Virginie van Gysegem is the founder of Poupette Biscuits.
She makes bespoke biscuits, and also offers creative workshops in her Lab/Workshop which has been open since May in Paris in the 11th arrondissement, at 44 rue Richard Lenoir.
Whilst one might think that this passion stemmed from childhood and that she used to bake with her mother or grandmother, the idea of making artisanal biscuits came to her rather later in life, right in the middle of a career change following a background in television production and then the music industry.
From her past experience, Virginie has retained her rock 'n' roll edge, creativity and daring.
To create Poupette, Funky Biscuits, she added a good dose of authenticity and great precision, all sprinkled with an enormous amount of joy.
Poupette is lovely, and it tastes great! But like any entrepreneurial adventure, it isn't always simple.
To be completely transparent, we spoke:
From his lack of an initial business plan — but his unwavering motivation; ;
Profitability, which can be difficult to achieve for this business model; ;
Behind the scenes ;
And of everything that deeply drives it, which explains the rapid development of Poupette, launched barely 3 years ago.
I met Emmanuelle Roule Thanks to Charlotte Brunet, LA Marseillaise is indispensable. The Charlotte Brunet Agency She offers the curation and organization of sensitive experiences, and in particular artistic projects. She thus introduced me to gems, including a workshop visit with Emmanuelle Roule.
Born in Saint-Etienne, now based in Marseille after living and working in Paris and abroad, Emmanuelle Roule is a designer, art director and ceramist.
A graduate of ENSAMAA Olivier de Serres, Emmanuelle started out in graphic design before discovering ceramics almost by chance.
Whether she talks to us about bees, geology or design, Emmanuelle offers a rich and technical analysis without being hermetic. Quite the opposite.
Because everything she undertakes is guided by a great curiosity and a desire to break down the barriers between all disciplines.
Immediate embarkation for a journey to the center of the Earth.
Granddaughter of the painter François Bret, who founded the’Luminy School of Fine Arts and Architecture in Marseille,
And daughter of Marie-Christine and Roger Pailhas, famous for the eponymous gallery in Marseille and also founder of Art dealers, which he liked to describe as «the smallest art fair in the world»,
Julie Pailhas has always been immersed in art — and entrepreneurship.
She started alongsideOlivier Saillard at the Fashion Museum in Marseille, before doing an internship in the press department of Dries Van Noten in Paris.
From opportunity to recommendation, Julie then worked as a fashion stylist and artistic director for numerous iconic magazines for 25 years.
And then lockdown called her back to her home city, Marseille, where she created in 2021 Inanimate Objects, her flat-gallery.
Stylist – curator – gallery owner, Julie is renowned for her discerning eye, her flair and a certain radicalism.
It was the first time I'd met her, and I couldn't leave!
Together, we naturally talked about her journey, and how she managed to find her place within such a family; ;
And, of course, the design and organisation of its exhibitions, whether held on-site or off-site; ;
From its business model; ;
And how and why it differs from a traditional gallery.
With the desire to showcase emerging or established artists, Julie Pailhas has created, in her own home, a unique space that reflects her personality and brings people together.
Portrait of Julie and her cat Momo in her flat-gallery in Marseille © Florian Touzet
