A single journal Natalie Valmary carried on a family trip through Asia sparked one of the most beautiful brands I’ve ever encountered, and reminded me how important it is not to wait on your dreams.

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie, the founder of Louise Carmen, to talk about creativity, reinvention, and what it looks like to build a business that’s deeply personal. Natalie shares how her idea took shape during a year of travel with her husband and daughters, and how it grew into a beloved journal company based right here in Paris.

Natalie also opens up about the stroke that changed everything, and the clarity it brought about what really matters. That part of the conversation hit me hard. What do we do with the time we’ve been given? Are we spending it in ways that feel true to who we are?

This episode is full of inspiration for women, whether you’re starting something new or finding your way back to what you love. We talk about personal transformation, the quiet power of journaling, and what it means to trust yourself in life and in business.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Natalie Valmary  

03:48 How Louise Carmen Was Born  

10:07 Family, Travel, and Creative Sparks  

13:12 A Lifelong Love for Journals  

17:08 Building a Brand with Purpose  

24:26 A Health Scare Changes Everything  

29:03 Growing the Business  

33:57 Finding Strength in Hard Moments  

39:10 Inspiration for Women 

Links

Connect with Natalie Valmary:

Louise Carmen Website: https://louisecarmen.com

Louise Carmen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisecarmenparis/

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com 

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm