From Harvard to MyExpatGo: A Founder's Journey Through Uncertainty to Innovation
- Mari Juk
- Mar 25
- 5 min read
When I started the Harvard Business School Online Credential of Readiness (CORe) program in October 2024, I had no idea what lay ahead. Life has a way of testing our resolve precisely when we're already stretching ourselves thin. This is the story of how an unexpected redundancy, a Harvard education, and 14 years of global mobility experience converged to create something new.
The Beginning: Taking the Leap
Raised in rural Viljandimaa, Estonia, I quickly learned to value how technology can connect people and overcome obstacles. At 16, I made my first bold move by relocating to Ireland, armed only with determination and curiosity. This choice launched a journey across five countries, shaping my insights into the key elements of successful international transitions.
Over the next decade, I built expertise in global mobility across Ireland, the UK, and Canada. From orchestrating complex relocations for corporate executives to managing embassy official moves, each experience added another layer to my understanding of both the logistical and emotional aspects of relocation.
The Turning Point: When Challenges Multiply
Last October, I decided to invest in myself by enrolling in Harvard Business School's CORe program. The timing seemed right—I was working full-time while quietly laying the groundwork for what would become MyExpatGo.
Then November arrived with unexpected news: redundancy with a three-month notice period, while I was working on the other side of the world from Europe. Suddenly, I found myself juggling three significant challenges:
A full-time job with an expiration date
Harvard Business School coursework in Business Analytics, Economics, and Financial Accounting
Building a startup from concept to launch
Most people would consider any one of these a substantial undertaking. Taking on all three simultaneously seemed impossible, especially with the additional pressure of geographic displacement.
The Founders Journey Can Be a Struggle: Late Nights and Hard Choices
There were moments when I questioned my decision to continue with the Harvard program. After long workdays filled with redundancy planning and urgent client needs, I would open my laptop to study complex economic theories or financial accounting principles.
Sometimes this happened at 1 AM or 2 AM, when my brain was hardly at its sharpest.
My exam scores reflect this reality. They weren't the stellar marks I might have achieved under ideal circumstances—78% in Business Analytics, 73% in Economics for Managers, and 82% in Financial Accounting. But each percentage point represents perseverance through extraordinary circumstances.
What kept me going? A vision that had been brewing for over a decade.
The Vision: Revolutionizing Global Mobility
Throughout my career, I've witnessed a consistent pattern: the relocation industry focuses overwhelmingly on corporate clients while neglecting individual movers. This massive market—people relocating internationally without corporate support—is left to navigate complex transitions alone, grappling with confusing regulations and logistical nightmares.
In 2011, while working in the UK's budget moving industry, I first conceived the idea of using technology to revolutionize relocation services. Over the years, I watched promising tech ventures shift their focus away from individual movers, prioritizing corporate clients instead. I saw departments outsourced to legacy companies still using outdated methods. And yes, I experienced redundancy—now twice.
Each setback reinforced my conviction: the industry needs disruption, and I had the unique combination of experiences to lead that change.
The Convergence: Where Education Meets Experience
The Harvard Business School CORe program couldn't have come at a better time, despite the challenging circumstances. The curriculum provided exactly the analytical framework and business acumen I needed to refine MyExpatGo's model:
Business Analytics taught me how to really leverage data to identify unmet needs in the market and optimize operational efficiency.
Economics for Managers deepened my understanding of market dynamics and competitive positioning, essential for entering a traditional industry with an innovative approach.
Financial Accounting equipped me with tools to build sustainable financial structures for long-term growth.
What makes this educational milestone particularly meaningful isn't just the "PASS" on my Harvard transcript. It's how each concept studied late at night directly informed decisions I was making for MyExpatGo the following morning.
The Launch: Bringing It All Together
Now, as MyExpatGo prepares for its full launch, I'm applying these lessons daily. We're creating a revolutionary platform that combines Estonian digital prowess with Malaysian dynamism to transform the relocation experience.
Our approach brings together:
Advanced technology that streamlines the logistical aspects of relocation
Personalized support that acknowledges the emotional journey of moving across borders
Data-driven insights that optimize the relocation process for each individual
This isn't just a business venture—it's a personal mission born from my own experiences as both a mobility professional and a five-time expatriate. I understand firsthand that successful relocation is never just about moving boxes or filing paperwork; it's about understanding the subtle cultural threads that make up a successful transition.
The Reflection: Lessons Learned
Looking back at the past several months—from starting Harvard to receiving redundancy news to passing my exams while building a company—I'm reminded of one of my mentor's advice to always plan for the long term, even when circumstances seem stable.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson has been that setbacks truly are setups for comebacks. The redundancy that initially seemed like an obstacle has become a catalyst, accelerating my timeline for launching MyExpatGo and deepening my commitment to transforming the industry.
The Harvard education that sometimes seemed like an additional burden during this period has proven to be an invaluable foundation, providing analytical frameworks and business insights that shape our company's strategy daily.
The Future: What's Next
As I close this chapter of simultaneous education and entrepreneurship, I'm more convinced than ever that 2025 is the year we stop waiting for change in the relocation industry and start creating it.
MyExpatGo isn't just building a platform; we are aiming to create a movement that empowers individuals to embrace new opportunities and build their lives in new places without unnecessary stress and hassle.
The journey from a small Estonian town to Harvard Business School to launching a tech-enabled relocation company in Malaysia hasn't been straightforward. But then again, the most meaningful journeys rarely are.
The screens showing "PASS" on my Harvard courses represent more than academic achievement—they symbolize the resilience required to pursue your vision, even when life throws unexpected challenges your way.
Sometimes, the most difficult periods produce the greatest growth. And sometimes, Harvard business courses completed during career upheaval become the foundation for building something revolutionary.
This is just the beginning of my founder journey.
Mari Juk is the founder and CEO of MyExpatGo, launching in 2025. With 14 years of experience in global mobility across five countries, she combines Estonian digital innovation with Malaysian dynamism to transform the relocation experience.
