I’m Mignon, mother of Emma (8) and Semme (5), partner of Chris and entrepreneur, although I didn’t know that about myself before we moved abroad. My husband Chris was born in Togo, I in the Netherlands. Two different continents, two roots, two frames of reference. Our lives played out somewhere in the middle. Until we decided to literally shift that middle.
Two origins, one family and one giant leap toward the unknown
In 2022, we moved to Togo with the idea of staying for one year. A sabbatical, we thought. A year to give our children their second origin, to get to know Chris’ roots better, and to get away from the Dutch rhythm for a while. But that year turned into three years. And those three years changed everything: who I am, how I work and how I look at the world.
Why we ventured to Africa
When I met Chris during our studies, I hardly knew where Togo was. I was someone who never went to live in rooms because I found it too exciting. But parenthood changes a lot. And when Emma started asking questions about her origins and skin color, I felt very strongly, “We need to get to know your second home as a family.”
Three years of Togo: where our entrepreneurial journey began
I was trained as a skin therapist and enjoyed doing this work for over 14 years. When our trip lasted longer than a year, I lost my job in the Netherlands. I was able to continue my work online for a while, but eventually I had to let go of that position permanently. Then I was hired as a freelancer by the professional association for skin therapists (NVH) for various projects.
Where one door closes, a new one opens – that’s how it felt to me.
We left with no entrepreneurial plans. But Togo gave us exactly what we never had in the Netherlands: space and time for creative rest. And from that came the following:
-
Wood & Cricket – my Togolese bag brand
It started small: a bag, a fabric, an idea. But in Togo, ideas become big if you give them attention. What started as a ‘try out’ grew into my own bag brand, a local production line, a team of makers I’m very proud of, a webshop and stores in the Netherlands and Togo that sell my bags.
-
Dutchies Emigrating: born out of my own quest
Because emigrating is a rollercoaster, I started looking for other people’s stories. And since I didn’t find that anywhere, I started sharing it myself. Thus was born Dutchies Emigrating. Not as a project, but as a need. What started as a few posts grew into a community of 30,000 followers, webinars, blogs, podcasts, a beautiful website, whatsapp groups and most of all a platform full of recognition. It has become as much a part of my entrepreneurship as Wood & Cricket.
-
EDO Match – Chris’ company
Chris built his company EDO Match, which connects employers and job seekers. It started in Togo, but is now expanding across multiple countries. He is doing this together with 2 friends of ours, one living in Bali and the other in the Netherlands. How fun is this!
Why we returned to the Netherlands after all
Togo taught me to work in a totally different way: less perfection, more doing. Less planning, more creating. Less pressure, more intuition. I discovered there that I was an entrepreneur, when I had never thought that of myself.
After three wonderful years, my heart suddenly said, “It’s time.” Not because Togo wasn’t good. On the contrary, we had a fantastic time. But Emma was getting difficulty with her Dutch, important decisions about our home had to be made, and our businesses needed a different base. And honestly? I missed the seasons. Lighting candles, feeling the cold, lying under a blanket haha.
Remigrating: practically easy, emotionally complicated
We now live back in Alphen aan den Rijn, while Chris commutes back and forth. It’s chaotic, but we do it. Just to connect those two worlds and not give up on our entrepreneurship.
Administratively, remigrating is simple. But emotionally … no one tells you that. You come back as a new version of yourself, in an environment that hasn’t changed. Your head is still in two continents. Your rhythm you have to rebuild. The children also had to land. Emma missed her friends in Togo tremendously at school.
What emigrating has brought me
More than I ever expected: guts, creativity, flexibility, entrepreneurship, confidence, calmness, relatability and a community that grows every day. Togo and the Netherlands have reshaped me. Everything I do now was born in those three years: Wood & Cricket, Dutchies Emigrate, communities for emigrating and remigrating, webinars, blogs, podcasts and remote working. Our businesses continue to move between two countries. Our children carry two origins. And we live right on the bridge between those two worlds.
Follow?
Instagram: @dutchies_emigrate & @woodandcricket_dutchie_abroad
Shop: www.woodandcricket.com
Learn more about emigrating and working remotely?
Working Remotely and Dutchies Emigrate join forces for a practical and honest webinar about living and working abroad. It will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, and you can register for it for free. We share our personal experiences, tell you what’s really involved behind the scenes and show you what steps you can take to make it happen yourself. Can’t make it live? No problem: the inspiration session is also recorded and can be watched back afterwards.
More inspiration on remote working and experiences of others
Maartje werkt al 13 jaar remote met haar gezin, vanuit verschillende landen
