Charlotte Maes presents "Les Simples de Charlotte", an organic and natural cosmetics brand of which she alone manages manufacture and sales. Support her project by allowing her to participate in the Made In France show next month in Paris. 

Charlotte, can you tell us about your career since you left school? 

During my time at NEOMA, I studied in the Marketing Master's program in Rouen, from which I graduated top of my class and which led me to hold various project manager/brand manager positions in pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic laboratories. 

Working in large facilities and in the health sector has been a great experience: understanding how the system works from the inside, discovering effective strategy and communication tools, etc.

In school, I specialized in marketing, which I still consider a fabulous tool today, but which seemed "dangerous" to me and dependent on the intention and ethics behind it.

Then, I decided to drop everything for a seven-month trip to Australia. It took me seven months to reconnect with nature and take a step back.

I began a long process of reflection to determine how I wished to live and earn a living while staying true to my principles: respect for life and the environment, meaning and responsibility.

Being already aware of natural care as a child in Morocco, I was touched by the power of Australian nature and intrigued by Aboriginal medicine.

Something new opened up to me... That's when I decided to continue my journey into the world of medicinal plants.

Upon my return to France, I followed the curriculum of the Ecole Lyonnaise des Plantes Médicinales (School for medicinal plants) for 3 years and became an herbalist.

Tell us about your brand: Les Simples de Charlotte. 

I am passionate about the simple transformations of plants: hydrolats, solarized oily macerates (which I make at the top of the mountain near my home in Provence), essential oils, vegetable oils... so many "treasures" that amaze me with their colors, textures, smells and properties.

How can we share this passion for simple things and ‘Les Simples’ (the name given to medicinal plants in the Middle Ages)? On the one hand, by hosting ‘herbalist and natural cosmetics’ workshops and, on the other hand, by making minimalist and organic infusions and cosmetics with 100% French, natural and organic ingredients. 

In December 2016, I launched my own brand, "Les simples de Charlotte". 

Discover the online store Les Simples de Charlotte

I like working directly with small French producers and my products are certified by the Nature & Progrès label (one of the most demanding labels for natural and organic products). I alone manage all the manufacturing stages of the products as well as the sales and communication of the brand. My products are then marketed on my site but also in shops and on e-concept stores. However, I am very demanding on the partners with whom I work and on the quality of the products they sell. I now collaborate with 9 shops, always favoring local networks, and also with Internet resellers based in Paris. 

I use my marketing knowledge daily with ‘Les Simples de Charlotte’ and try, through every decision, to use it intelligently and responsibly.

Discover Les Simples de Charlotte : 

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