52. Edith de Belleville-Your Paris Tour Guide

“That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed,” shares Edith de Belleville, native Parisian, official Paris tour guide, University professor, and published author. Edith spent many years as an attorney before deciding at the age of 50 to return to university for her official tour guide license. Now, she shares her love of Paris and its fascinating history with tourists in French, Spanish, and English. Deeply inspired by Parisian women of the past, Edith wrote her first book, in French, entitled The Beautiful Rebels of Paris ("Belles et Rebelle"  Editions du 81). This was followed by her second book, written in English, about her Paris memoir "Parisian Life, Adventures in the City of Light". 

Edith is one of many trailblazing women making a name for herself in the world of entrepreneurship. She did not let her age or any doubts get in the way of her dreams and wholeheartedly believes that people do not necessarily need a degree to succeed - just look at Coco Chanel! As a Parisian woman, Edith loves sharing the history of her city with tourists and watching how Paris changes each person who visits. She explains to Nesha that ‘entrepreneur’ itself is a French word, derived from the name of a brave knight. The modern meaning traces back all the way to the 18th century and denotes a person who takes risks with their money and ideas. Although ‘entrepreneur’ has French origins, the French approach entrepreneurship differently than Americans, making marketing her books a bit more challenging for Edith. She shares that even just telling people about her book could be interpreted as bragging and that for the French subtlety is key.

Many women are visiting France for their “Emily in Paris” moment and Edith is happy to share with them an inside look at what life is like for a native Parisian woman. Paris is a magical city with a rich history. And as Nesha recently discovered, deep ties to entrepreneurship. Take a note from Coco Chanel, believe in your dreams, be yourself, do what you like, and you too can be successful. 

Quotes:

• “Lesson number one, do what you like and be authentic.” (8:42-8:46 | Edith)

• “You don't need to have a degree… you can succeed, because Chanel did and she had absolutely no degrees, nothing.” (9:30-9:43 | Edith) 

• “That's what I call the Paris effect. You were in Paris, and you changed.” (14:04-14:09 | Edith)

• “I will be successful when my book is well known in America. Because for Europeans, the USA is the top of the top in business.” (28:06-28:16 | Edith)

• “Believe in your dreams.” (30:13-30:14 | Edith)
  
  

Connect with Edith de Belleville: 

Website | https://www.edithdebelleville.com/

Parisian Life, adventures in the City of Light | https://www.amazon.com/Parisian-Life-Adventures-City-Light/dp/1667831984/ref=sr_1_1?

Connect with Nesha: 

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/@neshapai1480/videos

Buy a copy of Nesha's book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943070741?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KEGQ1539QQ5N8Z8XHRNC

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