Member – Page 12 – EuroCircle

Austin – Gary Spirer, Author of Crowdfunding: The Next Big Thing

January 13, 2014/in Member/by christophe

Gary Spirer – what do you think about life?

When I reflect on life, I ask myself did I live my life to the fullest and will I leave the world a better place for having existed.Life is bitter sweet.It’s not fair and full of unknowns and mystery. We all get dealt different hands and it’s what we do with them that makes for adventure and hardship if you believe in free will.

Somewhere, I don’t know exactly when, it struck me that you make a choice to be or not to be. The “to be” people have a zest for life. They face the slings and arrows of their destiny but they keep moving forward. They make things happen. They don’t have to be financially rich but rich in character, love and spirit. The “not-to-be” people somewhere deep within their psyche give up on life. They surrender. They are like Marlon Brando’s Terry in “On the Waterfont” : “You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it.” The not-to-bes life is lived in a rear view mirror like Terry.

The question becomes when you look back on your life what are your regrets? We all have them. I would surmise that most of us probably imagine at times a life where we could take what we know now and again be 15 or 20 years old. But, since we can’t go back in time, it’s the regrets that our life didn’t turn out to be near what we had dreamed or expected. These regrets can turn into a sense of disillusionment. Our regrets and disillusionment become ingredients that we pour into the cauldron of our lives and mix with our courage and fears to forge our character, soul and being.

My litmus test is can I live my life with all its emotional ups and downs, all the hype, all the masks and still not be cynical? To me, cynicism is when life becomes a deadening monochrome. People exist only for their own interests as Thomas Hobbes describes in “Leviathan” and there is no social contract that binds together the community of man.
I feel you need luck in life and I am grateful that my luck is to be an optimist.I see the world through the lens of the glass
being more half full. Every time I have started to feel down someone serendipitously appears to guide me. That’s the Spirit that makes life worth living.

Can you give us some professional background on yourself and some of your accomplishments?

To the world, my life has some accomplishments: NYU Literature Award, Phi Beta Kappa, MBA Columbia University, Lazard Freres real estate affiliate, owner of Capital Hill Group (investment banking firm; FINRA member); one half billion in real estate transactions; capital-raising expert.

The real accomplishments that resonate with me: two daughters; a wonderful girlfriend; a mom going on 92; a passion for ideas; a desire to find patterns and principles that repeat throughout life; a semi-pro baseball player; a poet and novelist; and love for teaching others how to reach their dreams.

I often wonder about the road not taken. At NYU, I turned down a Wilson Scholarship for literature and I was runner up for a Rhodes Scholarship in Literature. I decided to go to NYU Law School. I left after a year and taught literature at Wagner JR High School (Upper West Side in Manhattan) for a year to kids bused in from Harlem. Then went to Columbia Business School (MBA in Finance) where I chaired the investment banking class and researched two articles – one appeared in Harvard Business Review since the professor for who I did the research graduated from there.

From business school, I went to work for an investment banking firm Lazard Freres’ real estate affiliate.I had the good fortune to receive mentoring from Andre Meyer, the senior partner and patriarch of Lazard Freres. Meyer counseled former president Lyndon Johnson and the Kennedy family money. His net worth in today’s dollars would be in the billions. Having learned money-raising,investment and business-building secrets from my mentor Meyer,I left Lazard Freres to test them out. Ironically, what I learned worked too well when it came to making money. Over the next two years, I entered two partnerships to syndicate real estate. Each partnership ended within a year. I made each of my two other partners way too much money. They decided I would leave them since my share amounted to millions of dollars-that was thirty plus years ago dollars.They kept my share of the money and interests in the buildings that we were to own together..

From those very difficult experiences,I found myself with little money and a young child crying in the next room to support. I borrowed $15,000 and put myself into the money raising and business-building business.

You wanted to become an author and we know your new book just came out shortly. Please give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

Title: Crowdfunding The Next Big Thing. Tagline: Money-raising Secrets Of The Digital Age.

Cover.4320408.indd

Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

The audience are investors in early-stage companies and those seeking capital such as creative-types, small businesses, intra-preneurs in corporate America, small entrepreneurs and those entrepreneurs who want to create the next Google, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.There are five major money-raising strategies laid out for each of these groups and how these strategies can be applied step-by-step to their specific needs for capital.What makes the book compelling is understanding how , when and why to use different strategies to get the most favorable terms from investors and what investors should look for to avoid being hyped or even defrauded. Then, readers learn how social, mobile and the web can be used to build traffic, audiences, influence, evangelists and a money machine that creates income and wealth by following the various models that simplify the money-raising mystique.

How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

Crowdfunding covers the next big thing which is raising capital using the web,social and mobile. The Internet has transformed everything it has touched and will do the same for money raising. The next big thing is all the industries that will grow to support those who want to raise money from crowds. To succeed at crowdfunding, you will need web pages, copy, videos, social media, mobile and content marketing and advertising.

Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

The cover art shows all the different services and connections that make up crowdfunding and the winners get the thumbs up sign. During the entire money-raising process, you have a series of go or no go decisions. In the end, you need a thumbs up by either venture capitalists, super angel investors, angel capital networks or the every-day investor when crowdfunding equity is allowed to go live

What is your favorite part of your book and why?

I really like every part of the book. My favorite part was showing how all the puzzle pieces of money-raising fit together and which of the five money-raising strategies I laid out you should use-how, when and why. Then how money-raising works with social, mobile and the web. I reveal secrets of how the experts drive traffic, get sales ready leads for their products and convert to them to sales.I show how investors are also your customers and how to similarly target them,develop leads as to who they are and how to close them so everyone feels that they made a good deal

Give us an a few interesting facts about your book

Crowdfunding is not new. Neighbors came together to help each other and donate money and services to get projects such as homes built in Revolutionary times Crowdfunding was used to raise money for the Statue of Liberty. Crowdfunding in modern times was used by rock groups to finance tours.In 1997, a British rock band funded their reunion tour through online donations from fans. Inspired by this innovative method of financing, ArtistShare became the first dedicated crowdfunding platform in 2000. Shortly thereafter, more crowdfunding platforms began to emerge, and the crowdfunding industry has grown consistently each year.

Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

I have an eclectic background .I like to find repeating patterns and principles to model and simplify complex subjects so readers learn valuable short cuts. I like to take business and investment subjects and turn them into fun reading experience by adding a lot of stories and case studies. The novelist and screen writing part of me wants to make my books page turners as if you were reading a thriller. I have written a Wall Street thriller that I want to publish soon.Having been in the film business, I wrote it to be made into a movie.I love athletics and I have a passion for teaching.Giving back will always be an avocation.

How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

CrowdfundingTheNextBigThing.com, Linkedin, Facebook, EuroCircle.com or DilogR.com

What can we expect from you in the future?

I have written an entire series of courses on money-raising that goes into more detail on the current Crowdfunding The Next Big Thing book. Then I have books and lessons on business building once you raise the initial money or follow on capital via Series A,B,C rounds. I have raised over $60 million in equity directly from investors – $125 million in current dollars

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Share it with others so they can read it and make their dreams come true as well.

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

Publishing a book is a collaborative process that manufactures a thing in physical or digital form or both. The real challenge is having the discipline to test your idea/solution with potential readers before you write the book.The initial goal is to get their feedback as to whether your idea/solution provides enough value that they would purchase your book. Next, successful books not only have to be remarkable in all aspects but they have to be marketed strategically. Marketing is an ongoing conversation that you must initiate by creating awareness. I cover this within the Crowdfunding The Next Big Thing showing that marketing is really story-telling.To succeed, you must engage,entertain and educate. There are four levels of conversations or marketing strategies that you must incorporate into every thing you present. You must be an artist/designer and a scientist/data expert at the same time you find the right marketing messages , create your unique selling proposition and insert it to deliver successful presentations, pitches, campaigns and build a platform and a following

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Too many people think money-raising is creating a business plan. That’s the last step not the first step to get money. Crowdfunding starts way before you go live on a crowdfunding site.

What do you do nowadays and where do you live?

I moved with my Finnish girlfriend to Austin in 2009 from New York City – I am a New Yorker who decided to change his lifestyle. I was born on Long Island, lived years in Manhattan (last few years right across from the Lincoln Center), Westchester and a few years in Boca Raton. I really felt like I needed to have a little more relaxed lifestyle. Now we live in downtown Austin, about 10 min walk from Congress Avenue along the lake. Living downtown right on the water is the best thing about living here. If you ask my girlfriend she would say we work more than ever – writing a book, having a start-up software company etc. But we both like Austin very much and have met such wonderful people via EuroCircle. However, my girlfriend HATES the summers in Austin, she dreams about Finland during those super hot months in Austin (90s-100s in FA, 30s-40s Celsius) this past summer we went to her home in Finland. Her sisters, brother and mother are some of the nicest people I have ever met and makes me a very lucky guy with my family to boot.

Connect with Gary Spirer:

Amazon Kindle(and print): www.amazon.com/Crowdfunding-Next-Thing-Gary-Spirer-ebook/dp/B00HQ7JZOM/
EuroCircle members special offer: 40 % discounted paperback plus three bonuses (free S & H):
Get the Discounted Book Here
Update July 2014 – Gary’s new ebook Crowdfunding: The Winning Formula on Amazon (introduction to raising capital/crowdfunding)
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/garyspirer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/garyspirer
Company website: www.Dilogr.com

Article: Wall Street Journal: Real-Estate Crowdfunding Finds Its Footing April 14 2014

San Francisco – Hanna Sophie Simmons and www.Expatstudy.com, German PhD

December 31, 2013/in Member/by christophe

Hanna told me what she was researching and I wanted to help her to get the word out for her PhD – the topic is close to many of our members. Her research project www.Expatstudy.com on the relationship between expatriation and career success!! Does it help or hurt your career to expatriate… by the way, click on the photo above and you see her face…

Tell us about yourself- who are you and what is the “short story” of your life?

My name is Hanna Sophie Simmons and I was born and raised in Germany. My parents are avid travelers and took my 3 siblings and I all over the world from a very young age. This instilled in us an open-mindedness to other cultures and customs, which I am very grateful for. We simply aren’t afraid of new adventures and the experience of new places. Between High School and College I travelled to Hawaii, where I bumped into a handsome American guy at a party. Little did I know we would shortly thereafter move to North Carolina together where I would finish up my Master’s degree in American Studies, Rhetoric and Newer German Literature which I had started in Tuebingen, Germany. From there I was off to Denver, where my husband completed his MBA. We then travelled back to Germany and moved to Munich for 5 years, where I started and finished my second Master’s degree in Psychology of Excellence in Business and Education at the University of Munich (LMU) and had my first daughter. We were off then to beautiful San Francisco where we had our second daughter and I started my PhD remotely for the University of Munich (LMU).

Do you think living in other countries in any way enhances your work and life experience?

I firmly believe that I would not be the same person, had I not married a person from a different country, culture and mindset, and left Germany two years ago to start a different life with him and my little family. It is not easy starting over in a new country with a toddler and a baby bump, leaving behind people you love and who support you, building a new social network and at the same time trying to have a successful career of your own. I believe that the struggles we had to overcome as a family, the not-giving-up mentality we have formed, the understanding we had to learn for each other and the unconditional support we have built for each other has not only enriched my life, but has also had a positive effect on my work ethics. I used to think how much easier my life would be in Germany, where my mum would happily babysit the kids and I would have the safety of a more interactive and structured PhD program. Now, two years into it, I think about all the ideas I would not have had, all the moments I would not have shared, and all the independence and strong-willed-ness I would not have developed had I not stepped out of my safety-zone.

Tell us about your PhD research you are currently doing and why did you choose this topic?

Expatstudy.com is a research project on the relationship between expatriation and career success. The question of whether spending time working abroad boosts or hinders your career has been with me long before I started my PhD, but regained prominence when picking a topic to investigate deeper. I have always had a passion for people, their ideas, motives and goals on the one hand, and for business on the other. So figuring out if and why people think working abroad is a good or bad idea with regards to their future career combined these two interests of mine and guaranteed an exciting research process. At the moment I am collecting data and invite everyone to visit www.Expatstudy.com . The best thing about my research is that I am examining the topic from various angles and thus EVERYONE can participate (no matter if you are currently on assignment, have returned from one or have never worked abroad at all). It is my goal to help better inform those who are debating whether or not to relocate for work, as well as their companies, with up-to-date and relevant data.

What is THE thing about San Francisco that captivates you the most vs. other places you have lived in?

Apart from its absolutely stunning scenery and incredible portfolio of activities, the Bay Area still surprises me sometimes with its liberal approach. Live and let live seems to be a mantra here with most people. The homeless lady living in front of our supermarket donates all the money she collects, and does not need to satisfy her most basic needs, to charity. She is valued as a part of our neighborhood. The playground communication is a mix of at least 5 languages. This year we celebrated Hanukah with our neighbors to then go and pick out Christmas ornaments together. Where I at her age asked for Pasta, my 3 year-old request Pad Thai, Sushi or Indian curries for dinner. I feel like we live in a place where we not only coexist with other cultures, but also truly live with them and I feel like it makes our kids smarter than we were at their age. How else do you explain that my 3 year-old already figured out that Santa is “only pretend” based on the fact that out of the three she met this year, one was Japanese, one was African-American and one had bright red hair?

What do you do in San Francisco when you feel like you just want to chill out that you cannot do in another city?

What many visitors don’t recognize about the bay area is how many Microclimates we live in and that each has its own special qualities. We receive daily and hourly variations of sunlight, fog, wind, rain, heat, cool, summer, winter, spring and fall. In England they say: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a few minutes!” Here they say: “If you don’t like the weather walk a few miles!” There is always a beach within reach to relax at, or a curbside cafe to catch up with friends at. The challenge is to find it.

What really annoys you about San Francisco?

Coming from a very safe environment (I didn’t even know what mugging was and thought shootings happened in movies until I was in my teens), I can’t stand that some areas here seem really safe, but then walk down a block or two and the street is closed due to a shooting. Thinking about my girls one day being out there at night by themselves scares me. The other thing that has repeatedly ticked me off is that with most blessings there seems to come a curse. The great Microclimates are due to the shifting of the tectonic plates, which also could evoke the next big earthquake. The fact that people are so open and communicative leads to random people giving you (sometimes unwanted) advice, like the lady handing out flyers to mother’s saying “Your baby wants to be held facing inward!”

What do you miss most from Germany? And what not, as we all have stuff we do not like about our country?

I miss my family and my friends. I miss the love and support I could receive from them directly, as compared to over the phone. I miss being there for them in critical situations and sharing the happy moments in life with them. I miss their influence in my children’s lives, their hugs, their kisses, and their simply being there.

With regards to food, there is really not much that I miss, as we have an amazing supermarket, Trader Joes, just around the corner (which is Aldi North) and therefore get many of the German delicacies such as Rittersport Chocolates, Christstollen, Pfeffernuesse, or Spekulatius for almost the same price.

What I definitely don’t miss about Germany is the long, grey, muddy winter and unpredictable summer. I love sunshine and I love being outside. We would definitely not have bought our kids an outdoor playhouse for Christmas and told them we would assemble it before New Years if we still lived in Germany.

What do you think about the cost of living in San Francisco?

When we first moved to America, I pictured us living in our own beautiful house, with luscious garden and big French doors overlooking the Bay. I was determined to send our daughters to the excellent German private school here, where you can even do your German Abitur. Reality check? We live in a two-bedroom apartment (It’s good the kids are close in age) and between daycare, health insurance, and the insane rent we pay, even families with two incomes struggle to make it work. Life is expensive here. Going an hour ice-skating last night ended up being 60$ (15$ for adults and 10$ for children (age didn’t matter) plus rental fees for the fun Seal you push around to not fall over. A 2-bedroom apartment in a decent area is never under $2500/month and there is no government support for parents (in Germany you receive monthly money for each kid you have plus a high percentage of your former income for at least one year if you stay home with a child). School doesn’t start until you are at least 5 years, but in contrast to Germany, preschool or kindergarten isn’t free…it is expensive. Oh, and don’t get me started on Healthcare!

What is the biggest difference between studying in America and Germany?

In Germany, studying at a University is (now again) free. You have to get accepted into the desired program, but after that all you have to worry about is finishing your class work and covering your living expenses. Once you have completed your degree, you are usually debt free (except of maybe a little debt to BARFOEG or relatives).
In America, going to college is one of the biggest expenses you will face in your life. An undergraduate degree from a public university easily costs you up to $20,000 per year (double or triple that for private schools), not including room and board. Thus, I feel like the critical time in life when you are trying to figure out what you want to do in your life and who you want to be (I took classes in subjects that now I have nothing to do with anymore at all), is in the U.S. dominated by having to be done fast (as to not spend more money), as well as having to start out your business life already many thousands of dollars in student-loan debt.

On the upside, during my time at Chapel-Hill, I really felt like the school was a service provider trying to make your life easier and your abilities shine. Where I had to write literally fifteen emails to professors in Germany to get a response or not, at Chapel Hill, professors could be called or emailed day and night with a guaranteed response within the next 24 hours (yes, also at Semester-breaks). There was an assigned staff-member for everything (e.g. housing questions, academic support questions, psychological questions: anxiety, depression, work-life balance), and an incredible array of extra-curricular activities.

If money wasn’t an issue – how would you live your life and where? What would you like to do for work if you could choose any job?

If money wasn’t an issue, I would do exactly what I am doing now: Being part of the most incredible family, raising two beautiful girls and trying to answer research questions that matter to me, trying to improve the life of others. I would live right here (though maybe in my own house with a second place in Munich for vacation…oh and a real garden).

Connect with Hanna Sophie Simmons:
Website: www.Expatstudy.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Expatstudycom
LinkedIn: de.linkedin.com/pub/hanna-sophie-simmons/17/390/97
At the moment Hanna needs our help to collect data and she invites everyone to visit www.Expatstudy.com

Austin – Jer Rem, Dutch with a British Employer in Austin, TX

December 25, 2013/in Member/by christophe

EuroCircle will have its 15th Anniversary in Jan 2014 and celebrate it at the Netherland Club of New York City. To honor the Dutch we decided to interview other Dutch members in different cities. Jer actually attended the first EuroCircle Austin event in November 2010 @ The Austonian.

Tell us about yourself – who are you and what would be the short story of your life?

My name is Jer Rem, I’m originally from the Netherlands. I received my bachelor’s degree in Marketing there. During my education, I also spent a year studying and working in the UK. In 2001 I was relocated to Los Angeles for my work and in 2006 I moved to Austin, still working for the same employer, but now working remotely. In those 7 years I have lived in different parts of the city. Currently, I live in Round Rock with my fiancée Samara and our two dogs.

We know that your work is very important for you – could you tell us more about you work and what makes you “tick” workwise…

I work for BT (British Telecommunication) as an application manager. Due to the international environment of my employer, I deal with co-workers from all over the world. It is an interesting blend of technology and cultures.

What is THE thing/s about Austin captivates you the most? If someone asked you what they should NOT miss while in Austin, what would reply? And what I really SHOULD miss….

Things not to miss in Austin are South Congress, especially on a Sunday stroll, maybe for some brunch at Perla’s or South Congress Café and do some people watching. Going for a run or walk around Town Lake. Both Town Lake and Lake Travis are some nice places to cool off during the summer.
Having lived most of my life in Europe, I am not into American Football, just the real football. As a result, I am not much into the tailgating or watching the Football games.

What really annoys you about Austin – or maybe nothing does? Netherlands..same question?

What really annoys me about Austin? It has been mentioned before by others, the lack of public transportation. Another thing that annoys me sometimes is the overuse of “keep Austin weird”. I get it, but it doesn’t mean you have to show up in shorts and flip flops for a fancy dinner.

What do you miss most from The Netherlands or Europe…in addition to the family and friends? Food, culture, life style…

I do miss my family and friends, but through Eurocircle I have met some people that have become some of my best friends.
Of course you cannot beat the bbq from here, but I do miss the diversity of food in Austin. Luckily there are constantly new restaurants and food trailers opening here offering new types of food. What I do not miss from the Netherlands is the weather. Even with the heat in summer, it is still nice to be able to wake up in the morning with bright blue skies, plus you do not need to plan ahead about bringing an overcoat or umbrella.

Do you have a favorite Austin/area restaurant?

I think Justine’s and Estância Churrascaria would be my favorites. Both of them are just something different and are able to deliver some of their culture to the plate besides tasty food.

What do you think about the cost of living in the Netherlands vs Austin, TX – and the standard of life and life style?

In the US, it is generally cheaper to live than in the Netherlands. The price of real estate was one of the main reasons for me to move from Los Angeles to Austin. Besides real estate, the day to day items are in general are cheaper here as well. Take for example a gallon of gas. It is almost 3 times more expensive in the Netherlands. I have noticed that people tend to go out for food more often here, especially fast food. While in the Netherlands it is more common to eat at home, or at least that is what I recall from 12 years ago.

If you could change something about Austin – what would it be?

It would be nice to have more of a patio culture as you see in Europe. You see this happening on Rainey Street more and more but is of course limited due to the heat in summertime.

What are the biggest misconceptions (or perceptions that turned out to be correct) you had about Texas when you moved here– and vice versa you think many of us have about the Dutch/Amsterdam/food etc?

I guess the misconception that I had about Texas before I moved to the US, was that I thought it would be a flat desert like you see in western movies. Fortunately, the Hill Country proved me wrong.
I have met some people here(outside of the EuroCircle) that think when I say I am Dutch that I am from Denmark or that Copenhagen is the capitol of the Netherlands or Amsterdam is all about coffee shops and red-light district. Sure, just like all people over here wear cowboy boots and ride horses……..

If there are some things you think everyone should know about the Dutch people, country, food, culture, drinks, music – what are those things to you personally? I don’t even know how many Dutch people are here in Austin, do you??

To be honest, I have no statistics on how many Dutch people live here, but there are quite a few. After living here for 7 years I still run into new Dutch people. Obviously, you will have exchange students coming over here to UT and the tech industry here in Austin attracts them as well. A sure place to find Dutch people will be at Fado’s during the upcoming World Cup. There is a group on Facebook called “Austin Dutch Club” that started about year and a half ago and has about 70+ members.

Anything else you feel you’d like to share with us about Austin or yourself? Plan to stay here….

I would like to recommend everyone to come the monthly events, it is a nice informal way of meeting new people, plus having these events at different establishments provides you with an opportunity to see new places in Austin as well.

Connect with Jer Rem:
Jer at EuroCircle: www.eurocircle.com/community/user/157051-jer-rem/
Jer at Facebook: www.facebook.com/jerphaas
Jer at LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/jer-rem/2/76a/10b

New York – Musician & Actress Tres Hanley-Millman

December 13, 2013/in Member/by christophe

Tres, please introduce yourself so our group gets to know you a bit more.

My name is Tres Hanley-Millman. I guess like most involved with EuroCircle I call more than one country home. I was born in NJ – just outside NYC, I grew up between there and London. For me London and NY are the two greatest cities in the world and I am blessed to call them both home. My career as an actress has primarily been in the UK but I’ve worked pretty much internationally. My first professional TV job was on soap. I had just dropped out of the Julliard School where I was a voice major. I was being pushed into doing Opera -which was not where my heart was. So I jumped ship when I had the opportunity. I did do many musicals though, which I enjoyed but the touring got to be a bit draining. I went over to London for a break and I was cast in 2 hr TV Drama. Pretty much then decided I was going to stay and my career really blossomed from there.

Your bio says that you were a protegee of Leonard Bernstein. What was it like working with him?

I was very lucky to be chosen by him to sing the role of Cunegonde in “Candide” in concert. It was one of the last Great Composer series at Lincoln Center. He conducted. It was not long before he passed away. I think at the time I was too young to understand him or comprehend the grandness of what I was involved in. I just knew he was very encouraging to us all. When I think back on it I can’t believe that I wasn’t terrified! There is an arrogance that comes with youth. I get nervous now just thinking about it! I wonder… how did I do that?

What are your biggest musical achievements in your career?

Probably that, working with Lenny. I sort of stepped away from music when my acting career took off. Though I did some film work with some big names, for the most part, my success/fame really grew from TV. I also had a big fan base in other parts of Europe for a Bacardi campaign that I had done. I never really made a mark as a singer as I did as an actress. But then I had sort of left that behind. Though I continued to do a few musicals and concerts in Europe now and then. I only got back involved in music after getting married. In 2005 I did a Broadway compilation album called TRES BROADWAY. Which did very well. After that I teamed up with an Asian rapper named BURCH to record a European dance single called “Dance of the Euro Diva”. That was a pretty cool thing. Talk about an international project. You had me singing with an Asian rapper with music was by Eric Serra who is French (who originally wrote the piece for the film “The 5th Element”). It was never released in the USA. It was pretty much everywhere else though. It did really well in some countries – not so well in others. It’s interesting thing how some things will fly in one country but not another.

Outside of music what are your passions?

Well my husband of course! And dark chocolate!
Other than that it would be animals. I’m what most would call an animal activist. I’m a big supporter of closing down puppy mills, adopting instead of breeding. If people want a specific breed, check with pure breed rescue instead of buying. I loved that Oprah did a show a few years back on how all pet stores sell mill or back yard bred pups. But still it’s not been enough and these stores still exist. Even here in NYC. It’s horrible. We need to stop it. I’m passionate about that, along rescue and ending animal testing. I also run an all info website www.caninecare.org which shares info on food, vaccines and more. I have a few friends who are vets who spill the beans on what you really should and should not do for your pets. Our facebook page lists recalls and more as they happen. I hope people with pets will check it out.

We see that you have a new album out congratulations! Can you tell us more about this album?

Yes! It’s called A SIREN’S ODYSSEY. It’s an autobiographical song cycle. The orchestrations by Daniel Moctezuma are magical. If you like soundtracks and musicals, you will love this. Some new twists on covers as well as some great original material from international composers.

Reviews:
independentmusicnews24.com/tres-hanley-millman-a-sirens-odyssey-for-those-who-think-out-of-the-box/
selloutrecords.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-sirens-odyssey-by-tres-hanley-millman.html

What was your inspiration for it?

So many people are out there looking for their forever love. I used my own journey as a base to tell the story. That’s why we call it A SIREN’S ODYSSEY. It’s based on the theory we all have 3 loves in our life. Our 1st love, the one we think is love that nearly destroys us and then our destiny – true love. I think it’s something most can identify with more or less.

What are your favorite places in the New York City and why?

I hate to say this but all my favorite places are all in London!
But if I had to say what place I like most in NYC – well I think, as an artist, Lincoln Center Library is amazing. I can spend a whole day there. Also the idea that you also can see an old Broadway Musical there on tape for free is amazing to me. As to my favorite place for dinner, well being a vegetarian, I love Candle Café West and Candle 79. And a treat is having Banofee Pie at Bubby’s in Tribeca. It’s a British treat and it’s the best I’ve ever had. If they are out of it, their Banana Cream Pie is a fabulous back up! And I have to say Central Park cause our dogs love it so much.

Outside of music what do you like to do for fun?

My husband Paul Millman (who is an architect and engineer) and I are renovating our weekend retreat. It was once the weekend home Sergei Rachmaninoff. Right now our focus is on the renovation. It’s a 9 acre farm on a river. Though it’s only an hour from NYC when we are there we feel a million miles away. The original 2 rooms of the house were built in 1760 and it was expanded in 1856. It’s what we do for fun right now! Though when it’s done – then we’ll finally get to really enjoy it’s as it’s a bit stressful as well as fun. It’s actually got an amazing history. Ties to George Washington as well as Rachmaninoff. And of course we love to travel. It’s so wonderful to have friends in all parts of the world as many EuroCircle members know.

Other than London and NY what is your favorite European City?

Wow that’s a tough one. We love Paris and go often. We just got back from Nerja in the Costa Del Sol which I fell in love with But that’s not really a city. I have too many places I love! Ravello, Italy – again not really a city, is up there along with Prague, Copenhagen, Vienna… I just can’t pick one. Pretty much every place I’ve been, I fell in love with something about it. Probably one of the most amazing places is Azure Window in Malta. Then there are so many magical places, Lake Bled. So much of Slovenia and Switzerland is gorgeous. And there is a restaurant in Tallinn that I dream about going back to. I wish that wasn’t so far! And Budapest at this time of year, well, I think about their Kürtőskalács aka Chimney Cakes. OMG they are so amazing! The world is full of so many amazing places- my list could go on and on. And that’s just Europe!

How long have you been a EuroCircle member?

I was introduced to EuroCirle through my husband, when we were first dating back in Dec 2001. He hosted a wine event for the group. I was so excited to know about it. So great for all of us who are truly international citizens!

How can our members get in touch with you, buy your album?

Through my website www.treshanley.com or through my facebook page which you can find through my website. All profits for my music go to animal rescue groups as well as charities for HIV and the visually impaired.

Tres Hanley website: www.treshanley.com
CanineCare.org: www.caninecare.org

Austin – Katerina Aman from Ukraine

November 30, 2013/in Member/by christophe

Tell us about yourself- who are you and what would be the short story of your life?

Hi, My name is Katerina Aman. First of all, let me start by saying thank you for picking me to be a member of the month for EuroCircle. It is a wonderful organization that has brought lots of new friends into my life and a ton of fun experience throughout the events that it holds here in Austin.

I come from a small town of Kerch in Ukraine, located in the eastern part of the Crimean peninsula by the Black Sea.

My city is of the most ancient cities in the world. There are plenty of various historical and architectural monuments and memorials of different historical periods and cultures on the territory of the city, it is truly magnificent and captivating for one to visit.

Since I was six years old it was discovered that I have a talent to learn foreign languages and my Mom immediately placed me in one of the best
schools in town to learn English. She believed that that could probably help me have a better life one day. I graduated at the top of my class with straight As across the board. I have participated in various regional competitions (Olympiads) and won multiple awards. In 1994 I took part in TOEFL exam in Kiev and was chosen to go to the US to study in an American high school for a full year. Unfortunately due to unstable political situation in Crimea, sponsors on US side declined this opportunity.

I entered Kuban Sate University in 1996, faculty of Oriental languages and later department of linguistics. In 2000 I was finally able to fulfill my dream and come to this wonderful country through CAMPUSA program for students. I worked a full summer for AHRC organization in NY and had completely fell in love with the people, life, and possibilities that I could have if I were born in USA instead of USSR.

I was invited and sponsored to come back on the same program the following year. It was 2001. I was in upstate New York when Sept 11th happened. I felt so much pain, anger, grief and loss. I felt like I had been hurt in a way as well. I felt I was part of All Americans.. Now I reside here in Austin with my husband Greg and our son and I am finally living my American Dream.

We know that your family is very important for you – could you tell us more about them and your family life/traditions?

My husband and Nickolas are everything to me – they are my little world, my life revolves around the two of them and I hope for more children in the near future. Kids are the reason of our existence. I feel that my biggest accomplishment in life was to complete myself as a woman by becoming a mother and I strive to be the best parent I can and to raise our child to be a good citizen of its country with right values and firm believes in what’s right and what’s wrong. I was brought up very strictly, my grades at school were excellent, although parents were in principal’s office quite often for my not so excellent behavior. I had every day chores that had to be done
without expecting any kind of praise in return. My Mother is a very strong willed person that did her best to raise two daughters and give them
education in a country that was not so easy to live in to begin with. She checked my homework every night, I had numerous tutors and I was signed up for classes anywhere from ballet, art school, tennis, ballroom dancing, you name it. I admire home stay Moms here among my friends and family, who spend all their time with children, take them to various classes and are heavily involved in their upbringing, it is very important to me. I am very thankful to my Mom for the person I have grown to be and I only hope Nickolas would feel the same about me when he grows up.

I miss my home very much and therefore a have a tradition here in Austin – it is our annual gathering of friends at our house for a traditional Russian meal. I cook usually for three days before that and it is a true feast for stomachs and souls, not so much for liver. 🙂

I speak Russian to my son, I want him to always remember where his Mother and grandparents are from and hopefully speak the language fluently.

What is THE thing/s about Austin captivates you the most?

This city is very fit. I mean, there is not enough pavement in my neighborhood on a Saturday morning for all the healthy lifestyle fans of jogging, biking or strolling! I work out five times a week and my workouts are very versatile from yoga to kickboxing, running and swimming. Some of my friends motivate me to try classes that are absolutely insane, but I like to stay fit and healthy so I always follow all the health and fitness news that my friends tell me. I am thinking about joining my husband and his biking hobby, he got very good at it and is getting ready for his first triathlon next spring.

Another thing that I love about Austin is music of course and it’s ACL festival. I love art and this form of it is the most dearest and
entertaining to me.

I like people here, they smile most of the time, they have a positive outlook on life and it gets contagious. When you surround yourself with
happy, positive people you become one too!

If someone asked you what I should NOT miss while in Austin, what would reply? And what I really SHOULD miss….

I’d say definitely visit Auditorium shores, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs Pool, State Capitol, UT, museums, etc. There is a lot to see.

At night time I would pay a visit to 6th street, Pete’s piano bar, Elephant Room if you love jazz, Austin Lyric Opera for a maximum classic
entertainment: whatever your heart desires Austin has it, including numerous restaurants of very good authentic cuisines from all over the world. That’s something I have never experienced while living in Russia.

What you really should miss is walking underneath Congress Avenue Bridge, those free-tailed bats make up for quite memorable trail of smell. And try to miss traffic on Mopac and I-35 in the evenings, other than that, Austin has no other drawbacks.

Anything truly memorable that has happened to you since you have lived in Austin?

This year I ran my first marathon here in Austin. It was quite a tough experience, since I did it with a stroller. I also met a great group of people through EuroCircle, some of them became close friends.

What really annoys you about Austin – or maybe nothing does?

There is nothing that annoys me about it, it’s a perfect little city to live
in. It has a tendency to have some weird people on the streets sometimes but
that’s what also makes it unique.

What do you miss most from your country or Europe…in addition to the family and friends?

I miss country side.. Birch trees, rivers, Crimean mountains, the Black Sea. I miss singing folk songs with my grandparents. I miss camping with tents and mushroom/berry picking with my Mom and Dad. I am very outdoorsy as you can tell:)

Do you have a favorite Austin/area restaurant? Why…. what is the good and bad about restaurant in your opinion in Austin.

My favorite restaurant is Maudie’s Milagros on 360. Their food and service are always consistent. Best Margaritas in my opinion.

Where and how would you live in Austin or elsewhere if money is not an obstacle – compared to how you live now or would you stay where you are? Why?

If money were not an obstacle, I would have an ocean front house somewhere in San Diego as a vacation home. Water is my second “air”; I can’t live without it. But I am happy where I am, there are lakes here as well and the Gulf of Mexico is only couple hours away.

What do you think about the cost of living in Europe vs Austin, TX – and the standard of life and life style?

Sometimes I compare costs of necessary items with my grandmother who lives in Ukraine and she is always shocked to hear that everything costs pretty much the same here and there, although her pension is 20 times less.

I think people have different social ladders here and there, and therefore they have different life styles. It is all about how much money you make and what you can afford regardless whether you live in Russia or here in the US.

I also have self made professional business owners among my girlfriends whom I am very proud of. I think to achieve what they did here would have been practically impossible if they were to start such ventures in Russia.

If you could change something about Austin – what would it be?

For the most part the city is very clean but it could use more trash cans in
public places. And of course parking downtown needs to get better.

Anything else you feel you’d like to share with us about Austin or yourself?

I plan to stay here… I don’t see myself living anywhere else. I am planning on staying and raising my children here with my husband.

I would love to go to cooking school one day as I am a great cook and love it but there is a lot of room for growth and perfection!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that climate is very suitable for me as well. Although I come from Russia, I am very cold intolerant: So yes, I am staying where I am 🙂

Thank you and have a wonderful holiday season 2013.

Connect with Katerina Aman:

EuroCircle: eurocircle.com/community/user/163697-katerina-aman/
Facebook: facebook.com/katya.aman

Istanbul – Marc Guillet (Netherlands) Reporting from Istanbul

November 19, 2013/in Member/by christophe

Who Is Marc Guillet – and what does Marc do/where?

I am an all round and passionate reporter and publicist with 30+ years of experience in Muslim countries (specializing in Turkey and Iran) and the United States. Since 2006 I live in Istanbul where I cover major news events, as well as economic, social, political and religious trends in Turkey. When I’m not busy with working for the media I give presentations on the Turkish economy, politics, business culture and social media.

At what age did you know that you wanted to be a reporter/journalist?

From a very young age, I was interested in news. Especially in politics at home and abroad. I remember when president John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was ten then. And the day that Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. I wrote a paper in English in high school ‘When Black Power meets non-violence’. I read as many newspapers as I could get and was always busy with the news when my peers were doing other stuff. I was an activist as well and protested against the war in Vietnam and against the human rights abuses in Iran during the regime of the Shah. As a student I helped writing pamphlets and brochures. And I wrote letters to the editor of newspapers and op-ed pieces about Iran. I went to Tehran in July 1979, just after the Islamic Revolution, and worked there as a freelance reporter for a couple of weeks. I was still a student at the University of Amsterdam. I studied political science, international relations and modern history of the Middle East. After graduation from university I got a job as copy editor in 1982 at the foreign desk of the Dutch national news agency ANP, where I stayed for 5 years. In 1987 I joined the foreign desk of Algemeen Dagblad, a national newspaper in the Netherlands. From 1999 – 2006 I was posted as a full time correspondent in New York, covering the USA, and visited all 50 states. Since the Summer of 2006 I’m based as an independent reporter in Istanbul (Turkey).

What has been the most exciting story that you’ve covered during your career?

Reporting on the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and their aftermath. I was an eyewitness of an event that changed history. I was only two blocks away when the second of the Twin Towers collapsed. And I interviewed a lot of people – relatives of victims, rescue workers, and many others – who were affected by this traumatic event. In the weeks before the first anniversary of 9/11 A colleague and I wrote a series of stories on other traumatic events in the recent history of the United States since World War II. The first story was about the surprise military strike conducted by Japan against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.

Is there any particular story, an award or a moment throughout your career that you are proud of?

Absolutely, the publishing of my book ‘Exotic America’ (2006) – unfortunately in Dutch only – about aftermath of hurricane Katrina, 9/11, drilling for oil in Alaska, prom nights, gun control, abortion, death penalty, racism, gays, evangelicals, illegal immigration, the war on drugs, prison rodeos, square dancing with tractors and roller girls. One reviewer compared my book with ‘Notes from a Big Country’, or as it was released in the United States, ‘I’m a Stranger Here Myself’, by American writer Bill Bryson.o

What would you say is the biggest misconception that people have about your profession?

That journalists should be completely objective. Number one that is impossible, because reporters are human beings too, so they have their political views, they like and hate certain things, people or developments. The way editors and reporters select news stories is subjective as well. The New York Times has another selection of what is news and another way of writing about issues than The Wall Street Journal. Professional reporters want their stories to be interesting, balanced, informative, accurate, and compelling. Not all journalists have to strive for objectivity. Op-ed writers and columnists have the freedom to write biased, subjective pieces. Probably more people love to read those biased pieces, so they can write or make their own comments about them.

What do you enjoy most about doing what you do?

Meeting all different kinds of people and visiting all kinds of places are the best part of my profession. As a reporter I want to tell their stories. To get to know them, to find out what drives them. I’m not an office tiger but a stray dog in the way I report. My best stories are always about people I met

What have you found to be the biggest difference between the types of stories you covered in your own country, and the ones you currently report on in Istanbul?

Not much difference. I have always been working at a foreign desk, so reporting on foreign news was what I have been doing as a reporter all my life, also when I was based in the Netherlands.

Are there any stories that you hate to cover?

Stories about most celebrities, not all of them though. I wrote with pleasure about Bob Dylan in my book, about Louis Armstrong, Bruce Springsteen and others.

Do you ever get into disagreements /fights with other reporters, news teams or the governments?

Not all authorities like what I write. And I sometimes disagree with colleagues about their selection of news or presentation of news items in the paper.

What advice would you give to other aspiring journalists and reporters aiming for the stars in Muslim countries?

Just be professional and passionate about what you do and you will have success in any country..

What and who captivate you in the world of the Muslim countries– and why?

The story of what Egyptians call the October War and Israelis the Yom Kippur War of 1973. I wanted to know all about it, about the background, about the history of the Israelis and the Palestinians. It captivated me and was the reason why I started to study political science and the modern history of the Middle East. It is still one of the main stories of our time with new developments like the Arab Spring and the civil war in Syria. Fascinating to observe how citizens in Muslim countries try to develop democracy while struggling with autocratic regimes.

Since you are Dutch – must ask what do you miss most from the Netherlands – think you ever return to live back there? And how is the Dutch community in Turkey….

Long trips on my bicycle I miss most in Istanbul and my family of course. When I retire, 4 years from now, we want to move close to the Netherlands, to the city of Gent in Belgium. Then I want to go back to my roots, spend more time with family and friends and enjoy life. We have a couple of thousand of Dutchies in Turkey. I organize a networking event in Istanbul once a month for them as NLBorrels Istanbul.

What do you see the best about the Turkish culture/people vs. Dutch (or American)?

Dutch and American are very direct, straight, honest. People in Turkey prefer to be more polite, diplomatic when they discuss things with a client or a colleague.

The U.S. and the Netherlands are a ‘sorry’ culture. You admit a mistake and say sorry.

Turkey is an ‘honor and shame’ culture. Respect is very important. Most Turks try to avoid to admit a mistake, they prefer to blame something or somebody else, because if they admit a mistake their honor is damaged.
I love the friendship and hospitality in Turkey. And I admire the ambition and positive ‘can do’ mentality of the Americans and the Turks.

Anything else you would like to share with us?

I wrote a booklet with four self-guided walks tours in Istanbul. Two on the European and two on the Asian side of the Bosporus.
You will find them here on my website www.enjoy-istanbul.com/walking-2/strolling-through-istanbul-with-my-book/

The self-guided walks don’t cover any of the touristic highlights, but show expats and foreign tourists ‘my’ Istanbul. I will show you Istanbul like a local.

Connect with Marc Guillet:
Website: facebook.com/marc.guillet
LinkedIn: tr.linkedin.com/in/marcguillet
Website in English: www.turkeycorrespondent.com/
Website in Dutch: www.turkijecorrespondent.nl

Los Angeles – Ajay Babber, from London to Los Angeles

November 14, 2013/in Member/by christophe

I met Ajay years ago in Los Angeles at a movie premiere and we have stayed in touch on and off. For a while he was running the EuroCircle Los Angeles at the same time with Saran Ganesh who I believe is now in Boston.

Ajay, since the readers don’t necessarily know you, would you please introduce yourself a bit to get started in your own words. Who is Ajay?

I moved to LA working for a tech recruiting company in Pasadena in 1999. I was soon headhunted myself to open the USA office for a European Recruitment firm which I co managed for 5 years before starting my own business recruiting for the video and interactive games industry. I love technology and and as well as running 2 recruitment operations now I’m also involved in a handful of tech startups. I’m a father of 2 beautiful kids, photographer and all round technopreneur! Born in England and still speak English… the English way.

What do you enjoy most about LA, now when you have more experience, how’s the quality of life compared to the UK?

I actually tried to move back to England in 2005 and that idea lasted 3 months if that! I still support England in the World Cup but the weather, lifestyle, overall quality life, being in the technology center of the world – as well as the fact my kids are American (and so am I now) is what keeps me here.

Usually there are some negatives, what are the ones for Los Angeles that really stand out for you personally? What do you miss most about home?

Of course I miss my friends and family…. Will leave it at that 😉 Negatives? Lot’s of negatives as there are everywhere in the world but that’s a one on one conversation with anyone that wants one! The positives out way the negatives and that’s what counts

Do you feel LA is a good place for you as an entrepreneurs right now? Are there any areas expats like you might like in the USA in your opinion (entrepreneurs? Why?)

Absolutely, There’s a fresh type of energy in the city together with a craving for attention. Everyone appears to be someone important whether they are or not – which isn’t a bad thing… Kind of keeps you on top of your game. This somewhat means the golden ticket goes to the person who stands out the best. Self-promotion definitely exists and works in LA…. and you need to be able to self promote!

Which are your favorite places/suburbs to live in LA? Why?

Every city in LA County has it’s gems… That’s what geographically different in LA. It’s not just once city with everything to do in a 5 mile radius! You can be at the beach (many beach towns to choose from) downtown, the valley, westside and you’ll always find something to do.

Do you go out a lot – hobbies? Or is everything about work right now?

Hobbies definitely circle around work, but work doesn’t circle around the kids (well not always)… The pace is such that you’re always busy but that’s the way I like it

What’s the cost of living compared to UK? What is cheap or expensive in particular?

Being in recruitment and dealing with international relocation, you can’t compare your earnings here to what they equate in the UK (or vice versa)…. It’s what you can do with your money here so easily and it’s spending power that for me (IMO) make’s it a better place to earn. I’ve been here 15 years so couldn’t give you up to date price comparisons but can say I still don’t flinch at the price of gas even with increasing prices.

What are the LA locals like; do you feel you mix mainly with other expats? I guess this is a bit easier for you since you speak with a wonderful British accent!

The accent helps. A lot. Let’s just say the weather keeps most people in a great mood. I haven’t met many people I don’t get on with… or rather don’t get on with me..

Did you think it is easy meeting people and making friends in Los Angeles?

Yes – but you’ve got to make an effort as well

Connect with Ajay Babber:

Website: www.whowantsmylife.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ajaybabber/

New York – Pascal Sabattier

November 11, 2013/in Member/by christophe

Mediterranean by heart. Parisian by birth. New Yorker by choice. Latin by soul.

Pascal, please introduce yourself so the readers get to know a bit more about you?

My name is Pascal Sabattier, I was born and raised in Paris, France. I grew up on the East side of Paris where my parents run a flower shop. I studied English and Economics at Sorbonne University, and then I got a MBA from ISC Paris. I relocated to New York in 1998. I came here initially transferred from Europe with an American company that is no longer around: Lehman Brothers. The rest as you know is history…
I presently live in the Upper West Side. I am a lead consultant / business risk analyst by day and a pop-jazz vocalist and songwriter by night. As for my stage moniker “Pascalito”, it is both a reference to my Mediterranean roots, my family is originally from North Africa and Turkey, and to my Latin musical influences.

When and why did you start playing/singing – and which instruments do you play?

I was a dancer first. I studied modern jazz and flamenco in my teens. I play a little bit of piano but my main instrument is the voice. I am a trained vocalist and started singing in my early twenties.

What was the first tune(s) you learned?

One of the first songs I learned was “Les Feuilles Mortes” it is a French poem by Jacques Prevert that was transposed into music by Hungarian pianist Joesph Kosma in the late 40’s, the song was later adapted in English and became the American jazz standard “Autumn Leaves”.

Is your family musical? Describe your family member’s musical interests and abilities.

Yes very musical. My grandfather was a Sephardic cantor in North Africa, my grand mother played the violin by ear. My mother is a jazz singer with a beautiful voice and my uncle was well respected singer songwriter of the Paris tango musette scene who produced several albums. I did not receive a very formal musical training but I really grew up surrounded by musicians and singers. I like to define myself as musically not-so-educated but musically cultured and nurtured.

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?

I have an admiration for Brazilian singer and composer Caetano Veloso who created a post bossa nova movement coined as “tropicalismo”, he is a very versatile and daring artist while being always pleasant to listen to. As for my French models, Henri Salvador, Claude Nougaro and Michel Legrand to me were pioneers in merging French chanson with North American jazz and South American influences. Among American jazz artists, vocalist / trumpet player Chet Baker has always been my favorite for his smooth cool sound.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?

There was always music in the house when I grew up. Sunday family lunches used to be an occasion to all sing together. Also my aforementioned uncle used to perform with his band at ballrooms. Seeing couples dancing to his music and expressive voice set an example for me of what “quality social music” could be.

Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?

I grew up listening to old records ranging from jazz (Nat King Cole, Sinatra, Count Basie), classical chanson francaise (Piaf, Aznavour, Brel…) to Mediterranean folk.

Could you please describe your own musical ambitions?

I already had a few TV placements for my original works but I would love to have my music featured in a film by famous artsy directors such as Almodovar, Woody Allen, and Francois Ozon.
As a performer, I would love to play at the Montreal Jazz Festival and at some targeted intimate jazz clubs. I would also like to write songs for other more established singers.

Where do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV?

My second released album “Neostalgia” has gained extensive national and international radio airplay in the jazz and world music scene.
As for TV, my songs have been licensed and featured in the popular cable network series Burn Notice (USA), NCIS Los Angeles (CBS) and Damages (FX).
As for live gigs, I have performed at a few well-reputed venues in New York City such as Le Poisson Rouge, Kitano, Metropolitan Room and French Alliance.

How do you balance your music with other obligations – mate, children, job?

It is an interesting question. I have been recently facing the challenge of balancing my life between my corporate day job constraints and my musical aspirations.
As I have evolved to a more professional musical level, I came to realize that the marketing of music for example is very consuming and requires solid logistics. I am at a transition point where I need to find alternatives and support to allocate more time and disposition to the creative side while not losing touch with practical realities.

I think you told me once that you spend time every year in France? Are you still doing that? I always wonder how it works for you – having spent most of adult your life in the USA – feel about your own country. That might be hard, right?? I guess I am asking also would you prefer staying here in the USA no matter what?

I used to go back to France at least three times a year as my mother lives in Paris but I have not returned enough in the past two years. I was naturalized a US citizen last year, which gives me the option to always come back here if I was to “repatriate” to France. I cannot tell you if I see myself staying here for the rest of my life. As much as I love New York and its infectious energy, I am bit in my “post American dream” phase where I came to realize that in comparison Europe offers an enjoyable haven in terms of quality of life and family work balance.

Could you share with us how you first found out about EuroCircle? How long have you been a member?

I have been a member since 1999, so prior century. A French acquaintance of mine took me to an event. My first impression was that the music was better and people dressed with more style than in most New York parties. But what really won me over was the international flavor and the breath and depth of subjects you could discuss among members. Your network has always been supportive and offered me my first opportunities to perform in New York. Thanks to one of your past benefit events 7 years ago, I also had the chance to meet a very talented fellow Swiss member, Thomas Foyer, with whom I ended up recording and producing two albums.

Do you have any upcoming concerts? If so, can you tell us more about them

Yes this coming Friday at the Metropolitan Room, a quality jazz cabaret venue. I will be accompanied by two world class Brazilian musicians, bassist Leco Reis and pianist Luiz Simas. The performance will be filmed and recorded like a live DVD. I will be presenting new material.

Artist profile and discography review published in the prestigious publication Jazz Times Magazine:jazztimes.com/articles/26554-pascalito-manhattan-s-french-connection
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pascalito/20796901568
Website: www.pascalito.com
I have a new video freshly posted on Youtube of an original song I co-wrote with another long time member Thomas Foyer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54ugNpzUtXk
Contact me at: info@pascalito.com or pascal.sabattier@gmail.com

Atlanta – Constance Beer from Germany

November 9, 2013/in Member/by christophe

I wanted to feature Constance from Germany – she is a single mom which itself represents more challenges. I also don’t know Atlanta at all as a city. By the way, the members in Atlanta should suggest EuroCircle who should be interviewed or let us know if we can interview you. All different countries in Europe is a lot of diversity. You can always reach me at kaisa (at) eurocircle.com

Please introduce yourself so the readers know who you are? Where are you originally from and where are you living now? When did you move here and from where? Did you move with a spouse/children

My name is Constance Beer and I’m from Gera, Germany. I grew up on the former east side in Germany and moved to Washington, DC in 1998. I spent that year in Maryland as an Au Pair and moved back to the USA for good in 1999. I had to stay in Germany for 2 months to get my papers.

Now I’m living in Atlanta, and I moved down here in 2006. I moved to the US by myself about 16 years ago.

Why did you move; what do you do for work/study/unemployed?

I moved to the US because I wanted to be fluent in English ( I was only fluent in Russian) and I wanted to get far away from home and discover myself. I finished High School and College in Germany. I’m a registered and certified oral and maxillofacial Assistant and I work in the ER as well.

What do you enjoy most about Atlanta, how’s the quality of life?

I enjoy living in Atlanta because it is a very big city and it is very diverse. It took some time to adjust but I love living here after all. I enjoy going out and dancing salsa and hip hop or enjoy all the different restaurants, lounges and cultures and people. I love my job and live in a beautiful place with my 5 year old daughter, who is attending a very good public school. I’m a single mom and it is very hard but I’m very happy.
I truly enjoy the parks and social scene in Atlanta and made some good friends over the years.
The weather is beautiful here compare to Germany even when it’s bad.

What are the negatives for you personally – all places have some? What do you miss most about home (or where you moved from)?

I always miss my family of course and some good home cooked German meals- even though I cook very delicious meals at my place a lot. We have some good German bakeries and restaurants down here but its still not the same.

I think I miss the true German/European honesty at times – and quark and bread.

Still I have been here for a while so that I’m not really aware of what I miss anymore.
For some time I thought people were superficial, but I believe those people exist everywhere in this world.

Is the city of Atlanta safe? Are there any areas expats should avoid?

I believe the city is very safe, there are almost no areas I would avoid-honestly.

How would you rate the public transport? What are the different options? Do you need to own a car?

I own a car and I think it is the best way to get around plus I have to be very flexible and mobile.

If one lives more downtown/midtown in the city, you can take the Marta and buses and it is very easy to get around. But still the public transportation is not as awesome as it is in other big US cities like NYC or in Germany.

Which are the best places/suburbs to live in the city as an expat in your opinion?

I’m not sure where the best places are to live. I love where I live, in Old Vinings/Smyrna.
I would make the best out of it wherever I live.

How do you rate the standard of housing Atlanta compared to Germany?

I definitely live a much better life here in the US then in Germany, compared to my experience and income. I’m glad and happy, and feel appreciated plus I want to go back to school and get my BSN degree and my masters as a CRNA.

What are the locals like; do you mix mainly with other expats? Was it easy meeting people and making friends?

I love and enjoy hanging out with all different people from very different parts of the world.
I always enjoy meeting new people and friends and learning from them.
I also enjoy meeting or hanging with the locals, ” the sweet and caring southerners”.
I have a great time wherever I go.

Anything else you would like to share with us?

I’m very excited to join the Euro circle and attend the monthly meeting “finally”.
I met David Nienhuis (ATL) a long time ago and he always invited me, but I never had time to go.

Connect with Constance
EuroCircle: Constance Beer
Facebook: www.facebook.com/constance.beer
LinkedIn: Constance Beer

Vienna – Oana Vasilescu from Romania

October 31, 2013/in Member/by christophe

I am always looking for people to interview in Vienna and was super happy to find Oana who is originally f

Tell us about yourself- who are you and what would be the “short story” of your life?

My name is Oana Vasilescu and I come from Bucharest, Romania. I studied International Business at the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Romania. I benefited from a time with lots of opportunities for Eastern European Students to study abroad in early 2000s. Being friends with one of the best students at my university, who had an entire list of scholarship possibities, abroad, I could live the “dream” of any student: pick the top university of your choice, receive a scholarship and go study there. My life has been a chain of happy coincidences. I came to Austria, thanks to a Summer University at the WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business). I really liked the international study atmosphere- even if at the beginning I hardly understood at the beginning the typical Viennese pronunciation and dialect. I fell in love with the WU library with an immense number of books for the same subject. Whereas at my home we had to stay in line for weeks to get the latest edition of any course book in English from the library of the neighbored British Council, the WU library felt like paradise. The happy coincidence happened just one hour before I was leaving back home from the summer university.

Wanting to thank the organizers, they offered me the possibility to apply for a study program called JOSZEF. I filled out the necessary paperwork without any expectation of being accepted. I went back to Romania, finished my university education and – surprisingly for me – received an acceptance letter from the WU.
So I came to Vienna with no specific reason, other than do what I liked most, which was to study in one of the top economic and intellectual environments. I could not have imagined it to have been different.
I stayed after having received a second scholarship for studying Quality Journalism and receiving the first employment opportunity with the Danube-University in Krems.

Do you think living in Vienna in any way enhances your work and life experience?

Vienna is one of the best places to live and work, a true “village”, small but diverse, highly accessible thanks to great public transport infrastructure, safe and conservative. It has a slow life rhythm, which relaxes. It is a quiet city, with little noise level. One hardly hears noises on the tram – people are very cautious when speaking to each other they are rather quiet. People are very polite and helpful when asking for directions on the street. It is a clean city compared to any other European capitals.

Working here adds the internationality to one’s CV. There are international organizations and companies that benefit from top trained and skilled people. Work culture is different than in Easter Europe. People are more relaxed, are not measured by the number of extra hours they work, competition is not always that fierce as in Eastern Europe. The Austrian economy does no longer need to overcome lack or underdevelopment; it had already reached its peak and enjoyed stability for a long time. Therefore, there is a general attitude of “things will work out in the end” that may come from a past in which people had in general all that they needed. In Eastern Europe people are still very worried about their lives and jobs, which is less the case in Vienna. Not hit by recession as hard as Eastern Europe, Austria benefits from an economic situation with less volatility and uncertainty.

What is THE thing about Vienna that captivates you the most?

One can visit Vienna in a couple of years from now and still find his /her ways. Whereas radical change is not really welcome, this makes the core of the city to stay same and gives it a special charm. It is a city that stops in time, still letting change (e.g. in architecture) happen. It is impressive how buildings facades are kept clean and maintained from year to year. So what really captivates me is the mixture of change whereas the core stays same.

If someone asked you what I should NOT miss while in Vienna what would reply? (food, experience, scenery, music…)

Vienna is the place to be for all types of experiences, from culture to food and sports. In terms of culture there’s the State Opera for classically staged operas, the Theater an der Wien for modernly staged baroque opera. There are a number of museums that are worth visiting and still not that well marketed like the Bezirksmuseen.

Thanks to the diverse landscape and the fact that Viennese people are interested in keeping in shape, the sport lover has lots of options: row in one of the rowing clubs at Alte Donau, run in the Prater, wakeboard on the Neue Donau, play beachvolley and swim in the Danube, bike and mountain bike on one of the Viennese “mountains” that are only 300 meters high . In spite of the lack of a proper sea, Vienna is the place to be, the Danube and the Danube Island compensate this.

What do you do in Vienna when you feel like you just want to chill out?

In summer the city can be best viewed from one of the heuriger on the Kahlenberg. The heuriger are places where one can simply take the refuge into the almost peasant life, where life seems to take place as it is supposed to be. These places are idyllic, picturesque and make one feel good. In the city, I especially like the coffee houses with live piano music like Diglas. There is a special “homelike” atmosphere that one gets to taste together with a good coffee.

Anything truly memorable that has happened to you since you have lived in Vienna?

I found it really flattering that once in the Burggarten, amidst wonderful roses, a couple of American tourists asked me to sing for them. I wondered why and they told me that they saw me on stage last night. I realized that they mistook me for Anna Netrebko. This could not have happened anywhere else but in Vienna, I think.

What really annoys you about Vienna – or maybe nothing does?

This might sound funny, but around the Stephansdom the “perfume” of the horse carriages is something that can be appalling to tourist. For a country with a great waste management programs, neutralizing the smell from the horse pee in the city center could be something to be improved. With this one exception, there is something about this city that never makes you want to leave. The city has a certain retaining energy, once you come to leave here, you stay.

Do you have a favorite Vienna restaurants/areas/places and why? What do you think about the typical Austrian/Viennese food and cuisine in general…what stands out for you?

In terms of food and drinks one should not miss the “Stelze” in the Schweitzerhaus in Prater, the “Tafelspitz” in Plachutta, the Eismarillenknödel in Tichy in summer and of course the coffee in any Viennese coffeehouse (e.g. Hawelka).

Do you miss something from Romania in particular? And is there something you really would like people to know about Romania/Romanian people and culture?

I miss most my family and friends. I miss the Romanian spirit of making jokes even in the hardest situations. The Viennese mood is different, a bit black and with a morbid tendency. In Romania, no matter how dramatic things are, one’s outlook on life is that he/she can find the way out. I miss the Romanian humor and creativity, optimism beyond anything. The Viennese humor is more cynical and closer to the British one. There are however lots of other Romanians in living and working in Vienna, we have restaurants, churches and other places of encounter, so this makes me miss my country less.

What do you think about the cost of living in other countries vs Vienna– and the standard of life and life style?

The living standard in Vienna is still very high, whereas the cost of living tends to increase each year due to real estate prices. The quality of service and the diversity of activities that one can embrace make Vienna a really great place to be.

What do you think about the cost of living in other countries vs Vienna– and the standard of life and life style?

At times I miss a special progressive spirit e.g. in modern art exhibitions and clothing style. While Austrians in general admire Italians, they also reckon that in fashion, whatever is new in Milano this year arrives in Vienna three years later. At least some Austrians told me so.
I miss therefore the quest of excellence and progressiveness, the spirit of grandeur of other European capitals.

Curious what is the biggest misconception/s you think people have about Vienna (or Austria/Austrians generally vs. Bucharest/Romania/Romanian people?)

Many foreigners – especially with little education level – come to Vienna without a working knowledge of German, thinking that they can get a job without working level of German. Knowing German and understanding Austrian culture play however a very important role in getting a job.

Anything else you feel you’d like to share with us about Vienna or yourself?

Vienna could be described as a very well kept beautiful lady, once a beauty queen, and now quieter, balanced, but still young at heart. It is a city one can learn from, to grow and develop oneself in beauty

Connect with Oana
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oana.simina79/
LinkedIn: Oana Vasilescu