How Adaptability, Grit, and Systems Built My Unlikely Path
When people ask me how I went from washing dishes to becoming the COO of a multimillion-dollar company in just a decade, they often expect a simple answer. The truth is different. It was a journey defined by grit, adaptability, and the principles of what I now call The GIRIER System.
This approach, focused on consistent and intentional action, allowed me to overcome insurmountable challenges.
Today, I want to share my story, not as a tale of overnight success but as proof that transformation is possible for anyone willing to commit to the process.
Humble Beginnings in French Guiana
I was born and raised in French Guiana, a French overseas territory in South America, just north of Brazil.
My diverse French, South American, and Caribbean heritage has shaped my resilient mindset and purposeful approach to life.
Growing up as the only child of a single mother, I witnessed firsthand the strength required to navigate life's obstacles.
I learned early on the importance of independence.
Watching her struggle while still finding time to nurture my dreams instilled unwavering strength and self-reliance in me.
Leaving Home: A Journey into the Unknown
At 18, right after high school, I left French Guiana to pursue my education in Paris. It was a leap into the unknown.
It was my first time:
- Moving to another country and living alone.
- Seeing snow and experiencing bitter winters.
- Facing life's harsh realities without a safety net.
Though technically the same country, it felt like a different world to me.
Despite these challenges, I was optimistic, but that didn't last long. I failed university, ran out of money, and felt utterly lost.
Finding Discipline in the Gendarmerie Nationale
Uncertain about my future, I joined the French Gendarmerie Nationale at 19. The three years I spent in a response unit transformed me.
I learned discipline, adaptability, and quick decision-making under pressure, skills that would later prove invaluable and continue to guide my daily life.
First creative and entrepreneurial experience
Music Video of Exil, directed by Michel Grangenois and performed by yours truly :)
While in the military, I took on my first entrepreneurial venture: independently launching a music album.
Producing music and shows was more than just a creative outlet.
It taught me the power of persistence and the importance of pushing through self-doubt, qualities every entrepreneur must master.
Returning to School and the Birth of a Vision
After completing three years of military service, I returned to school to study business and supply chain management.
This decision opened doors to work on an ambitious global logistics project for one of Europe's largest automakers.
There, I discovered the power of lean principles, tools, and strategic thinking, which form the backbone of The GIRIER System.
Starting Over in the U.S.
Despite my accomplishments in France, I felt the pull of new opportunities and moved to the United States, settling in Hoboken, New Jersey.
It sounded like a dream but could have turned into a nightmare:
- I couldn't find a job.
- I couldn't speak the language.
- I almost died and needed emergency surgery.
But I refused to give up.
Trial and Error
Through life's challenges, I've learned survival is about seizing every opportunity.
I went from a corporate job in Paris to kitchen work, washing dishes, walking dogs, making drinks, teaching French, and many more. I worked multiple jobs, sometimes all at once, until something clicked.
What seemed like chaos was a systematic approach.
I identified gaps, filled them, and built momentum.
The Coffeehouse: Learning Leadership
Coffee was the first thing that clicked for me.
Within a year, I went from broken English and knowing nothing about coffee (I don't drink it myself) to running a successful coffeehouse with a dozen employees.
My secret? Relentless work ethic, curiosity, and the humility to learn.
I woke up at 4:00 a.m. every day, worked long hours, and maintained a positive attitude even when it was challenging.
It paid off, and these experiences taught me the value of servant leadership and the importance of building systems that work even when you're not watching.
MOLKOÏ: Combining Passion and Opportunity
A recurring conversation with my coffeehouse guests inspired my next venture. Many commented on my accent and expressed regret about never learning French.
Seeing an opportunity, I launched MOLKOÏ, a French club where I taught adults French through games and conversations in a relaxed atmosphere.
MOLKOÏ wasn't just a side hustle but a masterclass in lean entrepreneurship.
I held my French classes in coffee shops, bakeries, and restaurants, with which I formed mutually beneficial partnerships.
I would bring customers and orders during their less busy hours and associate their locations with cheerful memories in my members' minds.
In exchange, I could use the agreed-upon space for free, and they would do most of the advertising and student recruiting for me through posters, sign-up forms, and social media posts.
The result was a thriving club with multiple locations, low overhead, and a consistent revenue stream.
Breaking Into the C-Suite
One of these partnerships led me to meet the company's owner, who would define my next chapter.
She liked what I had accomplished with my coffeehouse and what I was doing with my French club and asked me to join her leadership team.
I started as a financial controller and became Director of Operations.
After getting astounding results and leading the company through the pandemic, I did not feel appreciated for all I had done; I needed something new.
I left and held the same Director of Operations role at a more prominent industrial company in the Bronx, New York.
It was a different challenge that taught me much about myself and others.
However, it was not the right environment for me, and after an open dialogue with the owner about what didn't work the last time, I quickly returned to my previous position.
My team was as ecstatic to have me back as I was to have the opportunity to continue what I started with them.
Eventually, I advanced to Chief Operating Officer because of the results I achieved and because this position reflected the stage and size the company reached under my leadership.
Some chapters didn't close as well as they should have, but that's life, and that will never diminish my gratitude.
If you read this, thank you!
The Cost of Success
I will be sincere, vulnerable, and transparent here.
While the climb was exhilarating, the ascension took its toll.
After a decade of intense grind, working 80 hours a week in a high-pressure environment, not always being treated fairly, and not finding purpose in what I was doing anymore, I hit a breaking point.
I burned out and went through one of my most severe depression episodes ever.
I ignored the warning signs, but eventually, it caught up to me. I couldn't take it anymore, and I couldn't function.
I needed to stop everything, and for the first time, I realized that success without alignment isn't true success.
This period forced me to confront hard truths and reevaluate my priorities.
I found myself questioning everything: my career, my goals, and even my sense of purpose.
Reinventing Myself in Poland
After deep reflection, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life: leaving behind a "successful" career in the U.S. to start anew in Poland. It was terrifying but liberating.
Poland gave me the space to heal, grow, and reflect. It reminded me that reinvention is always possible, no matter where you are or how old you feel.
I've grown so much and will continue to do so.
I know now that I can do anything, but I also know the mistakes and pitfalls to avoid.
Lessons from The GIRIER System
Every step of this journey has reinforced the principles of The GIRIER System:
- Start Small and Build Momentum: I leveraged every opportunity to gain experience and skills, from washing dishes to managing teams.
- Adapt and Evolve: I embraced change, whether it was learning English, mastering coffee, or starting over in Poland.
- Invest in Systems: Success isn't about working harder. It's about building systems that multiply your efforts.
- Focus on Alignment: True wealth isn't just financial; it's about finding work and lifestyle that align with your values and goals.
Your GIRIER Journey
My story isn't unique.
I've shared it with you because I want you to see that no matter where you start or how tough the journey gets, anything is possible if you are clear on what you want and stay focused, adaptable, and resilient.
The GIRIER System is not a magic formula. It's a mindset and tools to help you seize opportunities and create your own path.
Whatever your starting point, remember: transformation is possible.
You have everything you need to begin.
Ready to take the next step? Start small, start now, and trust the process.
Work with me:
Speak French in 2 Hours
If you've always been scared of learning French or never thought you could succeed because of bad experiences or lack of confidence, that stops here.
In the past few years, I've successfully taught French to over 600 people and speak four languages myself.
I will guide you from beginner to conversational and help you unlock your full potential.
I will give you confidence, tips and tricks, and a personalized learning plan of guided conversations tailored to your unique learning style and needs.
You'll have everything you need to speak French from day one.
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