From Paris to Sydney

With Quentin - Bringing the french excellence to the Aussie tables

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- The interview centers on a bakery entrepreneur in Australia who champions freshness, high-quality ingredients, and seasonality as the core of her cake business. She explains that the secret to great cakes lies in making them fresh the same day, using superior ingredients, and paying attention to the combination of selection, technique, presentation, and flavor. Without true taste, she argues, a cake won’t be good, no matter how beautiful it looks.

- The guest’s background is framed by a high-end gastronomic career in France. She previously worked in Paris at a major hotel and had the opportunity to work with a world-renowned pastry chef. She describes this period as formative, but positioning herself for new challenges became a priority. She felt the pull to grow and to test herself in a new environment, which led to a decisive move to Australia.

- The move to Australia was impulsive in a sense: she was young, seeking challenges, and decided to take a two-week window to decide, resign from her job, and move with essentially nothing but a plan. She arrived in Sydney with no friends, no job, and minimal language skills, and she recalls it as a difficult period. Despite the initial hardship, she persisted, became selective about the type of work she pursued (aiming to maintain the same level of atmosphere and quality she was used to in five-star settings), and gradually built a career in Australia.

- Ten years on, she has become a permanent resident and eventually a citizen. Today, she runs a bakery business from a shop in Australia that began during the COVID pandemic and has since grown into a full-fledged operation. Her business is presented as a “collection” of cakes—emphasizing variety and seasonal flavors, all produced fresh and by order to minimize waste and maximize quality.

- The brand’s operational philosophy centers on a made-to-order model: everything is prepared fresh on the day, with strict controls to reduce wastage and to ensure consistent quality. The best-selling cake is a Saint-Honoré, a classic French pastry. She explains that this cake is often one of the first things taught in pastry school, embodying a range of techniques from puff pastry and choux to creams and caramel, and representing an archetype of traditional French pastry craftsmanship. She even presents a Saint-Honoré cake on camera, underscoring the craft involved in its creation.

- The conversation highlights themes of craft, apprenticeship, and the merit of maintaining traditional techniques while building a modern business. The guest’s narrative—from Parisian apprenticeship to Australian entrepreneurship—illustrates resilience, deliberate risk-taking, and a commitment to quality through a structured, seasonally driven product line.

From Liege to Sydney

With Anissa - Creating space in Bondi

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- Background and roots: The interviewee is from Belgium, specifically Liège, and has ties to Morocco through family. She spent a significant period in London (five years) to pursue her interest in fashion and beauty and to improve her English, before moving to Australia. The move was partly motivated by weather and a sense that she needed to pursue something she couldn’t fully articulate at the time.

- Early work in Australia: After arriving, she found work in a Bondi shop, where she initially applied broadly by printing her resume and visiting multiple shops. She started as a casual employee, and her English gradually improved. Her leadership trajectory progressed quickly: within months she became a shop manager, a role that recognized her growing responsibility and capability.

- Transition to entrepreneurship: Several years later, she launched her own beauty business in Australia. She chose to operate from a private home studio rather than a traditional storefront, emphasizing a personal, intimate environment. She began the business about a year ago, testing the waters before fully committing.

- The business philosophy and approach: Her core aim is to help people feel good about themselves. She emphasizes listening to the body to understand what the skin and overall condition need, advocating for a strong mind-body connection as a foundation for effective skincare. Her studio atmosphere is designed to be private and winding down-friendly, with meditation music and a calm environment to help clients unwind.

- Services and techniques: Her practice combines cosmetics and facial therapies, drawing on a beauty diploma she earned long before starting the business. The studio is equipped with a range of technologies used during treatments (such as LED masks, hydrafacial tools, and radiofrequency devices) and a selection of scrubs. Treatments are customized to each client’s skin type and needs, with a focus on relaxation and skin improvement. She notes that her clientele are primarily women, but she intentionally welcomes men too, highlighting a gap in the market for men seeking a private, stress-relieving space.

- Client experience and environment: The home studio functions as a retreat where clients can unwind, listen, and be seen as individuals rather than just customers. Beyond the facial itself, she integrates elements like soothing music and potential breathwork or mindfulness practices, providing a holistic experience aimed at reducing stress and enhancing skin health. The emphasis is on a tailored, client-centered approach rather than a rushed, high-traffic service model.

- Personal and professional stance: She underscores the importance of self-experimentation as part of refining her treatments—she tests approaches on herself and brings those insights into her work with clients. This practical, evidence-informed stance reinforces the credibility of her methods and the trust she aims to establish with clients.

- Summary takeaway: The speaker’s journey—from immigrant worker to private-practice skincare professional—centers on personal growth, adaptability, and a commitment to creating a calming, individualized experience. Her story illustrates how a private, client-focused studio can become a trusted space for wellness and skin health, leveraging both traditional beauty skills and modern technologies.

From Paris to Sydney

With Stan - all rounder artist

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- The interview introduces Stan, a French artist who blends dancing, singing, and modern performance. He’s described as both a singer (Dan Sal is mentioned) and a contemporary artist, with a focus on his multi-disciplinary work.

- Early career and training in France: • Stan started dancing at age nine, initially in hip‑hop, with a long‑term goal of becoming a top-level choreographer. • He earned a scholarship through an audition, which funded his studies and allowed him to broaden his training beyond dance. He trained in singing and a wide range of dance styles (jazz, contemporary, tap, ballet) and also pursued acting. • He took on various gigs in France, including dancing for Lacoste in a charity campaign and performing in the musical Greece. • He auditioned for TV but didn’t land The Voice. Instead, he won Tara Academy (a major French talent show), which significantly raised his profile.

- The reality TV effect and transition away from France: • Stan notes that while he was on “the castle” (a reality-show setting), he didn’t understand what was happening outside; the notoriety came after leaving the show. • He describes a dramatic shift from being well‑known in France to starting anew in Sydney, Australia, indicating a deliberate move to pursue international opportunities.

- Why move to Sydney? • His core goal is to be an international artist, but he reasoned that staying in France wouldn’t automatically make him international. • He decided to explore abroad and felt drawn to Australia after a holiday with his best friend and manager. He was struck by the country’s beauty, the friendly people, and the supportive industry environment. • Part of the move was also about improving his English and aligning his music with the kind of music that’s promoted internationally at the moment. He identified his previous disco/funky style as not necessarily in line with current trends in France, and he saw Australia as a place with fresh opportunities.

- Establishing himself in Sydney: • Stan has started building a local footprint, including hosting on Bondi Radio (his first edition aired recently). He now appears weekly, every Tuesday from 9–10 PM, using the platform to talk about music history, origins, and the journey of various genres—essentially educating listeners about the music’s evolution. • He expresses genuine enthusiasm for this ongoing work, highlighting it as a meaningful way to engage with audiences and explain the sonic roots of contemporary sounds.

- Current projects and future plans: • He is an ambassador for a streetwear brand called EMAT, signaling a growing cross‑branding approach beyond music. • He is preparing to release a new single, reportedly titled Dot (or Dot in English), with a broader concept around “the artistic life.” The track is framed as a reflection on the advice his mother gave him and the caution needed when pursuing a difficult life in the arts (the tension between ambition and the realities of a creative career). • The France-based stage identity is referenced (e.g., “David artist” and other phrasing in the transcript is a bit unclear), but the core message is a personal, motherly perspective on pursuing art while staying mindful of the risks. • Stan also mentions continued activity on social platforms (Instagram and TikTok) and hints at upcoming appearances for TikTok Awards.

From Lyon to Sydney

With Hugo - owner of a plumbing business

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- Setting and vibe of the talk: The speaker shares a candid, down-to-earth recounting of his move to Australia and how he built his life there. The tone is informal and conversational, punctuated by quick shifts in topic as if the listener is sitting in on a real chat.

- Early life and big move: Born in France, he arrived in Australia in 2011 around 18–19 years old. He didn’t speak English at all at first. The move was prompted by his relationship with a French girlfriend who later became his wife. He describes the move as a big, brave leap across the world to be with someone he cared about.

- First job and language bridge: Upon arrival, he took a low-status, entry job as a cleaner (specifically cleaning schools) to survive and, crucially, to practice English and meet people. This job was a stepping stone that helped him start talking to others and gradually improve his language skills.

- Plumbing background and credentialing: He had plumbing experience in France and held a license there. However, Australia requires local licensing, so he had to re-qualify. It took roughly three years to complete the process and obtain his full Australian plumbing license, transitioning from maintenance/domestic work to more specialized plumbing tasks.

- Career progression in Australia: After obtaining his license, he started in domestic plumbing and eventually moved into mechanical plumbing, which is somewhat different. He emphasizes the shift from basic tap replacements and household maintenance to more varied plumbing work, underscoring a willingness to adapt to the local market.

- Family motivation and the visa journey: The move was tied to his partner/wife. She had initially invited him to come to Australia, and the couple navigated a long-distance phase before finally settling. He describes the steps of his visa journey: a one-year working visa first, a return trip to France when his partner pursued further studies, a return on a partner visa, and then about three years to secure permanent residency (PR). After obtaining PR, there was an additional waiting period before he could apply for citizenship, bringing the total to roughly seven years from arrival to full citizenship status.

- Personal growth and resilience: The speaker highlights resilience, adaptability, and persistence as core traits. He faced language barriers, licensing hurdles, and the usual challenges of starting over in a new country, yet he persevered, learned the local system, and built a credible presence in a new market.

- Business milestone and current focus: Having established his footing and credentials, he launched his own plumbing business, named something like Ocean Side Plumbing. The focus is on maintenance plumbing—servicing homes, replacing taps, and related tasks—positioning himself as a reliable, go-to professional for homeowners in Sydney. The emphasis is on practical, customer-facing service, with a straightforward value proposition: when you have a plumbing need at home, he’s the man to call.

- Closing sentiment: The story wraps with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the journey, as well as pride in the personal and professional milestones achieved. The speaker seems to recognize the significance of the life story he’s sharing, both for himself and for the audience.

From Perth to Sydney

With Alison - owner of 3 businesses

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The speaker grew up in Perth and describes a clear career-focused move to Sydney. After studying marketing in Perth, they recognized that progression in their field would be faster by relocating. They landed a role in a big blue‑chip company (Unilever in sales) and then transitioned into a marketing position in Sydney, where the company relocated them across the country. The move was aligned with a long‑term goal: relocation as part of a career path, with a strong package and graduate‑progression opportunities. The shift proved successful professionally, even if the personal side was daunting.

In addition to career moves, the speaker built and runs three interrelated businesses. Relauncher is their primary venture and focuses on one‑to‑one business coaching, podcasting, and content creation, along with other elements. Sticky Studio is a graphic design and branding studio. The third business, Real Brand Agency, is a larger branding entity that also includes videography and other branding services. All three operate online, enabling remote work with a broad client base across eastern Australia. While mostly online, some projects require in‑person engagement, allowing for both remote delivery and face‑to‑face connections as needed.

Welcome to The Just Go Project.

In this introductory episode, the host shares the story behind the podcast and how living in cities like London, Singapore, Seoul, and Sydney shaped a desire to live differently — and elsewhere.

You’ll discover the format of the show: short interviews with people who live abroad, covering why they chose their city, how visas worked, the challenges they faced, how they make a living, and the tips they wish they had known before moving.

Upcoming episodes will feature stories from Bangkok, Sydney, and Tokyo — so if you live there or are thinking about making the move, stay tuned.