For my fourth interview for Layers, I’ve asked Marie de Champchesnel to ‘se prêter au jeu’.
I met Marie at a networking event in King’s Cross back in February 2020. A few weeks later, she challenged me on Instagram to share 10 things about me. Making a video was (still is!) a real challenge for me so instead I decided to share these 10 things the way I know best.
If you’re curious, you can check out the blog post here (a summary of the Instagram posts).
Since that series of posts, we’ve gradually got to know each other better – meeting for coffee over the years, coworking now and then (easy since we’re both in South London), and connecting through her coaching workshops. Marie has helped me become more visible on LinkedIn, and last summer, she asked me to work on her rebrand. Needless to say, I was thrilled!
Marie is a career and mindset coach who supports sensitive and neurodiverse women navigate their work life when the professional picture no longer fits – whether they’re repositioning, reinventing or starting something of their own. Marie offers a nurturing space and invite her clients to explore what’s holding them back through curiosity.
I’m so grateful she agreed to share her Layers with us here.
Merci Marie!
WARM-UP LAYERS
What’s your rhythm?
MC: Early bird
Fuel of choice?
MC: I start the day with a large glass of water then a coffee. I drink loads of sparkling water throughout the day and just after lunch I make an strong coffee using the Italian coffee maker Bialetti. I like the ritual of making coffee and smelling it while it’s bubbling.
Favourite treat?
MC: Dark chocolate, always
Dream day-off?
MC: Anywhere near water and especially the sea. Just hearing the seagulls and I am transported to a different dimension.
Workspace vibe?
MC: I used to listen to the radio when working in the art world but now that my work involves talking and listening to people, I need a lot more silence in-between calls.
Note-taking style?
MC: Pen + paper
ROOT LAYERS
Thread Layer
Is there a part of your culture or upbringing that still shows up in your work or day-to-day life?
MC: Being open and curious. Growing-up we were always encourage to be curious. It showed in different ways in seeing exhibitions, visiting heritage sites, the books we read, the food we ate. We were introduced very early to other cultures too.
Home Layer
What food, phrase, or tradition instantly reminds you of home?
MC: That’s a tricky one. I don’t remember anything in particular. I grew in Saint-Malo a seaside town in Brittany. Our playground was the beach. I remember spending a lot of time there. Walking in the woods and picking up mushrooms at the weekend. My dad surfing with friends. We also spend most of our Sundays at my grand-parents with my cousins. Breakfast was an important part of the day for my mum and the table always nicely set up.
Belonging Layer
Where do you feel most ‘at home’ – and what makes it feel that way?
MC: By the sea, not just because it’s where I grew up but it calms and grounds me.
IDENTITY LAYERS
Surface Layer
What’s the first impression people usually get of you or your business?
MC: People often tells me that they feel calm around me but as I naturally observe, I can come across as quiet and distant. I think for some people they find it difficult to ‘put me in a box’. Whether it is me or my business, I tend to do things in my own way, not following trends. I have never followed a linear path but my curiosity and that’s what I invite my clients to do. It can feel uncomfortable at times but 90% of the time by giving and holding space for my clients they have found their own path and ways of doing things that work for them.
Sometimes I get the impression that I am a mystery for people and once they get to know me they realise I am approachable, warm, kind and have a dry sense of humour.
Hidden Layer
What’s something that drives you, but people wouldn’t see straight away?
MC: I naturally like helping others and seeing things from a different perspective. My curiosity drives me and feeds my creativity. Although I feel at home by the sea, I would say my happy place is discovering other people’s creativity, visiting an art gallery, a museum etc.
Growing Layer
What’s a skill, habit, or dream you’re still building into your business or life?
MC: For many years I struggle with goals setting until I realised that the journey is far more interesting than the goal in itself. I believe that at the end everything will come together and make sense.
The skill I want to keep building is patience, listening, being empathetic, kind and above all less stress. I am naturally an anxious person and that can get in the way of many things although I am much better at managing it. A dream: a house by the seaside, swimming every day, a house open and filled with laughter. Being surrounded by creative people.
Glow Layer
What’s something you’re really proud of – big or small?
MC: I am proud of my daughter, her determination and sensitivity (although it has its challenges but she is always trying to push through). I am proud of my clients and every step forward they take. Working with sensitive people means that there are a lot of internal struggle and seeing the tension dropping, and the smile when they create space for themselves and start shifting into a version of themselves that feels more aligned. I am proud of trying and failing and trying and failing.
Colour Layer
If your business was a colour, what would it be – and why?
MC: The yellow of the ‘E’ in my logo. To me, it represents the smile that I see on my clients’ face at the end of our coaching sessions.
Anchor Layer
If your business had a motto or mantra, what would it be?
MC: Slow down to get faster to where you really belong.
Thank you Marie for sharing these sides of you with us.
👉 Marie Coaching website*
👉 Connect with Marie on LinkedIn and Instagram
👉 Sign-up to Marie’s newsletter ‘The Hummingbird Path’: a regular dose of inspiration, stories, and tips to help navigate the transitions in our career.
👉 Take the Curiosity Mindset Quiz
👉 Re-ignite your spark, a free toolkit to help rediscover joy, reignite creativity, and create more alignment in life
👉 Listen to her interview ‘Curiosity unleashed: transforming lives and careers with Marie de Champchesnel’ on Fiorenza Rossini’s podcast, The Belonging Project Podcast.
*Marie’s website has been built by talented web designer Reem Khatib, Reem Web Design
Keywords: curiosity, career, visibility, transformation, building presence, creativity, small experiments
Check out other female founder interviews on the blog – and reach out if you’re interested inn taking part.