“No matter how many difficulties you have faced so far in your life, stop focusing on how worse things can get. You have to believe that you can always find a way to turn things around and give yourself that much needed second chance” this is What we believe and why we fight for Dondoks to be a sustainable brand. Like us we wanted to shared the stories of women who try to build What the live for #Girlbossmovement
Sophie Marie Dibdin
28 years old, Kalon Wellness Co-founder`
We wanted to start this first episode dedicated to that perfect friend who makes our circle of life more inspirational and she is Sophie a girl who began her professional dancer career in Lido de Paris at the age of 18 years old and at the same time doing her studies in master intercultural management graduated with honors. A few years later she decided that she wanted to start her business and she launched Kalon Wellness Retreat.
Her motto "Workout like a dancer"
When and how did you realise that you wanted to become an entrepreneur?
When I realised I wanted to be free in my own projects and make my own decisions. One idea turned into another, then another… and then I realised i had an opportunity to grasp and i should just try it !
How do you imagine yourself and your business in 10 years?
I hope to have worked with as many professional dancers as possible to help them transition into their new careers post-dance. I would love to be in a situation where I can offer work experience to many more dancers, aiding them to bounce into a new life where their skills and discipline as dancers can be harnessed and appreciated by all sorts of different businesses in various industries.
The best moment with Kalon so far?
There have been many great moments of pride: when we begin working with a new client (for example, Hotel National des Arts & Métiers in 2019), when we start working with new team members, when we build new partnerships (Repetto in 2019) and each time we go on a new and amazing Wellness Retreat ! One of the best moments was perhaps running and completing our first ever Wellness Retreat in Javea, in 2018. We were so proud and it was such an achievement for us !
Your best advice for a woman who dreams of becoming an entrepreneur ?
Make sure you have an idea that you will stick to, as it will be difficult if you launch and then decide that the project isn’t for you anymore !! Think about it… are you ready to work and put in the required effort? Are you ready to put aside the idea of financial stability in the time that it takes to get your project going? Do you have people around you who will support you?
What’s your favourite Dondoks model and how do you like to style it?
Currently I have 3 pairs from the first collections… Frida, Lety & Jaja. I love them all but my favourites are the cute Yoyo with the little round wooden heel ! They look good with skinny jeans, or a mid-length skirt/dress to show off the cute ties around the ankle.
What is your favourite item you have in your closet?
I am pregnant at the moment so i can’t always wear my favourite outfits unfortunately ! But in these hot summer days i love a little flowery dress :) a classic.
Do you think fashion has to be sustainable?
Absolutely. Currently with so much talk about the planet and the environment i think we can’t afford not to think this way. Although it can be difficult to find a balance for customers when they want something affordable but also sustainable… right now it seems like that option isn’t available. If we can focus on recycling old clothes, sharing with friends or giving to charity shops, we are already on the right track. Also, we don’t need SO many clothes. Maybe think twice before you buy all those items next time you go shopping...do you really need them all?
