Welcome to the first edition of The International Diaries.
I run this column to bridge the gap for international entrepreneurs in Denmark. Having built and sold my own pastry business in my hometown before relocating to Midtjylland, in western Jutland, I know firsthand that the climb from “foreigner” to founder is a steep one.
This series is designed for us to:
- Find inspiration in the real-life challenges of building a business in Denmark, being an international
- Build a network – with the founder’s permission, I will share their contact details so you can reach out for collaborations directly
If you have a question or know a founder I should interview, feel free to email me at ewpileva@gmail.com.
Today, we meet Angela Namere, the founder of MyBelly – a brand focused on supporting women through pregnancy and beyond with maternity activewear that combines functionality, comfort, and femininity.
The Power of Helping Others: Angela Namere on Motherhood and MyBelly
The narrative of the “overachieving” entrepreneur who builds an empire while their newborn sleeps is often more discouraging than inspiring. For many international parents in Denmark, parental leave is a period of profound transition; it is more often about survival than the best moment to start a business. I can tell from my personal experience – I tried and failed.
And when Angela Namere founded MyBelly, it wasn’t because she felt it was the perfect time to take on one more responsibility and risk with her savings on a business she didn’t know would succeed. She was 28, going through the struggles of her first pregnancy and motherhood, changing physically and mentally, she found the best way to support herself was through helping others.
“Through my own challenges during pregnancy and motherhood, I discovered a deeper strength, but also a strong need to support other women. I struggled to find activewear that supported my changing body while still making me feel feminine, comfortable, and confident.”
Angela came to Denmark as a child with her mother and little brother, starting school in the first grade, where she quickly mastered the language. Growing up, her mother played a big role in shaping her mindset, encouraging her to stay focused and work hard toward her goals. As a little girl, she watched the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and dreamed of becoming a designer, a dream her mother fully supported. By the time MyBelly was born, Angela had a solid professional foundation: a degree in Clothing Craftsmanship from VIA University and the Design School in Kolding, plus working experience at Change of Scandinavia and Kabooki, designing LEGOWEAR.
“[While being pregnant]I became very aware of how important it is for both mother and baby that the mother stays active and feels mentally and physically well. That was the starting point for MyBelly.”
The Reality of the Mental Load
Angela’s routine back then was far from balanced. It was a constant negotiation of priorities. She balanced her daughter in part-time daycare while her baby boy was at home full-time. Work happened in the “margins” – early mornings, during naps, and late evenings.
“The most challenging part has been balancing my time and energy between being present as a mother and building my business. I’ve learned to accept that I can’t always do everything perfectly. The least visible but most exhausting part is the mental load.”
To find the energy to manage everything, Angela relies on a habit of staying active. Having always been involved in sports, from playing handball to working out and running, she never stopped. She shares, “Even if it’s just a short run or a small workout, it helps me clear my mind, find balance, and reconnect with myself. It’s not just physical, it’s also mental.”
Systemic Barriers and Personal Risks
Despite having a Danish education, some of the systemic barriers to starting a business were significant. It took over three months just to set up a business bank account. With investments already made, the waiting was frustrating.
The financial pressure was particularly high because Angela was unemployed when she began creating MyBelly. “My biggest risk was investing in production without knowing if the products would sell,” Angela admits. “It was a big financial and personal risk, but I believed strongly in the purpose behind MyBelly.”
Building awareness in a small market like Denmark requires immense patience. Angela realized early on that building trust here is a slow, organic process in which the product must tell its own story through real experiences and testimonials.
The Power of a Network
One of Angela’s most significant reflections for other internationals is the role of community. A network isn’t just a list of names on your LinkedIn profile.
- Connect for inspiration: Don’t connect with people just to connect, connect to follow and to be inspired by them.
- Be grateful: Ask if you can learn from their experience without thinking that they should spend time on you. Instead of immediately asking for a meeting, Angela suggests following their work and posts to gain insights from their journey while being respectful of their time
Angela shares, “Meeting new people who supported my vision helped me move forward in the beginning, when the future was vague. The vision of MyBelly supporting women with the right tools and support kept me going through the hard times.”
A genuine connection led to organic growth for MyBelly. The first customers learned about products from people who knew Angela. “When women told me that they felt comfortable, supported, and confident in my products, and that it actually made a difference for them, that’s when I truly felt that this works. Knowing that my products make women feel stronger means everything to me.”
Trusting Your Own Timeline
Today, Angela continues to plan her work around her children while running the business as a designer, marketeer, communication specialist, founder, and CEO. She is also studying Marketing Economics online to bridge the gap between design and commerce.
When asked about the famous Danish work-life balance, she is honest: “Life-work balance is something I’m still working on… I’m not aiming for perfection, but for a balance that works for both my family and my business.”
Angela believes that there is no “perfect” time to start. The goal isn’t necessarily to “do it all” during a period of intense personal change, but to accept that if you dive into it, the journey will be a non-linear path of trial, error, and immense patience.
Angela leaves readers with this advice: “Start before you feel ready. You don’t need to have everything figured out, you will learn along the way. Be patient with the process and don’t give up when things get difficult. Start building your network and surround yourself with people who motivate you, but don’t expect others to build your business for you; take responsibility yourself. Join the right communities, listen to experienced people, and learn from them, but always apply it in your own way. Building something takes time, especially in a market like Denmark. Believe in your idea, stay consistent, and trust yourself. If you stay focused, you will find a way.”
If you have questions for Angela or a business idea, you can contact her directly:
- Email: an@mybelly.dk
- LinkedIn: Angela Namere
