Fairygodboss of the Week: Nathalie Goldstein

Nathalie Goldstein, CEO of MyExpatTaxes. Photo Courtesy of Nathalie Goldstein.

Nathalie Goldstein, CEO of MyExpatTaxes. Photo Courtesy of Nathalie Goldstein.

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Fairygodboss
Updated: 1/14/2019
Nathalie Goldstein moved to Austria for love, leaving behind a lucrative career in Silicon Valley for a host of unknowns. However, when she got there, she received more career direction than she had ever had. She realized that there was no easy way for U.S. expats to file their taxes, and came up with a solution herself: MyExpatTaxes. The bustling company is now a well-known answer to the troubles of many expats, and Goldstein has found a real passion in perfecting her product. 
Fairygodboss spoke to Goldstein about how she founded her company, how she strikes a balance in her busy life, and her best advice for women who want to take risks and land on their feet — just like she did. 
Fairygodboss of the Week: Nathalie Goldstein
CEO, MyExpatTaxes
Tell us a little about your career. How did you get to where you are now?
I moved abroad from Silicon Valley to Vienna, Austria in 2015 (originally for love. I fell in love with an Austrian!), and started working for a foreign subsidiary of an international IT company. Since U.S. expats must file their taxes to the American government every year, when tax season hit, I ended up hiring a tax consultant from one of the top tax firms for $500+ just to file. The process was exhausting — I was sending forms back and forth, paying interest, and dealing with false information that made its way to the IRS  (my consultant  claimed I lived in Australia; it’s Austria.). 
So, I took it upon myself to develop a solution to a problem 9+ million American expats face. I partnered up with engineering masterminds Markus Finster and Joachim Niederreiter, and created MyExpatTaxes  — a one-of-a-kind expat tax software where any U.S. expat can do their taxes easily and in less than 30 minutes. It’s all online, and for an affordable flat fee of 149 Euro. The system itself is backed up by a wealth of research and labor from expat tax expertise, while having a user-friendly look and feel. So, rest assured, customers are in good hands.
What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?
Taking the jump to create MyExpatTaxes and work towards solving a major problem. At a recent conference I went to, people expressed to me their personal pain or the pain of their family and friend's when it comes to filing their US taxes. They seemed pretty relieved by my company's software!
What is a challenge that you've faced and overcome?
Moving abroad to Austria was very tough for me. I moved for love, and was leaving behind a promising career in Silicon Valley. Initially, I had no idea if I would find a job since I didn’t speak the language. However, with careful planning and determination,  I landed a full-time job and acceptance into a Masters Program in IT within a few months of moving.
Who is YOUR Fairygodboss? and Why?
My mom! She has always been a #girlboss for me and my sister. 
What do you do when you're not working?
Hopefully working out — by myself or with my husband. Exercise is my ultimate stress-reliever, and always places me right here in the moment.
If you could have dinner with one famous person—dead or alive—who would it be?
The Dalai Lama. I’m currently reading The Book of Joy and it’s really changed my perception on balancing your own ambition and drive to ensure you don’t sabotage your own happiness. I would love to discuss this topic further with him!
Lightning Round: What is your favorite movie?
Hidden Figures.
Lightning Round: What book would you bring with you on a desert island?
The Book of Joy!
Lightning Round: What is your shopping vice? What would you buy if you won the lottery?
Real Estate, for sure.
What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share with other women who want to have successful careers like you?
Know how much you’re worth, and know how to demand it. Study and research other powerful women to become who you need to be, and to get to where you want to go.
Why do you love where you work?
I love working on MyExpatTaxes. Creating the first-ever tax software for expats is quite a journey, and I get to meet and work with amazing clients from all over the world. I actually love figuring out how to create the solutions they need.

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