AT WORK

A WAKE UP HOUR

7:30 am and I check my e-mails and Instagram. Instagram is very useful in work, in particular to do some research on what is going on in the world of fashion and beauty. And it is a precious tool to develop its network.

MY PROFESSIONAL PEDIGREE

I was a model for 12 years. I stopped at the age of 29 when I got pregnant with my daughter. Then I started a production company and I even had a TV program which passed on TF1 !

Then I've created ONIRA ORGANICS in 2013.

THE STORY OF ONIRA ORGANICS

I took an interest in food and in particular in macrobiotic food in a very thorough way, several years ago. I started wondering about beauty care and notably about what we put daily on our hair. In facial care there are penty of things, but for hair I did a lot of research and I couldn't find anything satisfying. So I decided to go for it with the help of a french laboratory.

I had a very precise specifications. I wanted products:

-Efficients, with true benefits as it is te case with the flower of Polynesia called the “Ginger Shampoo” mixed with monoi. We are the only ones to use it.

-Which smell good... often a real problem in the bio.

-That products are certified Ecocert and without sulphate, silicone and paraben.

-That the packaging is recyclable but also attractive and pleasant to the touch.

The range is voluntarily short for a simple use and suits our active lives: there are 3 shampooes, a hair conditioner, a serum, a mask.  We also developed a shaker to be able to make its own mixtures and create at home the rite that we developed.

I did tests during 3 years and research with the lab and we started in 2016 in London with Net-à-Porter, Harrods and DryBy (next to Regent Street). Now we are also at Blue Bird, Fenwick...

And in Paris at Le Bon Marché.

THE ENTREPREUNEURIAL ADVENTURE...

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Before being a model I wanted to be a stylist like my mom. What I like the most is to create. However the business side it is clearly not my thing, even if at this point I must do everything !

We work like a startup, but we might soon more (currently we are 3).

MY ADVICES TO GET STARTED

Good luck !

More seriously: never give up, be persevering and obstinate.

BEING A WOMAN IN THE BUSINESS

It is double-edged especially for me, a soccer player's wife and former model... I fight against quite a lot of general thoughts, in particular in the business actually.

However between female entrepreneurs I noticed that there was a great solidarity. I've made by the way quite some friends who, like me, built up businesses.

SACRIFICES THAT THE ADVENTURE DEMANDED

Not seeing my children anymore. And I've realised that this has to change.

SOMETHING TO REDO

I've already learn so much ! And of course a lot of mistakes.

Including on human nature cause I am a spontaneous and generous person and it played tricks on me... Today I know better how to surround myself and who I can trust.

MY WORKING MUM'S ADVICES TO CONJUGATE PROFESSIONAL LIFE AND FAMILY LIFE

Since the back-to-school season I decided to “regainn” the role of mom by being more present at home and with my children. No more nanny, it is me who manage again the cook and the grosseries (but I love it: it is essential for me). And my sister helps me. I want to take back control of everything without making compromise: my family and ONIRA. I am the elder of a family of 9 so it doesn't sound terrible for me ! But you've got to be pretty organized. No room for improvisation.

MY BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT

I got an idea and I gave it my life. I went all the way of what I had in mind. And especially I am self-taught, I had to trust myself. I wanted to give up so many times. But my husband was here to tell me not to drop and to continue the adventure.

I have no investors, everything is financed on our own funds. So I have an enormous pressure. It is not a lobby it is a real business that is important to me, because I am convinced of the necessity of using healthy products for our body. Working and being professionally accomplished is also a need for my balance.

ON-MODE 24-HOUR

YES ! Even if for the first time in august I tuned out, but I admit that letting go of my mobile is not so easy !

AS A KID I DREAMED...

...To become a stylist like my mom. I've loved fashion forever.

THE NEXT STEPS

To promote the distribution somewhere else than in the UK, everywhere in Europe and the U.S. Then opening a spa ONIRA, dedicated to haircare in Paris and London.