Meet Philippe NODET | CEO OF A COMMUNICATION GROUP

We had the good fortune of connecting with Philippe NODET and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philippe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I opened my first company 11 years ago in France, when I was 27. It was a corporate communications agency, which still exists and which I still preside over.

Then in 2018, I decided to open my second company here in California, an extension of the French business. When you start an entrepreneurial adventure, you love the challenges and excitement of the early days. Then COVID came along and shook things up.

My 2 companies still exist, but I decided 1 year ago to open my third company, an event space, coworking space and restaurant. A concept that doesn’t exist today and which is aimed at all new freelancers and entrepreneurs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
After 6 months in higher education I realized that it wasn’t for me. So I quickly stopped my studies and started working in what I was passionate about: journalism.

After working on a major radio station in France, I joined a communications agency, the excitement of events. I started out as a production assistant, then gradually worked my way up to become events director of a major advertising group at the age of 24.

Travel and events all over the world for major companies, improbable encounters but so rewarding. Then in 2012, the shareholders arrived from New York and announced the closure and sale of our event department.

A revelation. The desire to create my own destiny and open my own communications agency. Confident and sure of my clients’ trust, I set off conquering. I opened my first business in January 2013. The first few months went by and my loyal customers weren’t there, the big disappointment. No salary.
Then a client came along to organize a major corporate event. Confidence and the beginning of our success. From then on, one customer followed another, and so did the projects.
From 2, we now have 25 employees in France.

But I soon realized that the routine wasn’t for me and that I needed a new challenge, my dose of Adrenalin.
Heading for California!
Opening of a subsidiary of our communications agency and the certainty that we would have the same success as in France very quickly. Then came the cold shower: a different culture, a lack of understanding of the market. I realized I’d been too confident. It was a necessary slap in the face that forced me to sit down, discover and question myself. Surely the best experience.

We’ve been working hard and relentlessly,
We began to make a name for ourselves, and customers began to trust us.

All these personal and professional challenges have given me the skills I need to open my third company.
Today, I’m proud to manage 40 employees around the world, who have put their trust in me to help us meet the challenges ahead!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There’s the Los Angeles of the guidebooks and the Los Angeles of real life. In 5 years here, I’ve learned that LA is a fascinating city, far from the postcard image. From DTLA to Echo Park, it’s a crazy cultural mix! Cocktails and dancing at Good Times at Davey Wayne’s then after a night of dancing to ’70s music, a walk to Runyon Canyon and lunch on the terrace of the Malibu Pier.

Then I’ll head for San Clemente to see what is for me one of the most beautiful cities on the coast. The beauty of the beach, the fish restaurants and the atmosphere. Before ending up spending two days in the Joshua Tree desert at the Black House.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, to all my staff, without whom my professional successes would not have been possible.

Website: houseofcocotte.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houseofcocotte/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/house-of-cocotte

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