Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
Starting a company means by definition a lot of time, energy, (usually) money, dedication and versatility. Hopefully we are two partners in the company and we can split our tasks and help each other to find the motivation to move forward. It is not always easy to keep the flame on a long-term period when you are on your own.
In few words, Dîner en Blanc International delivers licences to people around the world that wish to organize a Dîner en Blanc in their city.
It’s like a turn key service; we manage registrations of the guests and the team in the world, we provide a book of specifications that hosts commit to respect, and we provide many documents and online support to help them create their Dîner en Blanc. We give them a website, online tools, Facebook and Twitter accounts, etc. We have run 21 cities on five continents in 2012 and forecast to have 50 in 2013.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
For many reasons I felt privileged and spoiled by life. There are things that we fight to obtain in life and other things that we don’t choose because it is coming as a “package” when you are born (health, physical aspect, family, social level, wealth, country…). Dîner en Blanc is part of this privilege that I received. My father had this simple idea 25 years ago to organize a picnic with friends in its garden and look what it became… a worldwide phenomenon! Of course there is a lot of work to turn a local event into an international one, but this is a real gift of life, which is now part of the heritage I am proud to continue.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
As I mentioned earlier, I have a super partner that takes care of everything I don’t like. My part is mainly focused on the technical aspect and development of the company. We have created an exclusive online platform that allows our members to register, pay online and interact with their leaders. From 2013 onward, all cities will be interconnected between one another and our members will be able to register in any Dîner en Blanc and interact with other members in the world. At first we were managing local events, but we are slowly creating a worldwide social network specialized in events.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Launching new ideas and projects in the same or other industry. My strength is the creativity and I love launching new projects – much more than managing them.
What does success look like to you?
Success is not only a matter of having the best idea, or the best team, or being the best leader or the best strategy… it is a mixture of all these ingredients that makes the subtle recipe of the success.
If we are successful in our job, but the other important aspects of our life are left behind (health, love, family, friends), then you are not successful. The real success is the ability to balance every aspect of our life that brings us happiness.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I have worked in various industries and achieved various goals that could be considered as milestones. But there is not a single one bigger than the others.
For example, in 2000, I took a long trip on my own for five months in South America. Between all the situations I have experienced, one was stronger than others and gave me the idea to create a TV concept. 10 years later (about 2 years ago), I came back to Argentina for six months to build and shoot this TV concept. Have a look at the trailer here.
That was an important milestone for me as I have been thinking about it for 10 years.
For the Dîner en Blanc, the first event that we have created outside of Canada was in New York. That was really complicated, probably the most difficult due to the various rules and regulations that exist. But the Big Apple is such a window to the rest of the world, it is amazing! Following this successful first edition, we have received hundreds of requests from all over the world. That was an important milestone for our business.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
If you have an idea, a real desire or a dream… dare to try. Dare to attempt. “Succeeding” is not the most important. “Trying” is the most important thing to remember. Don’t listen to the others. Like the famous brand says, “Just do it!”
1.That’s the only way to know if it will work.
2. There is no success without falls
3. That’s the only way not to regret later
When everything is difficult and complicated, remember that most of the others would probably give up at that point. You will make a difference if you carry on.
Don’t only live for your job. Try to give time to people that you love and that love you because they won’t be here forever. Get rid of your stress. Take care of your mind and body if you want to last all the way. We are not machines.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I occasionally do it personally but not with the business. Le Dîner en Blanc don’t support any political, religious, commercial or charity purposes. It is a simple friends of friends gathering.
What to you is notable?
Notable is a good opportunity to reward the work of a person, but more over, of a team. It’s a great medium to expose new projects and interconnect entrepreneurs together. Meeting successful and passionate people is really stimulating and helps us to move forward.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone, but not addicted.