VIDEO – Chrystèle Gimaret is a business leader well-anchored in the world of business and the daily challenges of entrepreneurship. At the head of Ekoklean, a company specializing in ecological industrial cleaning, she shares her vision of management and resilience. From her relationship with the balance between personal and professional life to her way of delegating, the manager – winner of the Bold by Veuve Cliquot prize – delivers here an inspired and inspiring look. Discover this new episode of the video series Les Pionnières du Business de Capital.
Capital Video: The Pioneers of Business Season 1 Chrystele Gimaret, founder of Ekoklean
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– The Pioneers of Business season 1: Chrystele Gimaret, Ekoklean
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For Chrystèle Gimaret, being a business manager is above all learning to juggle various issues. “Being a business leader means dealing with problems 90% of the time“, she states bluntly, a way of demystifying entrepreneurship. However, she always knew that she was made to set up her own company. Today at the head of a flourishing company, and based on social values, she insists on the importance of having a balanced personal life and preserving moments of disconnection to cope with the pressures of the job.
“You also need to have leisure activities to clear your head”she adds, emphasizing the importance of physical activity to maintain balance. She herself runs four to five times a week, a ritual that she considers essential to “get some fresh air”. His advice to entrepreneurs is to tell themselves that a business is a marathon and not a sprint. “Business leaders who work 20 hours a day, I think they are just burning out,” believes Chrystèle Gimaret, for whom maintaining a sustainable pace is essential in order not to compromise her health or her performance in the long term.
Leadership and delegation: knowing how to play to your strengths
If Chrystèle Gimaret describes herself as a leader, However, she does not consider herself a good manager. “I have no operational management skills”, she confides sincerely, specifying that she prefers to delegate operational aspects to trusted colleagues. “I think I have a certain level of leadership that means I can lead people into my ideas, but I’m not a good operational manager.”
His sense of leadership is reflected in his ability to intelligently delegate tasks, recognizing his own limitations and entrusting operational matters to competent people. However, Chrystèle knows that finding the right team is not without mistakes. Another piece of advice that the entrepreneur gives, and which will be useful to many managers: “We make recruitment mistakes, then the day we have the right person, it works much better.” For the manager, delegating is an effective strategy to focus on the aspects where she can bring the most value.
Don’t stay isolated: the importance of networks
For Chrystèle Gimaret, it is crucial not to remain isolated in her entrepreneurial adventure. She herself was among the first incubates of the program Paris Pioneersa network that allowed him to escape the solitude of working from home. “Don’t stay alone, join networks”she advises. Incubators not only allow you to benefit from advice, but also to meet other entrepreneurs who are going through similar difficulties. This support is particularly valuable during the first intimidating professional experiences, such as her first tax audit… A stressful moment that she recounts in our interview.
Incubation networks, according to Chrystèle Gimaret, play a fundamental role in the development of entrepreneurs, by preparing them for the realities of the profession and by offering them outdoor work spaces. These communities make it possible to take the drama out of certain stages of the journey, such as long contract negotiations. “The contract signing cycle can be very long, especially with large companies”she explains. By joining networks, entrepreneurs can gain a realistic understanding of deadlines and processes, while thriving in a sharing and supportive environment. Not feeling alone is also important…
A few words about Chrystèle Gimaret’s career
Chrystèle Gimaret is a personality of sustainable entrepreneurship in France. After an initial success with Artupox, she founded in Ekoklea pioneering company in ecological industrial cleaning. Convinced of the need to combine economic performance and respect for the environment, Chrystèle imposes an innovative approach in a sector where traditional practices have long prevailed. Ekoklean stands out for its use of non-polluting products and a policy focused on the well-being of its employees.
In addition to her entrepreneurial activities, Chrystèle Gimaret is also a coach on the show France is moving on Europe 1, where she supports and advises entrepreneurs looking for solutions to develop their project. Accustomed to incubation networks, such as Paris Pionnières, she shares her experience and encourages new generations to adopt responsible practices.
Bold by Veuve Clicquot: the program that propels women entrepreneurs
A program to encourage women to become entrepreneurs
In a world where female entrepreneurship remains an issue, Veuve Clicquot is committed to its Bold by Veuve Clicquot program. Inspired by the audacity of Madame Clicquot, who ran the champagne house in the 19th century, this program aims to promote today’s female entrepreneurs. Through awards, training and networking events, Bold offers concrete resources to women entrepreneurs to remove obstacles and advance their projects.
Under the leadership of Carole Bildé, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of Veuve Clicquot, the house, long committed to promoting daring women’s careers, brings a strategic vision and a desire for impact through Bold. For several years, the program has expanded to include international events and develop accessible resources, with the aim of strengthening the place of women in entrepreneurship and creating inspiring models for future generations.
The Bold Woman Award: a springboard for ambition
At the heart of the program is the Bold Woman Award, an accolade that recognizes the most daring female entrepreneurs. This prize, awarded each year, aims to give international visibility to the winners, celebrate their impact in their sectors and connect them with key players. Veuve Clicquot wishes through this prize to promote inspiring career paths, thus offering the winners a unique showcase and professional development opportunities. More than a label, a springboard for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Bringing together a female support network
But Bold by Veuve Clicquot isn’t just about awards. By multiplying events and meetings, the program seeks to build a real community of women entrepreneurs. Exchanges of experiences, advice and palpable solidarity form the very essence of Bold. By bringing women together around common values of boldness and determination, Veuve Clicquot strives to foster a dynamic of mutual support that allows female entrepreneurs to strengthen their impact. Bold is now expanding to a global network, allowing entrepreneurs to rely on global resources and support to grow their projects.
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