“In 2012 and part of 2013, I was fortunate enough to attend an international MBA program in Nice, France [EDHEC Business School]. There were people from 31 nations in a class of 60,” he says. “It was there I met a Ukrainian who already had a master’s degree but wanted to work in a place not rife with corruption. So we helped him, he introduced us to his friends, and word got out. The group created a strategy for finding shortcuts around the challenges of working internationally.”
To date, HireHero.net has worked with 12 Ukrainians seeking to flee their war-torn country. “It’s pretty exciting,” says Jones. “From Healdsburg, we’re now reaching people from the Ukraine, China, Africa, Dubai and Turkey. We provide the specific tools and skills they need to be successful.
“It’s definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Our team helps them clear up their message and accelerate networking. We also empower them with the skills it takes to work remotely at first, then expand their network to hopefully migrate to another country.” Immigration lawyers help with making the transition more streamline.
The company is now working with North Bay Angels and others, including creating a strategy to license content to colleges, since entry-level job seekers see the most success. The result: a homegrown reminder of the global nature of today’s economy—and proof that there truly is hope, no matter where you live.
