The book by Sarah Poniatowski Dream, dare, create… and start again (ed. Flammarion), published on November 6, is likely to inspire more than one. Indeed, at the head of Maison Sarah Lavoine, the former wife of Marc Lavoine no longer has to prove her success. She runs this decoration company, which has 19 stores and 150 employees. A business for which she is accompanied by a man her partner, whom she can trust with her eyes closed: Édouard Renevier. In her book, she shares the keys that made her success and tries to share her experience. Among a rule on which the businesswoman says she will not compromise, there is one that she applies daily.
“A rule to apply every day: never be late“, insists Sarah Poniatowski in Dream, dare, create… and start again. My day is precise. If I start not respecting the scheduled times, it's a disaster and it's disrespectful to others.” Maison Sarah Lavoine is Sarah Poniatowski and Édouard, in person. And it is good to remember: “Édouard and I have no one to help us. I manage my appointments, make my train tickets, call Health Insurance. Daily life will always take up space, you have to accept it.” Sarah Poniatowski also shares another principle that guides her in her progress. “Another principle guides me: I do everything, right awayadmits the director of Maison Sarah Lavoine. If I read a text, I respond to it, if I have to make a decision, I do it; I'm not reporting anything. This requires great discipline, but it frees my mind from all the little things that clutter up to-do lists. For me, anything that takes less than two minutes should be fixed immediately.”
Sarah Poniatowski, successful entrepreneur and mother of three: “my children come first”
Finally, like many other women entrepreneurs, the former wife of Marc Lavoine has childrenthree in number, which she shares with the singer. Yasmine, who came into the world first in 1998, followed by Roman in 2007 and finally by Milo in 2010. And of course a family takes up space even if it encroaches on professional life. And on this subject, the businesswoman knows what she wants. “Finally, I apply a chosen form of availability: my children come first and I am always available for them. Even if I was in a meeting with Michelle Obama, I would answer to my children! If you're going into entrepreneurship, time is the most valuable thing you have. Adapt to changes but not to delays. Keep your commitments and define your priorities, clearly and inflexibly“, she confides. Valuable advice.
