S02E02 | From Silk to Cinema: Lola Pacchioni, CEO of Master Movies

For this second episode, recorded live, Lola Pacchioni tries her hand at podcasting on my microphone. Our meeting a few years ago at a pop-up store marked the beginning of a wonderful entrepreneurial friendship. This episode is an opportunity for us to take stock of our respective journeys, because entrepreneurship is far from a smooth road.

Today, Lola runs her family's film production company, Master Movies. Her passion for cinema dates back to a young age; she studied film and began her professional life in the industry. She faced a reality that shook her self-confidence and made her doubt her desire to pursue a career in the industry. Lola then sought to find herself again and founded IKA, her own colorful and emotional ready-to-wear brand, in her image. When it became difficult to juggle the two activities, Lola chose to devote herself fully to film.

Supported by an exemplary family with successful entrepreneurial parents [Editor's note: founders of Puressentiel], Lola is brimming with energy in her projects and sees "failures" as opportunities to explore new paths. She approaches her journey with a healthy philosophy, demonstrating self-confidence that she draws from her ability to take a step back.

How does Lola manage to move from one project to another?

Is it possible to combine work, passion and pleasure?

How did Lola deal with imposter syndrome?

I hope you like this new episode!

MARGAUX: When you were little, did you know what you wanted to do later? Did you have a role model?

LOLA: It took me a while to find what I wanted to do. But my true passion was theater. I started very young. I wanted to be an actress. Afterwards, I'm super lazy, I told myself it was going to be complicated, then I stopped very quickly in my tracks. But it was truly my passion.

I think my role model has always been my parents, with whom I've always been very close. They're the ones who inspired me to be an entrepreneur. My mother has several associations and my father is a very good businessman. They are very optimistic, who think work/pleasure and who have the ability to move from one challenge to another by saying "Okay, it's not working, but that's okay, because if it doesn't work, it means there's something else that will work."

MARGAUX: Would you say there was a project that gave you a taste for cinema again and that ultimately led you to return to production?

LOLA: In fact, if I came back to Master Movies, it's not for a specific project, it's more a question of personality, of confidence. Over time, I learned to assert myself. I remember at the beginning, when I went alone with my small suitcase, to visit factories in the north of France... you run into doors, you get told no, but it makes you stronger. By dint of being confronted with refusals, you toughen up. This gain in confidence allowed me to really know what I like, what I want to do. And I finally have less of this imposter syndrome, even if, well, it's still there a little.

 

MARGAUX: How do you juggle your life as a never-ending entrepreneur and as a mom, which is also a full-time job?

LOLA: Honestly, it's true that it's the hardest thing to manage. With social media, you see so much advice, parents who seem perfect, and you start feeling guilty about missing out on certain moments with your child. When I have to go to Cannes for ten days or attend a certain dinner, it's not just an entrepreneurial thing, it's the fact that it's MY company, it pushes you to give it your all... but then you wonder if you're missing out on precious moments. Lately, I took a step back from Instagram, because I needed to stop seeing these tips that make you feel less present.

But hey, my son is pretty cool about all that, so it helps to take the guilt off! Ultimately, I tell myself that if I'm happy with what I do, it will make him happy too. And then, being a mom has also made me want to succeed even more, to do something strong, something he could be proud of one day. It's become a real driving force in my professional and personal life.

MARGAUX: What do you like about ŌKAN?

LOLA: What I love about ŌKAN is that the jewelry allows you to remain in the background while still exuding a discreet strength. ŌKAN is that: everyday armor that protects you, accompanies you, and gives you the necessary weapons.

There, you see, I've been wearing them for a while now, and I feel like a 'strong girl'. It's this inner strength, this power that ŌKAN jewelry helps reveal.

Discover Lola's episode!