“If you have chosen to live your business like the rest: with passion, conviction and good humor. If you are looking for blossoming as well as success. If you think you can do otherwise … see you soon!”
Who is Célia René-Corail? What is your professional background?
It’s a very good question, I would say a thirty something Modern woman, fulfilled and also overhwelmed mother, a romantic geek, cooking fan, an eternal enthusiast, pink and bio tendency, marketing pro, curious and optimistic. Otherwise, more formally, I’m 35 years old, 2 children and fifteen years of experience in Marketing. Throughout my career I have always chosen challenging professional environments which involved novel strategies beyond traditional marketing (product mix, advertising, discounts …). I perfected my skills working with leading brands, agencies creative, innovative start-ups, I learned the best techniques, the best customer strategies … and then I wanted more so I created OPTIMOMS.
“Marketing” a word which often makes people shudder and yet you refer to another more relational approach to marketing?
Sure … relationship marketing is already an “old” concept, an approach that many companies have integrated which consists of placing the customer satisfaction and loyalty in the heart of their business. I personally think that I am not the only one and that one can still go much further in search of sincerity, trust and authenticity away from the transactional aspect while still obtaining great results. This is also a strong trend in marketing in complete break with the views we have of it and with what is practiced today. Marketing is suffering primarily from hobbylike approach and improvisation. This is not just a means, not an objective. It is above all a process, with meaning, a method ,and techniques.
What do you think the main criterias are to “live your business with passion”?
” Wanting it” … this is accessible to all as long as you understand what makes you really vibrate. What drives you. This is precisely the work that Christine achieves with her Mastermind group. And of course, avoid letting this passion burn out: maintain it, share it with others, including your partners and customers.
Fulfillment and Success? 2 interdependent words ?
From my point of view, yes without hesitation: success undoubtedly contributes to fulfillment and it is always easier to succeed when one is under the best conditions. And generally, I do not necessarily differenciate my work and my personal life. I have only one life, just trying to make the most of it.
In your guide “How to Retain Your Customers” one encounters an unusual language for the business world. What is this seduction game you speak of?
There is indeed much talk of emotions, heart and love, but it is like everything I put out. This is an unusual language, but it’s mine. It is as genuine and as sincere as the marketing that I advocate. Instead, I would be inclined to say that it is business that is not consistent. The terms seduction, commitment, relationship, fidelity are all part of the business vocabulary from long ago and have been borrowed directly from the lovers’ vocabulary . All I did was give them back meaning and good sense. Marketing is too important a foundation for the success of a company to be complicated and inaccessible.Instead, it can be fun, quirky, creative as long as it is effective and that the fundamentals are understood and integrated.
Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently these last two years?
I probably would have thought a little more about myself and my deep rooted ambitions. I have long set as a reward to be able to transmit to others my knowledge and expertise. I have always told myself: one day, when I’ll be more known, when I succeed, I would write guides and host conferences. Today it is my daily life which makes me known and succeed as a professional. My reward now happens daily.
The best advice for the solo-entrepreneur or OPTIMOMS?
“Do what you like” … That’s my mantra, my vision, which guides me. I think that it creates a business that resembles you, that fuels your passion and will make others want to share with you. For the rest specifically marketing it is the method, technique, a little inspiration, and knowing how to be well surrounded in your network.
Your words of inspiration or favorite motto and why?
Wow … of course! A heartfelt, spontaneous, full of emotion and full of promise.
And you? What if your customers said Wow!?
Thank you very much Celia!
© Color Photo Céline Boura – Le luxe d’être soi
& B/W Photo: © Photo Nadine Court .