Expat entrepreneur and influencer Mégane talks about her thirst for freedom

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your background?

My name is Mégane. I'm 26 years old, and I come from the Lyon region in France. After my studies in international management, I decided to try the island lifestyle. Since then, I have decided to settle in Mauritius for good.

What brought you to Mauritius? How long have you lived there?

I have been living in the North of Mauritius for four years now. I initially came here for an internship in 2018, at Expat.com, in communication and events. This internship helped me meet many people on the island and develop my marketing skills. Therefore, it was an excellent opportunity to start a new life in the Indian Ocean region and fulfil my desire to become a self-entrepreneur in digital marketing, which fascinates me.

What do you like most about the island? And the least?

I like the quality of life that we have here, the proximity to the beach, the diversity of landscapes with the sea and the mountains, the marine fauna and of course the Mauritian hospitality and the delicious food. The only downside for me is the distance from my family and loved ones in France, especially during the Covid period.

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?

Freedom. Indeed, as a freelancer, we are free to organize ourselves as we wish and to be able to work with brands/companies that match our personality and ambitions. I work in digital marketing and, more specifically, social media. I also do content creation in Mauritius for hotels and activities around the island. I really like this area since it is very creative. It's also a world that constantly changes, so you have to be responsive to news and trends.

What were the requirements to settle in Mauritius as an entrepreneur?

Application for the "Self-Employed" permit in Mauritius can be made online on the EDB (Economic Development Board) website. I also had to produce a business plan and administrative documents such as diplomas, insurance, proof of funds, bank account. It took me a few weeks to put everything together and submit the file, and then it was pretty quick.

In addition to being an avid traveller, you are also a social media influencer. So what made you choose this path?

My passion for photography and my desire to discover the activities on the island, as well as the different places such as hotels and restaurants. I started sharing what I was doing on the weekends on social media, and some companies liked my content. Then they asked me to collaborate, so it started from there.

What are the challenges of being an expat entrepreneur, especially in Mauritius? How did you overcome them?

I think it is mainly the administration and understanding the rules in force in the country. For this, I turned to people who had experience from similar situations and friends living on the island. I also called on a local accountant for whatever was related to taxes.

Has the pandemic affected your business? How did you overcome it?

The pandemic actually helped me start my business, take the time to prepare my project, contact different clients, and initiate communication about my activity. I would even say that it has had a positive impact because more and more companies have been going digital since the beginning of Covid, especially considering online sales and other services. This allowed me to find clients who were quite interested in managing their social media pages.

What does your everyday life as an expat entrepreneur and influencer in Mauritius look like?

At the beginning of the week, I schedule my appointments on Monday. I work from home, and then I have a few meetings with clients and potential clients. I also have a sports routine that allows me to get my head out of screens. In general, the weekends are full of adventures and photoshoots.

Is this a path you would recommend for people who want to live abroad?

Of course, being self-employed provides a lot of freedom. Being a social media influencer is also interesting. However, you should already be comfortable with the various useful tools on social media or get some training.

What are your plans for the future?

I'd like to stay on the island and travel as much as possible. And why not create a digital communication agency in a few years. Or maybe I will convert into diving/freediving, which has become a real passion for me since I'm here.