An episode on the 15th of each month since 2023.
On the 15th of each month, I host an artist, designer, or any other professional who contributes to the promotion and support of these trades.
We don't talk about the creative process – certainly fascinating, but already explored in other media. We discuss management, strategy, communication – in short, how the magic happens. behind the scenes.
Music and direction: Philippe Drevet
Let me introduce you to Gregor Schultze, my osteopath.
I’ve known Gregor for over 15 years, and I wanted to talk to him about listening to oneself, well-being, physical health and therefore mental health.
I also wanted to understand how he built up his client base, starting out in the fashion world.
Gregor and I have one thing in common: we both work on posture, among other things—he in the literal sense, me in the figurative.
During our discussion, I drew a parallel between our respective approaches, as well as between his position as a sole trader and that of creative entrepreneurs, who face the same challenges and must seize opportunities.
If I have titled this episode «thinking outside the box», it is because I discovered, thanks to this interview, that what has allowed Gregor to get to where he is today, both professionally and personally, is precisely because he has regularly stepped outside the box — in order to better align himself, refocus, and ground himself.
Some of the quotes from this interview that I particularly liked:
🙌 «Growing up as an apprentice was far richer for me than doing very academic studies — because in osteopathy there is a tendency to want to resemble the doctor, and we forget the heart of our profession, which is practice»
🙌 «Back when [I started osteopathy], I had dreadlocks, I played the rebel, and whether it was considered illegal practice of medicine, that suited me just fine, it fed my antisocial side!»
🙌 «I believe in the invisible»
🙌 «Working with well-known personalities was neither a goal nor an achievement — what was nice at the time was being able to make a living from my profession quickly. And to think to myself, ‘right, if this is happening, it perhaps means you really are where you belong»
🙌 «Working on the self, that is what holistic therapy is; it's up to me to offer the opportunity to go further. The more I progress, the further I can take people. It is a quiet ambition, but it is a real ambition—and one that is far more exciting than being John Galliano’s therapist»
🙌 « Having my practice on the ground floor, and being barefoot, is no small thing — the more grounded I am, the more you can lean on me, and the more I can be at your service. And the less I will suffer from the trials and tribulations of everyone else's lives, too »
Whether you are a designer, a brand, a journalist, or simply a design lover, MILAN DESIGN WEEK is definitely the place to be in April.
This was my second Salone del Mobile and I enjoyed it even more than last year because I knew my way around the city a bit more, I had more places to go to, and more people to connect with.
And this time, I also had the podcast in mind.
I am glad to introduce you to the 4 wonderful people I had the opportunity to briefly interview:
– Alberto Cavalli, Executive Director of the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship — based in Geneva
– Sarah Quan, Creative Director and co-founder of Villa Nomad — based in Zürich
– Riccardo Villa Fabbiati, Designer and Founder of Monstrum Studio — based in Milan and Paris
– Chloé Nègre, Designer and Founder of Studio Chloé Nègre — based in Paris
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The energy is really incredible in Milan during design week.
And as Alberto said, it really is the opportunity for everyone to challenge themselves, to create amazing experiences and basically to go bigger, higher and further every year.
A great example of this is Dimore Studio — I think we can say that they steal the show each time, in a good way!
I was completely blown away by the installation at Dimore Centrale. I got an aesthetic slap in the face. It was an immersive, magnificent and decadent, back in time, all in the details, decor & scenography. And everyone agreed that it was their favourite of all.
I also loved Gubi at Bagni Misteriosi — amazing location, great set up, the Gubi team were easy to talk to, they were really eager to know if people enjoyed it, and the whole thing was pretty well run.
And, of course, part of my top 3 was the Doppia Firma exhibition at Palazzo Litta where I interviewed Alberto Cavalli. I was familiar with the concept of «double signature — a dialogue between design and artisanal excellence» as India Mahdavi participated in 2018. I particularly like how they place the artisan, the «maestro d’arte», at the same level as the designer. And how the pieces interact with the palazzo, too. It’s like a conversation between the antique and the contemporary.
Which is actually what Milan is all about.
And as each of my 4 guests summed it up pretty well in one word — Salone stands for Epiphanies, Collaborative, Solare and Primavera.
And how would I describe Salone 2023 in one word? Exaltant. Exhilarating!
See you next year!
In this solo bonus episode, I wanted to share the highlights of the interview with India Mahdavi.
I worked with India from 2012 to 2021, as the Office Manager at the studio then Sales Manager at the showroom.
More than my former boss, she has become a mentor, and she is like a godmother to me and to this new podcast.
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I am truly honoured to have her as our first guest.
It was a delight to interview her and explore with her the fields of management, leadership, staff, communication…
These are unusual questions for creatives, and India’s answers were truly genuine, and so inspiring for anyone who’s a creative, or an entrepreneur, or both.
I am delighted to welcome India Mahdavi as the first guest.
An architect and designer, she has built her own business model — she calls it her ecosystem.
She has experienced organic growth ever since, which is actually the key to her continuous success.
With sincerity and her (legendary) sense of humour, India talks about the reasons why she chose this job; her team; and the industry.
She treats us with deep insight, genuine advice, and many « quote of the day »s as I like to call them.
The whole interview is in French — stay tuned for Episode 2.2 (April 15th), a solo bonus in English in which I go over the highlights of our conversation. For this first interview, I have the honour and pleasure of welcoming India Mahdavi — internationally renowned architect, designer and set designer, multilingual and colourful, she has made rue Las Cases in Paris the heart of her ecosystem.
She explains to us how she created her own business model, which is ultimately the key to her organic growth and long-term viability.
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India also tells us, with the sincerity and touch of humour that characterise her, about the reasons why she chose this profession, her team, and the design industry.
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♟️ «My advice to young people? Try to hit the mark, and know how to choose your compromises»
♟️ «If I went into this creative profession, it wasn't to end up having to deal with day-to-day administration.»
♟️ «I never thought I'd have a team of 25 people and have broad enough shoulders to be a business owner – and I still don't see myself as a business owner»
♟️ «Being a leader is about uniting people, knowing how to surround yourself, and seeing what matters»
♟️ «You, Lili, provide support, a backing, a structure to all those thoughts that are more organic, more free»
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In this first episode, I wanted to introduce myself and go through my career.
I talk about the game-changing encounters I made, the life-saving burnouts I went through, and the mind-blowing venture of setting up my own business.
It’s in French, but stay tuned for future content in English!
And please feel free to get in touch with me.
For this first episode, I wanted to introduce myself, and present my background and the reasons that led me to create this podcast.
I am a Business Coach, Mentor and Consultant.
My ikigai, my reason for being, is to instil — instil meaning to give breath, life, and desire. In instilling, there is simultaneously a dimension of inspiration, impetus and transmission.
My clients are talented, full of many human qualities, and my wish is to instil in them the mindset, vision and values necessary for their expansion.
I also give them keys to organise themselves when they are hypersensitive with a singular cognitive and emotional operating mode, which requires adjustments.
