The hotel and restaurant industry is a family affair, can you introduce yourself?
I always say that Obelix fell into the pot of magic potion when he was little, but for me, it was in the hotel industry. I took my first steps in the kitchen of my parents' first Michelin-starred restaurant, L'Essentiel, in Belgium. So I've always grown up in this world. From a very young age, I've also always been driven by a desire for freedom, independence, and discovery that has guided me on my life's journey. Accompanying my parents on numerous trips and galas around the world reawakened my ambition to turn my passion for the hotel industry into a vocation.
What was your background?
In 2012, I began my studies at the Glion Institute in Switzerland, recognized as the best hotel school in the world. I was excited to prove my skills and so I started working in the best hotels in the world, such as the Portman Ritz Carlton Hotel in Shanghai, the London NYC Hotel in New York, and the real estate consultancy CBRE Hotels in London. In 2018, I finally found my second home in France. Today, I am the proud owner and manager of the Les Tilleuls hotel in Etretat , which opened on June 11, 2019, as well as the creator of various other projects, such as my Brussels and Paris notebooks and several brand collaborations.
At the age of 26, you opened a hotel in Etretat. Can you tell us about this adventure?
About a year ago, I made the decision to embark on this adventure without thinking, simply following my instincts. It might have seemed like a sudden decision to leave everything behind and go to a region I didn't know to open a hotel on my own, in order to develop a high-end establishment with a holistic approach, to take care of our well-being and the well-being of our environment. However, for a long time things had been going around in my head in Paris. I felt like I was caught in a whirlwind of a life that I had a lot of trouble admitting no longer suited me on a daily basis. Thanks to this change, I learned to be more in alignment with who I am and what makes me happy deep down. At Les Tilleuls, we consciously select all our suppliers to buy ecological, seasonal products from our region, we also organize yoga, Pilates, meditation retreats and take daily actions to reduce our impact on the world.
This is just the beginning of this adventure, but it is the beginning of a path in the right direction...
As a multi-entrepreneur, you've also written a book. Do you have any advice for those who would like to start their own business?
I've always been a globetrotter at heart, but I'm also a dedicated and inspired entrepreneur and businesswoman dedicated to creating the world of tomorrow together. My advice would be to find your passion(s) and turn them into a daily business. Perseverance, patience, and passion are the keys to starting a business.
What is your typical day like?
I don't really have a "typical" day. I write down a daily list of things I have to accomplish per day, per week, and per month.
Depending on my days, my obligations and my energy, I dedicate my work differently.
I also work a lot in the field so I'm never safe from having to deal with a last-minute surprise regarding the house, clients or meals.
A large part of my work also takes place in analysis, thinking about my future desires for my business and not having to adapt to a predefined mold also gives me the freedom to explore new horizons.
Is there a professional encounter that has left a lasting impression on you/inspired you?
I believe that life is made up of encounters, and it is all these encounters that have allowed me to build myself and become the person I am today. Having lived and worked in seven different countries in Europe, Asia and the United States has allowed me to meet many people from very different backgrounds, education and cultures, each of which has a great importance in my life.
Where are you going to recharge your batteries?
To recharge my batteries, I'm staying here at home, at Les Tilleuls in Etretat, Normandy. Last year, I made the choice to change my mindset; I was no longer happy living in the city and escaping on weekends to recharge my batteries. It was becoming absurd, in my opinion, to continually want to escape and recharge my batteries from the life I was creating for myself.
Today, I live in the place where I feel most comfortable on a daily basis and I go to the city (mainly Paris) and to Belgium when I need to.
The rest of the time, I travel…
What are your upcoming projects?
My upcoming project is one I have been thinking about for two years, which aims to recreate the sensitive link between man and the environment through our passion, restoration.
This project is a solidarity project, because I believe there is nothing greater we can do than follow our passions, in a way that serves the world and us.
The first step will be to launch a podcast where I'll meet these entrepreneurs and chefs who are already turning their passion for catering and hospitality into a sustainable initiative for our planet. The goal will be to discuss their philosophy, their initiatives, and their advice for applying it in our daily lives.
What place does beauty have in your life (rituals, cosmetics, spa treatments)?
Beauty and self-care are very important in my life. In recent years, I've discovered the importance of finding balance and that taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and psychologically are very important elements for professional success. I'm very attached to natural products and essential oils in my daily life, and I treat myself to a spa treatment every two months.
What is your favorite Alaena product?
I particularly like the All Apricot Scrub and the Nourishing Rose Petal Oil . Sweet scents and complementary products that do a world of good.
What is your mantra?
"Nothing is impossible."
I believe that you have to turn your passion into an art, to discover it with passion and creativity and that you should never be afraid of change, because it opens doors to new opportunities.
Thanks to Camille Gersdorff for answering our questions.
Hotel: Les Tilleuls Etretat - @lestilleuls.etretat
Books: Pepite Shop -@pepite.shop
Photos: ©clothilderedon
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