First interview with Valentine Cornu: creator of Alba
Hardworking and ambitious, Valentine shares her amazing journey and her vision of entrepreneurship through this interview. 🎤
In a few words, what is your background?
Thank you for the interview, I'm happy to share my journey with you. So, I did all my schooling in Belgium until I was 15. Then, I went to England where I took my baccalaureate at 18. I hated school, so I asked the director to do two years in one. He answered me: "No, it's going to be a bit short in maths", haha. I still wanted to try and, indeed, my grades were not sufficient, it was the "High Level" in England. 🇬🇧 Then I took the BBA Edhec competition without having obtained my baccalaureate.
I studied entrepreneurship and graduated top of my class. Giving a speech in front of 3,000 people was a big challenge for me, who was very shy at the time.
I studied entrepreneurship and graduated top of my class. Giving a speech in front of 3,000 people was a big challenge for me, who was very shy at the time.
I knew very quickly that I wanted to join the family business to make my contribution and develop my own project on the side: launching a bedding website thanks to my few years of experience in the family business. Today, I am the happy founder of Maison Alba ! I am happy to be able to tell you about my journey in this interview.
What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
I am the 6th generation of a family business and seeing my father's passion for bedding inspired me. I knew that this was the field in which I wanted to undertake. It was obvious!
Why start out as an entrepreneur in bedding and not another field?
At one point, ready-to-wear attracted me. When I was in England, I didn't revise much and I was bored, so I started a clothing brand. But bedding is the area I master the most and I want to stay in furniture.
Do you think that every entrepreneur should keep his project secret or talk about it around him?
For clothes, I talked to everyone, but for Alba, I didn't talk to anyone. Looking back, I still don't know what's best. I think you should only talk to your loved ones, to people you trust, to get feedback.
Do you think being a female entrepreneur in 2024 is a challenge? More so than if you were a man? Why?
No, I think it's a blessing. 50 years ago, our grandmothers didn't even ask themselves the question. So I think that today, we're very lucky; there are lots of groups and associations that exist and help people get started. For me, it doesn't change much; entrepreneurship is an eternal adaptation.
Today, we have disadvantages, but also advantages, like for example: the internet. I think that, when you are a woman, it is the same as before: you have advantages and disadvantages, and vice versa for men. It is just a question of mentality.
A person who inspires you?
- My father and grandfather, as well as my brothers, are people who each undertake in their own way. For me, there are no rules for undertaking.
- I also think of Colombine, my best friend, who is an osteopath and who is also an entrepreneur after all. She manages her patients all by herself and she is a hard worker.
In fact, bosses and especially enthusiasts inspire me.
What did you learn from this entrepreneurial experience?
The negative: managing solitude, a journey where you feel alone and that's normal.
The positive: perseverance. Despite all these somewhat solitary aspects, you gain a lot of self-confidence when you succeed.
Entrepreneurship is also about sharing your values. What impact do you want to have and what cause is close to your heart?
The greatest satisfaction is the feedback I receive from my customers. Seeing that people comment and like the product is incredible. And when I see their feedback: "I sleep better, I feel better or: I no longer have back pain", it is my greatest pride to see that I please them and that they please me in return.
What does success mean to you?
It's super corny, but what I sincerely think is that every day, you continue to love 100% what you do.
Do you think it is possible to be successful in your personal and professional life?
Yes, I think so, because everyone has their own definition of success. For me, for example, if I like what I do, it necessarily has an impact on my personal life, and if my loved ones like what they do, I have succeeded. My success is that my loved ones and I are happy.
End of the interview.
It was a pleasure to welcome Valentine for this interview and to learn more about her journey which will inspire many.
See you soon for more feedback! ✨
