Let's meet Marie, CEO, founder and creative mind behind Apana by Marie.
Marie is a French entrepreneur, mum of 2 adorable kiddos who decided to try the American adventure with her family. After a few years in Arkansas they moved to Florida - And that when we met. Thanks to social media I discovered that Marie was moving to our wonderful community and decided to reach out.
Our first 'business meeting' was at a tiki bar with some Pinot grigio and mussels and I knew our collaboration would be successful.
HOW DID EVERYTHING STARTED?
Marie is a French PhD and used to be a passionate researcher in Physiology and physiopathology for 10 years. Moving in the US with her family has been the beginning of an unexpected exciting new work chapter. She started a new career focused on holistic health and began a certified nutritional coach, yoga and Pilates instructor.
Apana by Marie was born during the covid19 pandemic when everything shut down including the studio where she was teaching at. During the lockdown, Marie started to enjoy designing meditation Mala necklaces and more. Her friends eventually noticed that she should start thinking to sell them.
And here is she, what was just a hobby, began a new passion and a very serious business in less than a year where she can let all her creativity skills live. Everything at Apana by Marie is chosen, designed, crafted and photographed by Marie.
WHAT WAS THE NEXT STEP?
When I met Marie, she was developing her business and was new in the area. It was time to launch Olala Events and I was looking for some vendors for the Grand Opening coming. There we were, I gave her a call and invited her to be there. It was Marie first Pop-Up market, and she had some doubts of being ready, I remembered telling her I am not ready either, but we don't have any other option. If we don't try it now and believe in ourselves, we will never be ready.
With around 20 items, she trusted us and started her big adventure. Now with an inventory of more than 100 items, Marie is a major jewelry designer at local and international level.Â
WHY DO YOU LIKE PARTICIPATING IN THE OLALA EVENTS?
First of all, I like to be part of the Olala events because of Amelie. She is the first person I met in Sarasota and my first support. She pushed me to create a booth when I wasn’t feeling ready. The whole story started because of Olala.
Basically, Apana launched with Olala. Our stories are forever connected!
Second, Olala is the only popup market made exclusively by women for women. I kind of love this idea of women empowerment. We are like a small family that supports each member of it.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR WOMEN WHO ARE STARTING THEIR BRAND?
Do not wait to feel ready to start. Because you’ll never be. Trust your guts. And go !
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