Expats in Calabria. From American Corporate Success to Italian Bliss: Tabatha's Inspiring Story

Part 1.

In America, people often feel like they've lost touch with their traditions, culture, and even their connection to each other as family. Everyone is always on the go, and when conflicts arise, it's common for family members to separate rather than work things out. Unfortunately, her own family had ostracised her and her husband Randy, which made them feel disconnected and pushed away. Moving to Italy provided an opportunity for them to not only find a sense of family but also to form new friendships and connections. It was a chance to start afresh and create a meaningful bond with others...

I am thrilled to introduce you to an extraordinary individual who has made a significant impact in the corporate world and beyond. Meet Tabatha Shepherd, a close friend of mine hailing from the United States. Tabatha's journey is one of resilience, determination, and a relentless pursuit of her dreams, despite facing a vision disability.

I am honored to have had the chance to interview Tabatha and share her remarkable story with you.

Tabatha retired when she was 50 years old, and about two years before her retirement, she began exploring various places around the world to potentially settle down. Together with Randy they looked into Canada, Mexico, different parts of the United States, Tahiti, Singapore, France, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. They found that many of these places were quite expensive, and didn't really have the cultural richness they were looking for. At first, they had considered a small French village as their retirement destination, however, everything changed when Tabatha got the opportunity to meet Chris Sobolev through Facebook. She shared her experiences in Italy on her YouTube channel, and as soon as Tabatha saw her videos, she knew that Italy was the perfect place for her. It felt like the perfect fit, offering the cultural immersion and sense of belonging that she had been searching for.

When Tabatha started actually considering coming to Italy, Randy wasn't interested at all. He had no desire to partake in the trip, but after Tabatha shared her discovery of Chris Sobolev’s experiences in Italy, minds started changing. Initially resistant, he ultimately agreed to join her because he knew she was determined and wouldn't hesitate to go alone if necessary.

With that newfound inspiration, they decided to choose Italy as their retirement destination, but Italy wasn't just about retirement for the Shepherds. It also presented an exciting opportunity for a second career.

Tabatha was drawn to the idea of reconstructing an old palace and transforming it into a high-class boutique hotel. She saw the potential in Santa Domenica Talao, Calabria, and she wanted her and her husband to be a part of its restoration and revitalization.

So, in addition to finding a place to retire, Italy became a canvas for their new venture. It allowed Tabatha to share her passion for hospitality, creating a unique experience for guests who visit their boutique hotel. It's been a challenging yet rewarding journey, and she is thrilled to see how their vision unfolds in the coming years.

On the other hand, they have a daughter, Sky, who has faced numerous challenges in her life. However, Tabatha was happy to share that her situation is improving. Sky is also considering the idea of coming to live in Italy, and she believes it will be a transformative experience for her. Tabatha wants her to truly immerse herself in the culture, connect with the people, appreciate the beauty of this country, and savor the delicious food. Of course, she can't forget to mention their son, Colin, who is an incredible young man, and her granddaughter who is the joy of her life.

Tabatha and Randy are hoping to have both her daughter, Sky, and granddaughter, Nova, visit them in Italy next spring. As for Colin, he's currently pursuing a pre-med degree, and has eight more years of education ahead of him. He's dedicated to his studies and committed to his future in the medical field.

In the end, the Shepherds embarked on this journey together, leaving behind their familiar homeland and embracing the unknown in Italy. It has been quite an adventure so far, and Tabatha is grateful to have her family by her side as they navigate this new chapter of their lives.

Italy has truly become a place where they not only found family and friends, but also a place where they can pursue their dreams and make a meaningful contribution to the community...

In the next part of our interview with Tabatha, you will find a story about their big Italian project, insights, advantages and challenges of doing business in Italy, useful tips for future expats.

See you soon! A presto!

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