Can you describe your background and tell us what made you want to get started?

After working for a large advertising group in Paris for a few years, I wanted to work on a concept of my own, to find my place. Not that I was unhappy in advertising, those were the good years, but I felt that everything in me was not aligned, there was like a small void, a small gray area that allowed introspection and made me question the role I wanted to play in life. When I arrived in Dubai where I followed my husband, I knew that my time had come even if landing in this strange city was very complicated for me. That's where I decided to open the first concept store in the region, Counter 102 : it is a space where design, fashion and jewelry mix, with an organic restaurant, opened in 2012.

Later, I wanted to push this concept of healthy and respectful eating a little further with a sense of individual responsibility and a strong desire for a collective. That's how we launched Wild & the Moon . For those who are interested, I tell my whole story in my book, I do the whole introduction about my journey.

Why did you decide to open your first restaurant Comptoir 102 in Dubai?

I followed my husband… not very original so far. When I opened my concept store, I couldn’t find a canteen in the city where I could have a healthy lunch. I had lived on a plant-based diet in the “juice bars” of New York, here, there wasn’t a single organic or healthy restaurant. I missed it, I listened to a little voice that whispered to me: create what you lack… I would never have imagined such a sequel…

Can you tell us the story of Wild & the Moon? What’s in it?

The shop's customers immediately loved the restaurant. Counter 102 . People came, asked questions, wanted to make the same recipes at home. In fact, I discovered that there was a strong demand for taking care of oneself, and learning to eat well - something we were far from suspecting as the Emirates were then the kingdom of junk food. And Wild & the Moon was born from this demand for healthy, local, seasonal, organic, respectful but above all joyful food, where I wanted people to meet, in a spirit of urban community around themes such as the plate but also environmental issues.

A story behind this name?

Wild evokes the original, organic, unprocessed, unhybridized ingredient.

Moon evokes the cycle of Nature, of the seasons, of femininity. A subtle cycle; most humans live without worrying about the moon, and yet, if we take the time to stop, to be attentive to it, to tune into its rhythm, a new virtuous circle is established: of calm energy, of gentleness, of serenity, of benevolence for the planet.

How would you describe the recipes from Wild and the Moon?

These are joyful, vitamin-packed, simple but creative recipes, the kind that nourish the body and soul. The challenge is to show that 100% plant-based is not boring, that you can enjoy plants, with a little creativity.

Decorations that are always beautiful and represent you. Where do you find inspiration?

I have always had a taste for decoration. Since I was little, I have attached importance to places and what they give off. I think that traveling has also enriched me. In fact, I am often told that the Wild & the Moon spaces are at the crossroads of American culture, cool and relaxed, and French culture, chic and refined. These are also my two nationalities.

After Dubai and Paris. Do you plan to open your green canteen and concept store in New York?

I would like to, let's say it's in the plans, when Trump calms down.

How would you describe the term “healthy”?

It's a bit of a catch-all term and there's healthy in all sauces these days. It just means "healthy", and therefore lots of different things depending on the person, but I already think it's great that "healthy" is finally fashionable!

You just threw your cookbook . What is the must-have recipe from your book?

Hummus tirelessly takes me back to the sweetness of life in Dubai. It's truly " comfort food ": soft, creamy, regressive. It's easy to make, the ingredients are in the cupboard, it's full of protein, it can be customized in 2 seconds with what you have on hand, everyone loves it and it can be cooked in any season. I could have kept only this recipe, but it was too short to publish a book.

What Wild Recipes do we find in your book?

Summer or winter salads, light or comforting soups, family dishes or meals on the go, bowls, noodles, shakes. And also detox or vitamin juices, smoothies for children and smoothies for sports, porridges, bars and energy snacks, gourmet or light desserts. All plant-based, gluten-free, beautiful and super good.

Any advice for managing your daily life as a mother and entrepreneur?

Not really, I find it difficult like all the entrepreneurial moms I know. I just try to stick to my routine: 1 hour of sport every morning, family dinners and disconnected vacations (not a given on this last point but I don't despair of getting there one day)! And then I learned to "let go" of a lot of things, not everything is perfect, nor as I would have imagined. It's often a bit chaotic, often imperfect... but whatever happens, in this blur, I put a lot of love into it. The rest is of little importance...

What advice would you give to a young woman who wants to get started?

To never lose sight of the final objective, even if the paths taken are strewn with pitfalls (a lot) and it is often tempting to take the back roads that would make us deviate from our values...

What are your wellness tips as an entrepreneur?

Finding a business, an idea, that resonates with you. I also believe a lot in “there is no better business than a business that does good”.

What does D+ for care mean to you? What is your relationship with food supplements?

I obviously prioritize a healthy diet above all, and ideally we shouldn't need supplements... except that when we work like crazy, we're stressed, we live in a polluted environment, a little boost doesn't hurt! So, I take supplements every day.

Between us… Do you recommend D+ for care to your girlfriends or is it your best kept beauty secret?

I'm the sharing type... I would never have written a recipe book otherwise. Besides, you can now find your brand at Comptoir102, and I am very picky!

What’s your best-kept beauty tip? Your morning ritual to stay in shape?

1 hour of sport before breakfast, rain, snow or wind.

What is your mantra for the end of the year? The one to stay motivated no matter what happens in your life as an entrepreneur.

Uh for 2020…?! Keep swimming! :)

Otherwise for "normal" years: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again.

What makes you feel beautiful?

Freedom.

Which category of D+ for care women do you identify with?

• The natural and life-centric woman: taking care of myself starting from the inside, the best of nature to have the best of me.
• The woman on the go: the gesture is effective, the stick can be taken anywhere.
• The “Freedom Freak”: mixing freedom, festivities, nonchalance
• The cheeky one: compensating for my busy schedule for a clear conscience and beautiful skin.

And finally… “Less is more” or “More the better”?

Less is more, obviously, even if my bathroom shelves are full of (clean) products to try! :)