Hi Beatrice – it’s so lovely to meet you as I’m a huge fan of your brand, so tell me…

What’s in a name? Why Merci Maman?

Hi there, I’m glad to hear that you’re a fan of Merci Maman!

As for your question, “Merci Maman” means “Thank You Mum” in French. When I created the brand 15 years ago, I wanted something that represented me and what I wanted to offer. Being French myself and living in London, I was looking for something that was both stylish (and French is used a lot in English with Haute Couture for instance), easy to understand irrespective of your mother tongue and that would represent gifting, especially towards for mums.

Merci Maman is a name that is very close to my heart, as it reflects the gratitude and love that I have for my own mother. I wanted to create jewellery that was not only beautiful but also deeply personal and meaningful, and that would help people express their love and appreciation for the important people in their lives. The name “Merci Maman” captures that sentiment perfectly, and I hope that every piece of jewellery we create helps to strengthen the bonds of love and connection between family and friends.

What does a day in the life of Beatrice look like?

Wow. Very full and very diverse ! I have four kids myself (aged 11 to 19) and the day would start with them and my husband. Then I have several jobs really: mum, founder of Merci Maman, president of an association helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses and I’m elected in the townhall of my hometown.

As founder of Merci Maman, I tend to focus primarily on people, making sure that everyone is well and has everything she needs (yes “she” as we only have female employees apart from my husband), on products and especially new collections, and on marketing, ensuring that the brand, our photos / videos / the way we communicate remains powerful and authentic to who we are.

So, in practice, that means meetings with my team to discuss upcoming projects or to brainstorm new ideas for our product lines, checking website and marketing performances to ensure our community and customers are satisfied. I believe that building strong and long standing relationships is key to the success of any business, and I’m always looking for ways to better connect with our suppliers, customers, communities. In addition, I often attend industry events and conferences to stay up to date on the latest trends and network with other professionals whether they are in the fashion and jewellery industry or not.

I would love to say that I take some time to relax and recharge my batteries but it is not often the case so I get my energy through all the positive vibes around me, whether it is at work, in events or at home.

Family is clearly very important to you, is this at the heart of what you do?

Yes, family is very important to me, and it is certainly at the heart of what we do at Merci Maman. Our brand was founded on the idea that jewellery can be a powerful way to celebrate and strengthen the bonds of love and connection between family members, friends, and loved ones. Many of our pieces are designed to be personalised with the names, initials, or birthstones of family members, making them truly unique and special gifts that can be cherished for a lifetime.

In addition, as a mother myself, I understand the importance of creating a business that values family and work-life balance. We strive to create a positive and supportive work environment for all our employees, which allows them to balance their professional and personal commitments in a way that works best for them. Our company culture is built on the idea that happy and fulfilled employees are the key to our success, and we are proud to have a team that is committed to our mission and values.

Who or what inspires you?

As the founder of Merci Maman, I draw inspiration from many sources, both personal and professional. On a personal level, my family and children are a constant source of inspiration for me. They inspire me to create jewellery that celebrates the bonds of love and connection between family members and friends and to build a business that is rooted in the values of kindness, gratitude, and generosity.

In terms of professional inspiration, I am inspired by other entrepreneurs and business leaders who have built successful companies through hard work, dedication, and a passion for what they do. I am also inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship of designers and artisans who push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of jewellery and fashion.

Finally, I am inspired by the positive impact that our business has on the lives of our customers and the communities we serve. Knowing that our jewellery brings joy, comfort, and a sense of connection to people all over the world is the greatest source of inspiration of all.

Who is your ultimate Merci Maman muse you’d most like to see wearing your pieces?

Our jewellery is designed to be worn and enjoyed by anyone who appreciates beautiful and meaningful pieces. I am always thrilled to see anyone wearing our jewellery, whether it’s a celebrity or a regular customer who simply loves our pieces. The most important thing for us is that our jewellery brings joy, connection, and meaning to people’s lives, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Many celebrities have worn our pieces but I would definitely say that “my ultimate muse” has always been The Princess of Wales. She is so elegant, approachable, family focused, involved in many charities. This is really what I want Merci Maman to stand for. In 2013, after the birth of Prince George, her sister Pippa Middleton gave her one of our personalised necklace which we have since then names “The Duchess Necklace”. She wore that necklace on several occasions and it was picked up by the press and on social media and created a huge buzz on our brand.

Which is your preferred piece from your collection?

As the founder of Merci Maman, I must admit that it’s difficult to choose just one piece from our collection, as each one has its own unique beauty and meaning. However, there are two pieces that hold a special place in my heart.

The first is our Personalised Name Necklace, which features a delicate chain and a customisable pendant that can be engraved with a name or word of your choice. This is a piece I wear almost every day with the name of my four children and it has become an iconic part of our collection. I love the simplicity and elegance of this piece.

The second piece that I love is the Personalised Duchess Necklace I was mentioning earlier. It features our signature disc charm with the name of a children, a boy or a girl charm and a mini heart charms with the initial of the father engraved on it. I love the timeless elegance of this piece, and the fact that it is making it a meaningful and thoughtful gift.

Ultimately, every piece in our collection is designed to be personalised and cherished, and I am proud of the craftsmanship, quality, and meaning that goes into each one of our pieces.

The complimentary engraving is such a beautiful concept, is this key to your success?

Yes, I believe that our complimentary engraving service is a key part of our success at Merci Maman. We started offering personalised engraving from the very beginning because we wanted to create pieces of jewellery that were truly unique and meaningful to our customers. We believe that jewellery is more than just an accessory, it’s a way to express who you are, who you love, and what you value.

This focus on personalisation and individuality has helped us to stand out in a crowded market and build a loyal following of customers who appreciate the care and attention that goes into every piece we create. It’s also helped us to create a strong emotional connection with our customers, who often come to us for milestone moments in their lives, such as weddings, births, and other important celebrations.

As a business, we are dedicated to satisfy our customers through the quality of our pieces of jewellery but also speed of service (everything is done and shipped within 24 hours from London or Paris). I also take great care in our Corporate Social Responsibility, whether it is regarding the sourcing of our material (recycled gold and silver), the long standing relationship with our employees, suppliers, partners and our involvement with our community and charities. For me, running a business is not just about sales and profits but how things get done and I believe customers value that too (and increasingly).

You won the Queen’s award & even named a necklace after the Duchess of Cambridge…so are clearly a fan of the royals, how did you spend the coronation weekend?

Yes, of course!

As the founder of Merci Maman, it was a great honour to win the Queen’s Award twice and to have the amazing opportunity to speak with Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2017 and then with His Majesty the Prince (now King Charles III) at Windsor Palace in 2020.

Now, I would really love to meet the Princess of Wales, my ultimate muse as I said !

During the coronation weekend, I was in London, and it was a very exciting time to be there. I have great respect for the royal family and the history and tradition that they represent, and it was wonderful to see the city come alive with celebrations and festivities.