From Lyon to Sydney
With Hugo - owner of a plumbing business
Just go (live elsewhere) !
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- Setting and vibe of the talk: The speaker shares a candid, down-to-earth recounting of his move to Australia and how he built his life there. The tone is informal and conversational, punctuated by quick shifts in topic as if the listener is sitting in on a real chat.
- Early life and big move: Born in France, he arrived in Australia in 2011 around 18–19 years old. He didn’t speak English at all at first. The move was prompted by his relationship with a French girlfriend who later became his wife. He describes the move as a big, brave leap across the world to be with someone he cared about.
- First job and language bridge: Upon arrival, he took a low-status, entry job as a cleaner (specifically cleaning schools) to survive and, crucially, to practice English and meet people. This job was a stepping stone that helped him start talking to others and gradually improve his language skills.
- Plumbing background and credentialing: He had plumbing experience in France and held a license there. However, Australia requires local licensing, so he had to re-qualify. It took roughly three years to complete the process and obtain his full Australian plumbing license, transitioning from maintenance/domestic work to more specialized plumbing tasks.
- Career progression in Australia: After obtaining his license, he started in domestic plumbing and eventually moved into mechanical plumbing, which is somewhat different. He emphasizes the shift from basic tap replacements and household maintenance to more varied plumbing work, underscoring a willingness to adapt to the local market.
- Family motivation and the visa journey: The move was tied to his partner/wife. She had initially invited him to come to Australia, and the couple navigated a long-distance phase before finally settling. He describes the steps of his visa journey: a one-year working visa first, a return trip to France when his partner pursued further studies, a return on a partner visa, and then about three years to secure permanent residency (PR). After obtaining PR, there was an additional waiting period before he could apply for citizenship, bringing the total to roughly seven years from arrival to full citizenship status.
- Personal growth and resilience: The speaker highlights resilience, adaptability, and persistence as core traits. He faced language barriers, licensing hurdles, and the usual challenges of starting over in a new country, yet he persevered, learned the local system, and built a credible presence in a new market.
- Business milestone and current focus: Having established his footing and credentials, he launched his own plumbing business, named something like Ocean Side Plumbing. The focus is on maintenance plumbing—servicing homes, replacing taps, and related tasks—positioning himself as a reliable, go-to professional for homeowners in Sydney. The emphasis is on practical, customer-facing service, with a straightforward value proposition: when you have a plumbing need at home, he’s the man to call.
- Closing sentiment: The story wraps with a sense of accomplishment and gratitude for the journey, as well as pride in the personal and professional milestones achieved. The speaker seems to recognize the significance of the life story he’s sharing, both for himself and for the audience.