Entrepreneurs should skip the selling tactics on the moon and instead get straight to the point, according to Pauline Boucon Duval, DG and Business Angel.
ARTICLE - Pauline Boucon Duval: The Powerhouse CEO Revamping French Real Estate
By [Anonymous Writer] for Capital, Published on [Date]
Welcome, Pauline Boucon Duval, Head honcho of one the major French real estate empires! A spirit of optimism fills the Parisian offices as she grins wide, her New Balance sneakers keeping pace with her energetic demeanor. Nearby, her bike helmet and the dog's basket stand ready, as the thirtysomething bares all about her journey, challenges, and driving forces.
When her father, business angel extraordinaire Eric Duval, whispers in her ear during her MBA studies in New York, Pauline didn't quite grasp the life-changing conversation coming her way. "[He] subtly invited me to come back, help him develop the group," she shares, likely aware that anything less wouldn't have persuaded her.
Coming back to France signified jumping headfirst into the unknown, landing amidst the warm embrace of her family legacy at the age of 26. She stepped into her role as CEO, carrying a name that both blessed and challenged her: "[I'm] a woman, the daughter of the founder. Legitimacy isn't handed over, it's earned." Coaching helped her establish her well-defined leadership foundation: "[If] you don't believe in yourself, others won't either."
Pauline's vision and drive reshaped the company's culture, fortified by the Knights of Endurance her mother instilled in her siblings and herself - autonomy, perseverance, adaptability, their pillars. Furthermore, her brother joined the family business, sharing the same familial values.
Venturing Beyond Business As UsualIn 2014, Pauline craved more than her duties as CEO offered. Her initial investment in the startup Lydia became a watershed moment in her career, typifying an insatiable ambition to explore new horizons. "[I] didn't want to be limited to one profession," she explains.
Her subsequent backing of startups carried a focus on female-led ventures, as she discovered that a staggering 40% of her portfolio belonged to entrepreneurs identifying as female. She finds their directness and passion captivating, making her an enthusiastic supporter of their ventures.
In addition to seeding funds, Pauline leverages the skills and resources within the Duval Group to propel startups forward, creating reciprocal benefits for both parties: "[Our teams] thrive on contact with innovative entrepreneurs; they challenge us to question ourselves and to adapt our approaches."
Collaborative Networks: The Cornerstone of LeadershipAs an active YPO (Young Presidents Organization) member, Pauline underscores the importance of peer networks in cultivating modern, forward-thinking leadership. "[Networks] are crucial for women," she emphasizes, "serving as catalysts for both personal and professional growth."
In the Duval Group, where women make up around 52-54% of the real estate sector, diversity is not merely an issue to be addressed, but a reality to be acknowledged: "[My father] has always supported women, and I followed suit."
TEP: Finding Balance Amidst DominancePauline views self-care as integral to maintaining a healthy balance in her life. An early career health scare (a vertebral fracture) made her acutely aware of the need to prioritize rest and self-care: "[Working tirelessly without attention to my personal well-being] would've perhaps been my downfall."
To counteract the whirlwind of her responsibilities, she makes a point of preserving space for silence, sports, and introspection. Weekends are devoted to balancing her inner self, spending time in nature and amongst her family. Her ability to ground herself amidst the demands of entrepreneurship serves as a testament to resilience.
A Lasting Legacy: Balancing Heritage with ProgressFor Pauline Boucon Duval, leadership demands a fierce balance between professional commitment, family values, and personal integrity. By combining tradition and innovation, she forges her own distinct path while honoring her family's legacy.
Did You Know?
- The Duval Group: Established by Eric Duval, the Duval Group is a major player in the French real estate sector, specializing in property development, asset management, and investment.
- Business Angel: A business angel is an individual who provides capital, business expertise, and networking support to startup companies in exchange for an equity stake.
- YPO (Young Presidents' Organization): Established in 1950, the YPO is an invitation-only organization composed of chief executives and business leaders under the age of 55, dedicated to fostering personal and professional growth through peer-led networking, learning, and collaboration.
Continue exploring [Business Pioneers], [Women in Leadership], [Leadership], [Management], and [Startups] for more intriguing insights on the future of business!
- With her investments in startups, Pauline Boucon Duval shows a keen interest in exploring new horizons beyond real estate, particularly women-led ventures, recognizing their directness and passion.
- In 2014, she expanded her focus beyond her role as CEO, fostering a portfolio of startups that revealed a significant 40% were women entrepreneurs.
- To foster modern, forward-thinking leadership, Pauline actively participates in the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), stressing the importance of peer networks, especially for women.
- Reflecting on her father's support for women in the workplace, Pauline continues his legacy by prioritizing gender diversity within the Duval Group, where women make up around 52-54% of the real estate sector.
- Balancing the demands of her responsibilities, Pauline values self-care, prioritizing rest, sports, and introspection, as displayed by her commitment to spends her weekends in nature and with family to maintain a healthy balance in her life.
