Valeria Reategui: MCCSA Skilled Migrant Stories

ORIGINALLY FROM: Peru

CAREER: Finance, Logistics, Food Photography

A New Beginning in Australia

I’m Valeria, a Peruvian who migrated to Australia eight years ago. My husband, a Peruvian engineer, had been working here in a FIFO role for a while, and during our visits, we fell deeply in love with the country. We decided to apply for residency, and when it was approved, I resigned from my corporate job in Peru and embarked on a new adventure.

With over fifteen years of experience in finance and logistics at large companies, I naively assumed finding a job in Australia would be a breeze. However, I quickly discovered that my extensive experience wasn't as valuable as I had hoped due to the different professional landscape. It was a humbling realisation that forced me to reinvent myself.

Always passionate about cooking, I decided to start a food blog as a potential income source for our family.

As I began documenting my culinary creations, I realised the importance of high-quality photography. Inspired to improve my blog's visuals, I delved into food photography.

I enrolled in specialised courses to learn about food styling, lighting techniques, and other essential aspects of the craft.

As I honed my skills, I found a newfound purpose in life. My past experiences, while valuable, paled in comparison to the joy and fulfilment I derived from my newfound passion.

Being an entrepreneur is undoubtedly challenging, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to turn my passion into a profitable venture. I love helping clients discover their unique voices and develop a strong brand identity. It's gratifying to see the impact my work can have on their businesses.