9 Questions with Mireille Guiliano

Mireille Guiliano is the former CEO of Veuve Clicquot, author of three best-selling books (French Women Don't Get Fat, French Women for All Seasons: A year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure, and her most recent book, Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire), and THE expert on French lifestyle for the North American woman.  I read French Women Don't Get Fat when it was released in 2005 and was delighted by Mireille's friendly, favourite aunt-like tone and intrigued by her balanced, yet pleasure-focused approach to eating and life.  I have since been a huge fan and was thrilled when she agreed to an interview.

1.  What is your morning routine? The first thing I do when I wake up is to drink a large glass of water.  Then I go for a yoga session and/or a long walk to get my metabolism going and then I sit down and have a balanced breakfast - usually yogourt, some buttered toast and black coffee (always a mix of protein/carb/fat).

2.  What five items should every woman have in her wardrobe? A little black dress is obligatoire (sleeveless and A-line works best for most of us), a cashmere cardigan in a neutral colour, a white blouse with high collar (great for interviews - a high collar equals authority and self-confidence), a pair of quality pumps, a well-tailored jacket and leggings.

3.  What is your favourite part of the day? Sunrise and sunset.

4.  What makes a woman beautiful? Being bien dans sa peau. (translation: at ease with oneself)

5.  What is the last book you read? I actually always have a few...rereading L'Elegance du Herrison which I first read before it became a bestseller (now translated into English and made into a film), almost finished The Legend of Colton H. Bryant by Alexandra Fuller which I didn't think I'd enjoy but actually learned a lot about life in Wyoming....and rereading one of my favourite author (Nikos Kazantzakis) English version (I read the French while in grad school) - The Last Temptation of Christ fitting for the holiday season although his Report to Greco and Zorba the Greek are two of his books I cherished the most.

6.  What inspired you to write "Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire"? There is a relative paucity of books by women for women about business.  And there is less help for women in terms of mentoring and shared experience from a seasoned, female business leader that the demand suggests.  When I spoke at universitites or at women's conferences or simply at on-on-one's, there were a lot of women who wanted to know more about my professional life, were craving advice on both little and big business and personal issues, and who encouraged me to answer their requests in a book.  All of my books and writings are designed to help people, and I agreed that through a "holistic" book on women and work - from strategies for career advancement to principles for living a balanced work life - I could reach a broader audience and hopefully help some people.  Et voila. You spend a lifetime gaining knowledge and experience, sometimes the hard way, and then what do you do with it?  I thought sharing it would be helpful to people at various stages of their professional and personal lives.

7.  How has life changed since you started writing books? My life has not changed much in that I am the same person and still work hard BUT I have better control of my time and am able to say NO to stuff I don't care to do.  I find that I am able to give much more through my books and help people in sometimes mysterious ways.

8.  What are your top three pieces of advice for women striving to succeed in business?

1.  Don't be afraid to take risks.  Ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen?

2.  Find something you are passionate about.

3. Hook your star to a talented and dynamic leader, s/he will take you upward with them.

9.  What are your top three pieces of advice for women in life?

1. Live a balanced life

2.  Pursue pleasures, love and laughter

3.  Everything in moderation

To read 9 Questions with Joe Mimran, click here.

If you liked this post please bookmark it on Delicious or share it on twitter.  Thank you

Technorati Tags: and the Art of Savoir Faire, French Women Don't Get Fat, Mireille Guiliano, Women, Work