Discover :

• Axelle Frachon
• Promotion 1997 - MST-IPCA
• Founder of French Elixir

What is your éducationnel background ?

University degree in Biochemistry, then a master's degree in Sciences and Techniques from ISIPCA in Food Flavors option and a master's degree from INA-PG in Innovation management.

What is your professional background after ISIPCA ?

I did my apprenticeship at the Firmenich applications laboratory in Neuilly. Then, I had the opportunity to be hired by the host company for my final year internship at Agro: Perlarom, in Belgium. I started in the sensory analysis lab and then progressed as a Junior Flavorist. Perlarom was bought by Danisco, I was then a flavourist specialist for drinks, then, a new takeover by Firmenich.
I actively participated in the integration of the two companies and continued my work as a beverage flavourist.

Then, I moved to Hong Kong where I extended the scope of my skills to perfume. I worked as a consultant for Nose Who Knows, a perfume training company. Then, I created my company, French Elixir Ltd, which offers training and workshops in Perfumery. My clients are mainly luxury companies in Asia and I also give lectures for ISIPCA in Taipei and Shanghai.

How did you get the idea for this project and how did you set it up ? 

Hong Kong is a city where it is rather easy to start a business. As for the idea, training, education in Perfume is one of the keys if we want to sell perfume, especially to customers who do not have a historical and cultural relationship as strong as the one we know in France. . It was an opportunity to be seized! I trained, especially thanks to the ISIPCA Summer Universities to complete my studies. 

What has been the greatest challenge you have overcome in your entrepreneurial adventure? What barriers did you encounter and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenge is to reinvent myself over the successive moves of the family. France, Belgium, Hong Kong, France, Hong Kong again ... No time to be bored, I have moved 11 times since the start of my professional career. I still manage to find a common thread in my activities and I always learn. 

What were the key moments that contributed to the success of this project?

More than moments, they are people. Certainly ISIPCA and the Osmothèque who placed their trust in me: thank you to Philippe Dubost, Anne-Cécile Pouant and Patricia de Nicolaï for their support, as well as Myriam Polygone and Caroline Autret for their help. Sandy Blandin of Nose Who Knows, who got me started, and the loyal customers who call on you many times and with whom we develop a meaningful relationship. And I thank them for that!

Thank you also to the association of students and former students of ISIPCA which awarded me the first "Alumni award". It is a great pride to be the Ambassador of ISIPCA abroad and I am happy to receive this honor! 

What advice would you give to successfully manage the creation of a business?

The hard work and the desire to improve yourself.  It allows us to create quality content and deliver it with passion.   

Anything else to share?

I'm moving to Copenhagen again! Students or alumni of ISIPCA who would be there, let's get in touch! I look forward to developing new "Aroma and Perfume" projects there, see you soon!  

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