Interview with Self Made Entrepreneur Marie Blanchard

Background

Marie Blanchard is the Author of Dieting Deliciously, a professional fitness model, bodybuilding bikini athlete, and entrepreneur; both in and outside of Health/Fitness. In addition, she is currently pursuing her MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Beginning of Interview

What was the process for you to find what you wanted to do?

“Honestly, I had to re-evaluate my life and figure out where I wanted to be 5, 10, 20 years down the line. Eventually, I had to do a full lifestyle transformation.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? 

“Teaching and helping others figure themselves out until they are ready to follow a physical, nutritional, and psychological plan as they work towards goals and aspirations to be healthy and fit! It also motivates me to work harder on breaking my own barriers.”

Can you tell us about your company/job/hustle?

“I have been working on a project called Designer Bag Exchange, a platform that connects buyers and sellers globally involving luxury/designer bags and accessories for men and women. The sellers will be categorized into two separate entities. Private Sellers and Designer Bag Exchange Verified Dealers. For more information please visit, http://www.designerbagexchange.com“

What do you want your audience to know?

“I want them to know that I have come to embrace that the secret to being successful in anything that you aspire to become is hidden in your daily routines. Also, I have always valued having an education; There will be a time when my degree will be the only thing I can fall back on!”

What is your greatest success so far?

“Honestly, I’ve never really thought about it. I always have my hands in different baskets of goals I want to accomplish. When I finally achieve them, I check them off one by one and celebrate to myself!”

Where did you grow up?

“My growing up phase is cut into multiple parts; —I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti —I moved to the United States in 1996 when I was 10 years old—I lived in New Jersey, and spent my High School years in Stroudsburg, PA—As soon as I could, I moved to the city of Pittsburgh, and finally, in 2016 I permanently moved to  Soho, New York City — My current home is in TriBeCa, New York.”

Where are you from?

“I was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I live in Manhattan/TriBeCa, New York.”

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way?

“An Injury that led to 4.5 hr surgery, which took 8 months to recover ( foot and ankle reconstruction was down ), —Moving,—and coming so close to winning some of the biggest shows of my life and missing it twice by 1 or two places. My biggest regret was not continuing to push harder when I failed.”

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur?

“I am still learning myself; However, I believe that being an entrepreneur involves being resilient and consistent. In terms of growing and maintaining a sustainable brand, it’s important to first learn who your audience is. It involves not being afraid to take risks that others may find uncomfortable. It certainly involves lots of sleep deprivation initially…Make sure you’re aware of the ABC’S of accounting; if not, hire yourself an accountant.”

 Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

“Running a self-sustained, multimillion-dollar company. A bit optimistic; however, I am not losing hours of sleep for my health.”

 What is some advice you would give to a young entrepreneur?

“Find your passion and run with it. For longevity, do your research, build relationships, make smart investments, and keep yourself surrounded by others with similar success-driven aspirations.”

Who is your biggest inspiration?

“It truly depends on what phase of my life I am in. However, I get my inspiration from the average person who has to build himself up out of nothing. Those who work in silence, as they spend sleepless nights towards achieving a dream. Those who went from sleeping in their cars to run their own company. The single mother who puts herself through college as she raises a son or daughter; with all odds against her.  Finally, those who worked tirelessly to prove to “herself” and others’ wrong when no one had faith in her to succeed…Not even family.”

Learn more about Marie Blanchard at her website and her Instagram, order her recipe book here, and keep your eyes open for Designer Bag Exchange in 2021.