Podcast Episode 27: Interview with Mimi Bleu, Founder & Editor of Paris-based Belle Inspiration Magazine.

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Hi, everyone, and welcome to Episode 27. I’m Sharri Harmel, Business and Life Coach and Creator of Be the Real You Magazine that we are launching on April 1st. So today we’re doing something a little bit different, and that is we are going to talk with Mimi Bleu, who is the founder and editor of Bella Inspiration Magazine. So, let’s see if I can figure out how to admit Mimi and get started. Hopefully, she’s there. There she is.

Sharri: Sometimes the audio takes a minute. There you are. Welcome. I just I just did a little introduction, I said, this is episode twenty-seven and today we’re going to talk to me, meet Mimi, who is the founder and editor of Belle Inspiration Magazine, among other things, which we’ll get to. So, if you want to me jump in and tell us a little bit about yourself. And I know you’re in Paris, France, one of my favorite places.

Sharri: And so, I want to know how you got here.

Sharri: We need more volume if you can.

Mimi: OK. I don’t know, is that better, a little better? Yeah, that’s as far up as it will go. OK. All right. Well, just a little bit about myself. I’m originally from Florida, from the Tampa Bay area, and I’ve been living in Paris for nearly 15 years now.

Sharri: 15 years. Did you say it would be soon, be 15 years? Oh, goodness.

Mimi: Yes, time goes by when you’re having fun, I guess.

Sharri: Yes, it does. So, how did you get here? How’d you get here – like I was there. How’d you move to Paris.

Mimi:Well, a man brought me here.

Sharri: A man? Not just any man! just

Mimi: I fell in love with a very special man, Jean-Pierre. I traveled a lot to Paris. I’ve always loved Paris. And I was here in May of 2006. I came here by myself, it was a three three-week trip, just a little holiday for myself. And I happened to run into this very handsome man on the Avenue des Champs Elysées. And the rest is history. I guess it was listening, destiny. So, yes, it was a very good story.

Sharri: And as you’ve shared with me a couple of times, there’s a book in there somewhere. And so, everyone is listening. At some point Mimi’s going to be writing a book about that story. S I introduced you as the obviously the founder and editor of Belle Inspiration Magazine, but you weren’t in the digital magazine space before you moved to France. What did you do before France?

Mimi: Well, before France and in Florida, I was in the real estate business. My family was in real estate. My dad was an investor. And I worked with him. That’s kind of what I wanted to do since I was a kid. He used to take my three sisters and I with him sometimes on weekends. And I was just always intrigued with the whole the whole business. But I started working with him and I got my real estate license at 18 and then my broker license at 19 and went ahead and opened my own real estate company.

Mimi: But that still allowed me to work with my dad. So, he taught me everything I know. And it was a huge honor to work with him. He was amazing, man.

Sharri: Wonderful. But also, no grass grows under your feet because you were busy and ready to get into the workforce at eighteen rather than think about what it was you wanted to do with your life or what you wanted to be when you grew up.

Mimi: Yeah, yeah. I guess I always knew what I was meant to do. So, I was fortunate that I could do it.

Sharri: But you changed, obviously when you when you married Jean-Pierre and moved to Paris, it must have changed. And it’s important for other women to realize that at some point there are many points in our lives for various reasons where we kind of have to stop, reassess where we’re at and then figure out what direction we’re going is. Would you agree with me?

Mimi: Yes, very much so. And that I kind of went through that, you know, I went from twenty years as a real estate broker and in the whole real estate business, which can be rather fast paced, you know, to move here, I couldn’t speak French at all. So that pretty well squelched any idea of moving into real estate here because I couldn’t communicate. So, yeah, there was lots of new things, lots of changes, lots of lessons, probably two or three years of feeling like a dope because I couldn’t communicate.

Sharri: I know the feeling.

Mimi: Yeah, exactly. Well, one good thing, though, the French are very patient and very kind. I did have my Bonjours, my s’il vous plats and mercis down pat.

Mimi: I think that was a good key for them to say, well, she’s trying and helped. So, they were very kind. So, just tried to feel my way.

Sharri: So, do you’ve told me before about how you started out with this blog and so kind of talk? If you don’t mind a little bit about the progression. Oh gosh. Write a blog and then obviously the blog got some traction and then how you decided that you were going to really launch the magazine off the blog, because that will be important to women.

Sharri: And also put it in context, if you can, Mimi, because that, as you’ve shared with me in our prior conversations, that space was very different when you began versus how it is today. But women still might get some ideas from you.

Mimi: Well, yes, it was it was really just kind of a progression. Since I didn’t have a normal job, I spent a little time on the Internet, and I stumbled across these blogs. And that’s just when the blog world was just starting. I didn’t even know what it was exactly. So, I did some research. And anyway, make a long story short, I decided, well, this is sort of interesting and it piqued my interest a bit.

Mimi: And I thought maybe women would like to hear my little stories about my new life in Paris. So, I went ahead and just created my little blog. I used Blogspot.

Sharri: So, this is how long ago it was?

Mimi: It was around two thousand eight, the end of two thousand eight. So, I’d been here a few years. And anyway, I just started posting photos and writing about my day’s adventures out on the streets of Paris and women really seemed to like it. The blog world was very much more of a community, I think, because it was just starting. But anyway, from there I just somehow developed just a small group of followers. It wasn’t a big blog at all.

Mimi: But during this time, I happened to come across the first digital magazine that I had ever seen. I didn’t even know they existed, really. And I believe it was out of Australia and it was a home design magazine. I don’t even know if they’re still in business. And I forgot the name, but it really intrigued me. And I thought, you know, this is really a good idea. You could do so much with this whole idea and this platform.

My wheels started turning and maybe because I had been out of the business world that I did enjoy, it was very exciting to me.

So, I started off very excited, it was something new. It was a different kind of business to learn and an opportunity. I think it was getting into the groove with something again, creating something again. And it was something I really was interested in and I wanted to learn more. So, I really just researched it and I kind of put a little blog post out.

Would anyone be willing to read a little magazine? All about France, all things French.

And they overwhelmingly said yes. So anyway, I just got busy, and I absolutely knew nothing about creating layouts of putting the magazine together, photos, content.

Sharri: I mean, I don’t even know Google was in existence!

Mimi: No, I really don’t even know how I did it. But I just I guess I was maybe I was too dumb and excited to realize what I was getting into.

Sharri: It’s really key and important that you don’t have to know all the answers. It’s right if it’s something that excites you. Yeah. you don’t have to perfect.

Mimi: Yes, that’s true. Because now ten years later I’m still not an expert on it. I still learn every day. So, I think that’s something else to consider. You never reach a point where I’m ready now, I can launch or now I’ll put it out. You know, you have to be a little prepared, obviously, but you know what I’m saying.

Sharri: Yes.

Sharri: Yeah. I think that’s something as women we sometimes do, though, when we’re thinking of starting a business, it’s as though we’re waiting for the sign that now I know enough or now I’ve taken enough courses or now someone’s giving me permission to do that. And I love that you didn’t wait for any of that.

Sharri: You just charged in that world. So how did you know, though, that besides the fact that it was exciting and new, and you liked it and felt jazzed about it, how did you know you’d be any good at it?

Mimi: Well, I didn’t really. It was totally different than anything I had ever done in my life. And, you know, the year or so I was having a little fun with that blog. You know, maybe that that helped me a bit. But, you know, I just I just loved the idea and knew that it had potential. So, I just decided to go for it.

Sharri: The blog must have helped you in some ways maybe to understand your audience, understand what they were interested in, what they weren’t interested in, because that’s a bit of kind of organic market research, if we want to call it that.

Mimi: Yes, yes, that’s very true. I realized when I published a post they really would respond to and maybe more than another post and learned what subjects they were really excited about and would comment on. And you know, the main thing I realized that women just love anything to do with France, and myself included. So, I understood that. But yeah. Yes, you do.

Mimi: You know that part was easy, but and there are certain specific subjects they’d like more, I think at least something that I can give them. So, yeah, that was a lot of good market research on the blog, yes.

Sharri: That’s really important for, you know, for people to understand that. are sometimes because and I think you and I have talked about this before, that sometimes what we like, nobody else likes. And so, it’s really hard to find out. Am I an oddity here? Am I an outlier or is there like a whole tribe of women out there like you? That’s very important.

Sharri: Yes, very interesting. So, Belle Inspiration Magazine has been in existence now, for how long?

Mimi: Ten, ten and a half years now. September of 2010

Sharri: Belle Inspiration Magazine is only part of what’s involved into what we would call the Belle inspiration brand. What else is underneath that umbrella?

Mimi: Oh, well, I guess probably the main thing that has come out of Inspiration magazine is, you know, I do a lot more private tours now.

Sharri: What is that? Explain private tours?

Mimi: Well, so many people come over to France. I get a lot of people from the magazine, a lot of subscribers, but I’ve done this long enough and now have lots of referral clients and regulars. They just want to come and experience France, Paris mainly. But now I kind of take them all over France. And if they really want an insider’s view of France, they want that authentic, you know, authentic la vie Française, as we say, authentic French life. They don’t want to see it from a tourist point of view.

Mimi: I create bespoke experiences so they can have dinners in private homes and special things, and my main specialty is taking people to the markets, les Puces.

Sharri: What is that to a woman that may not know what you mean by the market or les puce?

Mimi: Oh, ok. Well, the French markets there are antique markets. Sometimes they’re called les Puces, which literally translates to the fleas. So, its really their version of a flea market. They are there all the time and they’re special. People come from all over the world for certain markets here in Paris and some in the rest of France. So, some people come and shop each year and they have shops at home, boutiques where they resell the items and lots of interior designers, but many people that are just interested to peek, maybe bring a little treasure home with them, something they can tuck into their suitcase.

Sharri: Exactly. Or bigger treasures.

Mimi: Shippers are right on site so that’s not a problem. But, yeah, women especially love anything to do with that and France is just a wonderful place for market.

Sharri: So, you bring an opportunity for everyone to bring a little of France home with you and to help you remember those bespoke tours. But if people were interested in the magazine, as an example, where how would they find you?

Mimi: Well, you can find all the information about what I do in the magazine. Just go to belleinspiration.com.

B-e-l-l-e with an ‘e’, the French spelling, belleinspiration.com.

Sharri: I love it. There was something I wanted to ask though about. Reinvention and who knows, you might have another one in your life, but that career reinvention, is there some, I don’t know, advice you have for women who are at a point in their life, maybe they work in corporate, and they’ve just had it and they want to go off and start something of their own.

Sharri: Or if it’s a woman who’s raised her children at home, she’s been home and is ready to kind of spread her wings. What is the kind of mindset that one must have? Because you successfully did it. And so, if you can share just any words of wisdom to help women to make that transition it will be appreciated.

Mimi: Oh, well, offhand, I would say just have confidence in yourself. You know, I know I you’ve talked about this a lot on a lot of your podcasts because I listen to them. And self-confidence is a big problem with a lot of women. And I just would encourage them to try to forget, you know, maybe things that you’ve thought about yourself in the past and know that you are good enough and you can do something if you want it badly enough.

Mimi: I know everyone has different opportunities, different situations in life, but I also just think start small. Start like right where you are and just tell yourself that, you know, you can do it and you must act on that. I have days where I wake up and I think, oh, nothing’s working today. I’m done. And what am I doing right now?

Mimi: That’s all normal. But you can’t let that define everything and you give up It’s something you have to really work on, I think, at any stage that you’re in. But I think that’s important. And, you have to know that you do deserve a lot in your life. You deserve all the best things in life. We do. We just have to go for it.

Sharri: Oh, I love that. I mean, it’s really so what I hear you say, if I can kind of summarize, is that, you know, it’s like you have to believe in yourself and believe in your idea. Start small. You don’t have to have a plan to conquer the universe right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t, but you have to start someplace, and you have to get moving. Get off the paper and moving.

Mimi: Right.

Mimi: And that that’s the key. The first step is the hardest. It’s so important because until you take that first step, well, nothing will happen, even if it’s just a tiny little step, you know, it’s a start. Ye. It’s kind of out of the gate, so to speak. Yeah.

Sharri: So, what supports you when you are having one of those days where you just sit there and go, oh, my God, I don’t feel like doing a thing or whatever it might be. That’s hard to do in Paris right now with all the cafes closed. Do you have certain people you surround yourself? Are there certain people that are inspiring to you, just what feeds you when you need to be fed? I don’t know how else to put it.

Mimi: Yes, well, obviously surrounding yourself with, like-minded women or like-minded people that you know will build you up and not drag you down. Yes. I think that’s really important who you’re surrounded by. I know you, Sharri, have helped me a lot and you help me all the time. Keeping your mindset on target and straight.

Mimi: I’ve been very blessed in my life. I had loving parents that instilled in me that I was good enough. I could do whatever it is I set out to do, never to settle and I did deserve good things. And I know a lot of women don’t have that. So that’s an extra hurdle, but we just have to keep pushing forward.

Sharri: Yes, I always say we have to go back and parent ourselves sometimes in the way we wished we had been parented. If we miss those kinds of parents, that doesn’t say you can’t parent yourself to be in that place. That’s what I hear you say. And your faith is important to you.

Mimi: Yes, it is. Yes my faith covers everything in my life, really. I have the foundation with good parents, but my faith for me, that’s how I can put what they taught me into action. That gives me the strength to actually act on and put it all into action.

Sharri: So, it’s really that we have to take, which is part of I think you called I don’t know if you use the word grit, but it’s like just getting through it. And the only way you get through anything, as I hear you say, and I have learned myself, is to just take action. And sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Mimi: Yes, that’s true. Sometimes, even now, I’ll do little things that are offshoots from the magazine and some things have been very successful.

Mimi: I do subscription boxes that have been great. And then I’ve had other little ideas that weren’t so great. So, I phased them out. But that’s how you learn. Again, you look at that as market research, you’re eliminating what your market is really not so keen on. Right. And helps you zero in more on, you know, what they really want from you.

Sharri: But trying things, right. Yes. On paper, everything can look good, or everything can look bad or workable. And the only way you get things moving is to take action. I’m assuming you get ideas from some of those things that don’t work out so well. Yeah, it’s not a complete failure. It’s like, yeah. Oh, you know if I could do it a little bit different, that would be interesting.

Sharri: So, what’s going forward. Where’s Mimi going next?

Mimi: Oh goodness.

Sharri: Do you anticipate obviously staying in France and she could by the way ladies, she can speak French no.

Mimi: Some days are better than others even after all these years.

Sharri: And Belle Inspiration Magazine.

Mimi: Yes. It’s getting bigger still even through the lockdown, I think women just wanted even more of France because they can’t come over quite yet. So, yes, I want to continue to grow. And yes, I still plan to stay here in France.

Sharri: Yes. I have to have somebody to visit when I go there.

Mimi: Yes, exactly. I plan to continue with Belle Inspiration and my tours when people do return. And yes, I really want to make the magazine just better and better. And I want it to grow and continue to, you know, you know, give women what they want. Working on a few new projects now, maybe stemming from feedback that I’ve gotten from the readers and my clients.

Mimi: I’ve done a lot more videos and working on a video platform. Lots of exciting things coming up.

I think that’s another important point is never to stand still. You have to continually move forward. And, you know, like when I first started the magazine, I really only knew personally of two or three other digital magazines on the digital platform. There are now tons. And that’s a good thing because then people become more familiar with it.

And I just think it leads to more opportunity. And again, you just you can’t stand still. You have to keep moving forward and making what you have better and expand.

Sharri: I find it really interesting. And for those of you women who are in corporate America, I mean, this is what you do for huge companies, whether you’re Nestle or Coca-Cola or Target or whomever. And yet you have to take some of those same principles and apply them to a much smaller business or a solo business that I recommend. You have a team, but it’s still a relatively small team of people, right? Yes, it’s fascinating to me.

Sharri: Yes. Well, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. If anyone who loves France and their tagline – Mimi’s tagline for her magazine is Because a Woman Loves So Many Things. Is that right? Am I right?

Mimi: Yes.

Sharri: It’s a wonderful magazine. I highly recommend it to everyone who happens to listen to this podcast, to consider going online and and signing up because it’s wonderful. And when the gates open, when France opens the gates, this bespoke tour operator. It’s great. It’s more like touring with a with a member of your family or a really good friend is the way I would describe it. I’ve sent all kinds of people to meet Mimi. So anyway, thank you for sharing. I will see you soon. I’m just going to sign off here and you and I will be talking soon.

Mimi: OK, thank you so much, Sharri.

Sharri: So, everyone, if you haven’t heard on April 1st, my new digital magazine, Be the Real You is going live. And again, this magazine is for women who are really ready to step into their big dreams. And to do that, honestly, and I think you heard it from me today, you have to be real. You have to be authentic. And that is the only way that you can have that big, big life that you deserve.

Sharri: So, articles in the magazine are going to range from interviews with successful businesswomen owners, mindset tips. There’s going to be conversations on topics like honoring and valuing your time or ways to override any self-confidence or self-esteem issues that often get in your way, especially as women, as well as some fun way that we as women can embrace joy to be that star that we need to be in our own lives. I love good humor, so they’ll be a little humor in every single issue.

Sharri: Truly, this has been in the works for a while and I’m just thrilled to be able to share it with you today. I call this you’re going to laugh, but it’s true, the women’s “Business Women Authenticity Movement”, because it really is about you being who you truly are and deciding what it is that you really want in this lifetime and then doing it, taking that action. So, someone asked me if it’s just for businesswomen. And I want to clarify that.

Sharri: Not at all, though, creating and running your own businesses is truly a focal point. But it’s truly for all women who are ready to be and live as their real and authentic selves. So, to go to sharriharmel.com to subscribe and let’s make this authenticity movement big. So, I will see you soon. And I’m signing off. Take care.eu