MONACO WORDS OF WISDOM
ENG
HelloMonaco: What inspired you to start this company?
Daniela Boutsen: When I was first with Thierry it was a little
challenging for me because he was coming from a celebrity
category, due to his first passion. So following my husband on
the racetracks was for sure an amazing and exciting experience,
but it didn’t fulfil me from my businesswoman side. So when we
started Boutsen Aviation 20 years ago, it was absolutely fantastic
because he was a businessman and I was a businesswoman and
we were the perfect match. I could bring in my knowledge of
building up a business, and he could bring in his second passion
which is for aircrafts. But it was extremely technical, so it took me
away from my art heart and artisan love. But then, six years ago, I
had the opportunity to decorate two Airbuses, and I thought this
was fantastic. I could bring in my talent for organisation and the
creativity I always had in me. So it was really exciting because all
of my experience came together in this new job.
HM: Working with your partner can sometimes be difficult. Do you
have any rules to separate business from personal life?
DB: Well, I think we have a very special relationship. It is based on love
but also very much based on respect. And I think respect is a keyword
in our relationship, because you have to respect your business life
together, but also you have to respect your private life together.
It all comes naturally; we want to switch over to our private life once
we are home. We don’t have any rules, but we had to learn. When we
started our business, there was not the kind of communication there
is today. So when we were at home there was more peace and privacy.
But today, everything is connected and you have to reply immediately,
so we had to learn over the years to adapt our lifestyle and be more
disciplined and cut-off once we are at home.
HM: Would you say that you are a happy woman?
DB: I am a very happy woman.
HM: How do you find happiness?
DB: Happiness is different for everyone. I started with my husband
23 years ago and everyone knows that people can change and take
different directions. In our case, we still want the same things and
we are developing together. We are always taking care of each other
and we continue to develop confidence together. For me, that is
happiness. And one day, we will be sitting like a very old couple, on a
bench outside looking back on a very happy
life together.
HM: Is harmony important for you?
DB: Harmony is a very often-used word,
but for me, it is a key word. Harmony means
balance and I am extremely harmony
oriented. I think this is my strong point. I’m
always focused on everything going very
smoothly because I need to have inner
balance through harmony. So when I am with
my family, it is very important for me that it is
going smoothly and harmoniously. But also in
business: I always make sure there is harmony
in my company. I have 15 people working for
Boutsen Design and harmony is extremely
important. Working in a competitive world,
with different nationalities, characters, and
personalities, and being in a small space
together, it can sometimes be a little bit
challenging to find harmony. But I always ask
if everything is fine, if someone is in trouble,
if they need some help or advice. I think
harmony within the company is important, and harmony with the
outside, with yourself, with the universe, and for sure with your family.
HM: How do you overcome obstacles?
DB: When I’m facing a complicated situation, I like to go walking. I
need to connect with nature. Or I have to do garden work. For me, it’s
important to find solutions. Thierry likes to go on his bike for two to
three hours, and then he comes back and he has found a solution. But
normally I go hiking. I need to isolate myself, take some time out and
listen to the birds and nature. Then slowly, but surely, the correct answers
come. And then it’s very important to go back with Thierry and speak
with him to get his opinion. I don’t always need his confirmation, but he
is very good and precise in his advice. It’s very valuable.
For me, success is the final
client, sitting in his private
jet, or enjoying an evening
on his yacht and sending
me an SMS saying it’s abso
lutely great, what you did.
HM: What is success for you?
DB: Everyone can define success differently. For me, success is the final
client, sitting in his private jet, or enjoying an evening on his yacht and
sending me an SMS saying it’s absolutely great, what you did.
HM: What value does money have for you?
DB: Money doesn’t bring happiness; money brings security and
stability. And you have to use it right. For sure, we