Model and Co-Founder of French Bloom, Constance Jablonski joins us for the latest instalment of From The Desk Of...
French model and entrepreneur Constance Janlonski‘s working day is not your standard nine-to-five. Here, the forever-on-the-go model opens up about her, at times, offbeat working schedule and tells us more about her latest business endeavour, French Bloom, an organic, alcohol-free French bubbly.
How do you start your days?
A big glass of French Bloom (just kidding!). I start each day with a large glass of water and a five-minute body stretch.
What’s your go-to uniform?
My go-to look is almost always high-waisted jeans, small heeled booties, and a boyfriend T-shirt or shirt.
Describe your workspace/ workplace…
Here there and everywhere! Being a model means I have to be able to work everywhere; hotels and airports to my own home and our French Bloom offices in Paris. I work wherever I can!
Identify something in your workspace that’s special to you (and why)…
It is all about the people for me! At French Bloom, I’m lucky enough to work with a small, hard-working team, who regularly inspire and motivate me. The shared passion we all have for creating a product that derives as much pleasure as the desire for wellness is invaluable, and we are collectively committed to making the business a top priority while keeping the culture positive and inspiring.
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What are your workplace essentials?
For the past twelve years, I’ve moved around for various modelling jobs, meaning I’ve learned to work effectively from just about anywhere. I simply need my iPhone, computer, AirPods, and a good Wi-Fi connection.
What time of day are you at your most creative?
Definitely in the morning, I’ve always been a morning person!
What’s your go-to lunch order?
I love a good bento box or a nice protein salad with lentils or quinoa.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
I’d say the most rewarding part about co-founding French Bloom is knowing that I’ve helped create a product that people love and one that can have a real, positive impact in people’s life. Knowing that French Bloom is part of the movement towards making healthier choices, while destigmatising the beliefs around not drinking is rewarding beyond words.
… and the most challenging?
Maggie and I launched French Bloom during the pandemic and as a result we learnt very quickly that as an entrepreneur you can’t always be in control of everything. Often there are external forces at work, (sometimes even breakdowns in the supply chain), that force you to find ways to problem solve, find quick solutions, and think innovatively. It goes without saying that starting French Bloom has been a massive learning curve, but it is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.
What did you study in school/university?
I studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York to become a certified IIN health coach. However, having worked in the fashion industry for the past twelve
years, I feel as if a lot of my education was gained at the ‘school of life’.
What was your first job?
My fi rst job was modelling – I was just fifteen years old!
Where are you from originally?
I am from a small town in the north of France.
What sparked your interest in modelling?
I was very keen to travel the world and learn English (my English was very limited when I first started modelling) and was excited to have the opportunity to meet and work with incredible creatives and artists.
What were some of the hurdles you had to overcome in your early days of modelling?
In the early days, the most difficult part of modelling was not being able to plan ahead. I was constantly travelling the world, with no idea of my schedule up until the day before I left. As a teenager it was not always easy to hear negative feedback from castings, however it meant that I had to learn and accept constructive feedback from a young age – which has proven invaluable in many aspects of my career. Ultimately, what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.
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Tell us about your new venture, French Bloom…
French Bloom was born from the desire to create a product that enables social togetherness without compromising one’s health. It’s a brand that I created with my friend Maggie when we both realised how few options existed on the market that met our expectations for alternatives to festive sparkling. Maggie was pregnant with twins during that time, and I was busier than ever travelling the world and changing time zones constantly. We both understood how important our social lives were, but didn’t want to necessarily drink alcohol on nights out and professional engagements. Sparkling water grew tiresome and wasn’t the celebratory bubbles we were looking for! With that in mind, we set out to create a product that derived as much pleasure as its desires for wellness and after over two years of R&D, we created our fully organic- and vegan-certified ranges of French Bubbly; Le Blanc and Le Rose. Both alcohol-free sparklings are sulphite free, low in calories, without added sugars, or any preservatives.
What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned?
I’ve learnt there is no such a thing as failure – just experience!
The best advice you ever received…
Care less about what other people think of you and instead focus on being the best person you can be for yourself!
What are you working on right now?
Alongside my focus with Maggie on the growth of French Bloom, I’m working on some beautiful modelling projects with Guerlain, Etam, and a jewellery brand that I’m not able to talk about just yet!
What’s next for French Bloom?
Having launched French Bloom in the UK, France, Belgium, Australia, and Hong-Kong, we are now turning our attention to international expansion in markets such as the US and Middle-East. It’s a very exciting time for French Bloom – so stay tuned!
Any Questions or Tips to add?