Mariia Shirokova had already built three successful businesses in Europe before she packed her bags and moved to the United States. With more than a decade of experience in tourism, immigration, and international logistics, she knew the ins and outs of visa systems better than most. And still, when it came time to move to the U.S., she found the process “overwhelming.”
“I thought I’d have it all figured out,” she told Refresh Miami. “But it was more than just paperwork – it was the emotional weight of starting over. That’s when I realized how broken and disconnected the relocation industry really is.”
That experience sparked the idea for ReSpot, a platform built to simplify the way people and companies move across borders. Today, the Fort Lauderdale-based founder is teaming up with a Silicon Valley partner to build a tech-powered system that brings clarity and trust to an industry that’s often anything but.
ReSpot connects users with verified local professionals and is developing an AI-powered assistant to guide users through every stage of the relocation process. “It’s about helping people move with confidence,” Shirokova said. “Not just legally, but in life. Where do I send my kids to school? How do I get a driver’s license? Who can I trust? That’s what we’re solving.”
The company is currently training its AI on real questions and inputs from relocation experts. The goal is to build what Shirokova calls a “relocation co-pilot,” a tool that answers questions in real time, offers checklists, sets up reminders, and adapts to the user’s context and goals.
Shirokova credits Miami’s diversity and openness as a key influence on how ReSpot has evolved. “Being here keeps me connected to the real people we’re serving,” she said. “Miami is full of immigrant founders, investors, and workers who understand how messy and emotional moving can be. That’s shaped how I’ve built the platform.”
While Shirokova manages the business, growth, and partnerships side, her co-founder Alex Iurev leads on technology. The two work from different states (Alex is in California) but stay aligned through daily communication and a clear division of roles. “It’s actually made us more global in mindset — just like the people we help,” she said.
ReSpot is currently in its beta phase, actively testing core features while expanding its global network of vetted relocation experts. To date, the platform has onboarded over 55 professionals across 26 countries and completed 10 successful transactions, generating initial revenue in the process. With more than 75 users already on the waitlist, the team is now focused on scaling its AI-powered tools to improve automation and deliver faster, more personalized support throughout the relocation process.
Ultimately, ReSpot’s ambition is to build infrastructure for cross-border living. That includes custom dashboards for relocation experts, secure workflows for sensitive transactions, and integrations with systems in housing, education, HR, and travel.
“We had to create tools that just didn’t exist,” Shirokova said. “That meant dozens of interviews, multiple versions of our product, and working closely with experts across different countries to build something that could scale without losing the human touch.”
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