In Her Own Words: NATALIE MASSENET [Women In Tech Series]

On the run up to Women’s Day on the 8th March, we are paying homage to 7 women who have made a name for themselves in the world of technology. The names behind the women we are honoring might not be commonly known, but there is no denying that they are quietly making a difference in their field. In this series, the women personally share their experiences and challenges whilst also giving us a glimpse into the lessons that they have learnt along the way. In her own words, we share Natalie Massenet most inspirational thoughts.

Success begins at that magical moment when you declare to yourself, your friends, and the universe that you believe you can do something different. Part of creating the future is to follow this consumer. Women are working; we’ve moved the store to the desk. Now, though, she’s is in the back of a cab with her iPhone or her iPad, she’s tweeting an outfit that her friend is wearing and desperately trying to find out where she got her shoes online.

Do not be one of those people who only point out the problems. Have a solution. I don’t like critics who aren’t doers themselves. Having the positive belief that it will all be OK, just means that you hustle and make it work because failure is not even an option in your own mind. Always go into meetings or negotiations with a positive attitude. Tell yourself you’re going to make this the best deal for all parties.

Remember that there’s no right time to have kids and no perfect formula. The good news is there isn’t a wrong way, either. I think I’m a better mother because of work, because I’m happy. If I wasn’t working, I would just be waiting for the kids to come home every day, and living vicariously through their lives. That is why my personal ambition remains the same – to be creative, to be modern, to stay one step ahead, to enjoy life.

When it comes down to it, I think fashion is actually very good training for being in the tech world, because it’s all about moving on to the next thing, looking for the next thing, not getting stuck in the past. I believe that all brands will become storytellers, editors and publishers, all stores will become magazines, and all media companies will become stores. There will be too many of all of them. The strongest ones, the ones who offer the best customer experience, will survive. In order to stay relevant, you have to stay open to new trends and keep educating yourself. You have to keep evolving.

As an entrepreneur, what drives you has to be the good news; otherwise, you just don’t get out of bed. Also, once you start a business, you have to grow it and grow with it. Never let anyone talk you out of a good idea. Only twice I let people talk me out of good ideas. Now to think that my best idea was born the day I borrowed a creaky laptop from my husband, went into the web, and never came back.

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