From Corporate to Portfolio - One Woman's Reinvention with Xenia Tao
- Julia Tatje
- vor 2 Tagen
- 2 Min. Lesezeit
After more than a decade in global banking, Xenia made the decision to step into something new. Not a pivot, not a side hustle. A reinvention. From corporate to portfolio. In this episode, Julia Tatje sits down with Xenia to talk about what really happens when the professional identity you spent years building no longer fits, and what it actually takes, practically and personally, to build what comes next. It turns out the paperwork was never the hard part. They discuss the tax, pension, and structural questions that catch most people off guard, and why clarity in these areas is what gives you the freedom to focus on the work itself.
In This Episode
What changes financially and administratively the moment you leave a single employer
Self-employment in Switzerland: why it is simpler than you think, and what you actually need to know
How Swiss regulations are designed to protect people in evolving career structures
Navigating a transitional period with multiple income streams without losing clarity
Why the right advisor reduces cognitive load, not just paperwork
And the question that matters more than any tax form: what kind of life do you want to build
The Bottom Line
Leaving a long corporate career: Multiple income streams can be just as stable as one employer, often more so. The structure exists to support what you are building, not to complicate it.
Going independent in Switzerland: You do not need permission. You need receipts, the right social security setup, and someone who understands the difference between genuinely self-employed and what the Swiss authorities call Scheinselbstständigkeit, or fake freelancing. The distinction matters more than most people realise.
Feeling overwhelmed by the practicalities. That is exactly the moment to call an expert. Not your neighbour. Not the person in your old office who did it differently. An expert.
Host & Guest
Julia Tatje - Swiss tax specialist for internationals. Founder, taxum AG.
Xenia Tao - Banking executive turned portfolio professional. 18 years in Zurich. Proof that reinvention is possible - and manageable.
Listen & Connect
Tax and the City Podcast on Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Youtube / Amazon Music
This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional regarding your individual situation.
