About Exit Strategy
Your Guides to Successful Relocation
Exit Strategy founders Joanna and David Krantz both studied foreign languages and international relations in college. They saved up for a few years and, following their dream, left it all behind to backpack across South America, Eastern Europe, and Africa for 2.5 years. Back in the States, they got Masters degrees, launched successful careers, bought a house, and started a family. Watching their kids grow up in a sheltered, competitive, consumeristic society, however, they felt the need to expose them to 'the real world' and began planning a long-term international sailing journey. With years of careful planning, budgeting, and career choices, and by leveraging the expertise of mentors (shout out to Sailing Totem), they were able to once again cut the ties that held them in place. Their family of four (two girls, ages 10 and 12) sailed 11,000 nautical miles from Baltimore to San Diego via the Eastern Caribbean and Panama Canal, bought a travel trailer to live RV life for a while, then downsized to backpacks to travel Europe, North Africa, and Asia over 8 more months, visiting 35 countries over four years in total. They homeschooled, remote-schooled, and worked as digital nomads the whole way. The family then moved their belongings out of storage and across the country to Bend, Oregon in time to start school this September 2024.
"It was good to get away from the rat race and toxic political environment we were in. We grew in rewarding and fulfilling ways as individuals and as a family. We learned so many lessons along the way and we can't wait to help you formulate and execute your own exit strategy."
About Joanna:
Joanna is an intercultural consultant, trainer, and facilitator, as well as a leadership coach. She is a dual citizen of Poland and the US, and has spent significant time traveling, studying, and working in four languages: Polish, English, Italian, and Spanish.
In her 20s, she and David backpacked for 2.5 years around South America, Eastern Europe, and South-Eastern Africa. She then dedicated her first career to intercultural communication, as the Assistant Director of the International Services Office at George Washington University. Helping people navigate and ultimately, transcend cross-cultural obstacles remains her passion. After earning her Master’s degree in International Education, and leading cross-cultural programming and visa support for over 500 international students, she expanded her career to become a training manager for the federal government. “As a certified leadership coach, I empower individuals “to become more conscious and purposeful so they can have a greater impact on the world. I believe that impact can only happen if we understand ourselves better”. She is certified in numerous tools such as Myers Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Energy levels. During our 4-year family voyage, Joanna was in charge of homeschooling, serving as first mate, and travel logistics planning.
About David:
After backpacking across 4 continents with Joanna, David earned a Master's of Tourism Administration from GWU and led a 15-year career in sustainable tourism that allowed him to work in dozens of countries. During his family's 4-year journey, in addition to serving as captain of their sailboat, David worked remotely as a digital nomad, leading a small market research company. Fluent in Spanish, he is a professional researcher, passionate problem solver, and dedicated father.
Let Us Help with This, the Hardest Part.
In our experience, actually leaving is the hardest part, and coming back is a close second. Don't be the one who just talks about moving abroad but never follows through. Leverage the experts. At Exit Strategy, we provide personalized coaching and mentoring to guide you through the process of relocating abroad. We offer comprehensive support to help you navigate the challenges of moving to a new country. Let us assist you in creating a solid strategy for your international adventure.