and terrified. I had no one to turn to for help.”
Finding normality
Most expats from Ana’s circle were highly skilled corporate employees whose companies supported their move to the Netherlands. They had stable careers, built‑in networks, and were already buying homes. For Ana, whose expat life had been anything but stable, it was hard to relate.The contrast often made her feel isolated and lesser than. Seeking both perspective and reassurance, Ana started writing a book to learn from other women who had reinvented their lives and careers. The conversations, with a much more diverse group of expats this time, opened a new window into the realities of expat life.
Recalling this turning point, she explains, “I met truly amazing women from all over the world. Their stories meant the world to me – and I couldn’t be more grateful. They gave me a sense of normality. It showed me that things not working out for me were not because I was weak, or I didn’t know what to do or because I was not smart enough. I was finally not alone”.
Connecting the dots
Energised, Ana continued running her designer handbag business outside the Netherlands. Around the same time, her husband found a job — a stroke of luck that brought some stability. Ana reached out to his recruiter for advice, and she suggested something unexpected: volunteering. Although the concept was new to Ana, she decided to give it a try. Driven by her love for cats, Ana first began volunteering at an animal shelter, which brought her a lot of joy. In another non-profit, she helped people whose first language isn’t English prepare for job interviews, speaking with confidence and clarity. And a few months later, it led her to a role that fit her perfectly – she joined TEDx as an organiser, facilitator and Head of PR.
Reflecting on this milestone, she says, “When I heard about TEDx, I felt alive for the first time in 3 years since I moved. Not only was the stage my happy place – singing, performing and speaking were always part of my life and career – I’ve always had that dream of bringing people from all over the world together. So I started hosting events and networking with the TEDx community. It helped me understand myself better, because I found something that connects every single dot in my story. Whether it’s through public speaking, a career club, or through my book on reclaiming identity, I help people tell their story – and I’m devoted to that rare moment when the story you share with the world finally matches the one you hold inside.”
While Ana juggles several roles, she appreciates being a part of a community of women at Female Ventures who are also scaling their own businesses. She sees her own ups and downs reflected in their entrepreneurial journeys, which is why she became a Female Ventures mentor, supporting women going through difficult transitions. She also founded a career club, Reinvento, where she leads workshops on identity, career reinvention, personal branding, and communication for professionals navigating change [2].
Reflecting on the expat life
For much of her life, Ana considered herself an introvert. But after moving to the Netherlands, she found herself proactively connecting with people. Her approach to work-life balance also changed. She shares, “In Moscow, working late hours and long commutes is the norm. And I loved that. But in the Netherlands, I saw that people value work-life balance. You’re allowed to be a person.”
At first, the shift felt unfamiliar. Over time, however, she began to appreciate it. “I saw that during the workday, it’s possible to visit the dentist or pick your child up from school. The employer does not make you feel guilty for doing that – it’s incredible!”
Ana has courageously navigated the volatility that many professionals face in the 21st century, where careers are seldom linear and rarely anchored in one place or company. Instead, they often involve reinvention and resilience.
When asked for advice for others going through a career transition, Ana highlights the importance of connection: “Reinvention starts from the inside out. You first get clear on who you are, and only then can you learn to communicate it to the world. And at every stage of that process, I believe in the power of human connection — the people who see you, support you, and walk beside you as you become the next version of yourself.
People in the Netherlands are very open to networking, so reach out to those whose profiles genuinely interest you. To make connecting less weird: become the platform. Start a project that allows you to serve and listen to others — a podcast, a piece of research, a book. When you do that, the right opportunities – and the right people – will find you.”
With her book Reinvento: Expat’s Guide to Reinventing Your Career and Identity published in April, Ana continues her mission of supporting expats in rewriting their story.
References
[1] LinkedIn, (2026). Ana Denis. As accessed on March 3, 2026. URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-denis/
[2] Ibid.
Thank you
Thank you Ana for sharing her journey with us! Connect with Ana Denis on LinkedIn.
Authorship
Written by Manasi Nikam based on an online interview with Ana Denis on February 10, 2026. With thanks to Kristin Unger for her editorial inputs.