What does it mean to start a business as a couple?
This February, when we symbolically celebrate love in all its forms, we wanted to know more about those who have taken the crazy gamble of embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure as a couple. This is the case of Julien and Jennifer, aka JULES & JENN to their friends, who founded a meaningful business together in 2016, offering more responsible fashion. But how can you peacefully balance your private and professional lives when you're together 24/7? How can you work together for the best without losing your feathers? Here are some answers in this joint interview, in complete transparency!
What was the meeting like?
Jennifer : In Toulouse, in prep class. We hit it off right away: he's nice and we laugh a lot together. We become friends and our friendship continues through school. Then the holidays come around... and I miss him. Is that normal for a friend?
Julien : 18 years old, in prep school, we're trained to do interviews for school entrance exams. Each student is filmed and the video is broadcast on screens. I see Jennifer. I find her pretty and natural. I fall for her immediately... but we become very good friends. Too bad!
JULES & JENN: Where did the idea come from?
Jennifer : After working in the industry for years, I wanted to offer a more responsible, sustainable, local fashion that had less impact on the planet. A brand with strong values that will make you want to get up in the morning!
Julien : The challenge of getting into fashion but in an innovative and respectful way, and above all going against what is done in the sector, because in 2016, transparency was not really fashionable...
Best quality and biggest flaw in the other (at work)?
Jennifer : His generosity: he thinks of others before himself. His flaw is perfectionism! He always checks everything down to the last comma, and sometimes it takes a long time...
Julien : What's great is that she's full of ideas, and she believes in them wholeheartedly. On the other hand, she's impatient: when she wants something, it has to be done right away.
Who does what? Are there rules?
Jennifer : Sharing tasks came naturally at JULES & JENN because we had two different profiles that turned out to be very complementary: I come from marketing and Julien from finance.
Julien : There are no real rules: we feel free to move forward on our subjects because we each have the trust and support of the other.
The best memory as an entrepreneur?
Jennifer : First JULES & JENN belt on the cover of Elle magazine <3
Julien : First JULES & JENN package delivered to our very first customer!
Advantages and disadvantages of working as a couple?
Jennifer : We work with trust and transparency, with the same common goal, which is great in a professional setting. We just have to remember that before being partners, we are life partners and parents.
Julien : There is no doubt about each other's motivation and a real complicity in the action, but it is not always easy to leave office problems at the office...
Any final advice for those who want to start a duo?
Jennifer : Force yourself not to talk about work outside of office hours. Luckily, our children are very vigilant about this principle!
Julien : Distribute the areas of action within the company to be efficient and... avoid clashes.
Would you be ready to try the adventure yourself?
