Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Diane Montoriol. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Diane, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The essence of Merci Maman’s mission is to introduce the concept of chilled soups to the U.S. market, a trend well-established in Europe but unfamiliar to many Americans. These soups are unique because they are designed to be eaten cold, requiring no heating or additional preparation. This aspect sets them apart, offering a convenient, healthy, and novel food experience that American consumers have been missing. My goal is to make these flavorful, ready-to-eat cold soups a staple in American diets, just as they are in Europe.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At Merci Maman, we specialize in a unique culinary offering: chilled soups that are ready to eat, with no preparation or heating required. This distinctive feature of being enjoyed cold makes our soups stand out. Our goal is to make these tasty, ready-to-eat cold soups as popular in America as they are in Europe.

I founded the brand with a commitment to providing healthful, convenient, and delicious options. Our soups are always vegan and gluten-free. They are crafted from fresh, organic ingredients, ensuring each spoonful is both nutritious and flavorful. The concept was born from a blend of my passion for health-conscious eating, memories of my grandmother, and a desire to offer a gourmet experience that is effortlessly accessible. This fusion of taste, health, and convenience is what defines Merci Maman, offering a refreshing and hassle-free meal solution.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Leaving behind a high-powered corporate life in New York’s towering skyscrapers to create Merci Maman’s chilled soups in Los Angeles, I embarked on a path that a lot of people found bewildering. It was a leap that my family, friends, and former boss found hard to believe. I was on a path to become one of the youngest partners in my firm. And instead I decided to sell soup? My parents saw this choice as an eccentric one. To me, this was a personal journey of growth, filled with unexpected challenges and moments of introspection. This journey was more than crafting soups; it was an adventure that invigorated me, filling every inch of my being with a vivid sense of being alive, a dive into creativity, wellness, connection to myself and to others, and daring to redefine the meaning of success.

Standing in supermarket aisles during product demos, and putting on a show for 8 hours straight was never easy. Sometimes I felt invisible, reduced to merely a figure that a lot of shoppers passed by, dismissive, or occasionally asking for directions to the restroom. These moments, contrasting sharply with my past glamorous corporate life, clearly brought moments of self-doubt. Had I made a colossal mistake, leaving behind a successful and lucrative career to stand behind a folding table in a supermarket all day? Yet, it was these very experiences that strengthened my resolve. They reinforced my belief in Merci Maman, a belief that was about more than just soup – it was about bringing a piece of culinary art and nutrition to everyday life. It was about making our unique product a staple in American diets.

There were times when unexpected challenges, like a marathon blocking the street to the farmers market, or a sudden downpour that deterred Angelenos from venturing outside, would be challenging for our farmers markets sales. On tough days like these, I might have felt a bit sorry for myself for a little while, but I always made sure to bounce back quickly. When you own your business, you must often conscientiously bring back your focus to your vision, and get rid of any of the noise that can lead to fear.

I’m incredibly excited about the future of Merci Maman. We’ve just finished developing our second-generation offering, and received fantastic results from the scientific lab we’ve been working with. All will be revealed soon and is absolutely incredible. We have a new packaging that will knock your socks off, and we will be able to sell our product across the country.

Holding onto my dream has been rewarding. Each obstacle overcome has been a testament that resilience is important. I’m prepared to face any future unexpected challenges, knowing that overcoming them brings a sense of accomplishment and personal growth.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the most transformative lessons I had to unlearn was the conventional definition of success, deeply ingrained in me from my corporate background. In the corporate world, success was a ladder to be climbed, measured in promotions, salary increases, and public recognition. This viewpoint was flipped on its head when I started Merci Maman. Here, success took on a more nuanced and personal meaning. It became about the joy and satisfaction derived from creating something truly unique, about the impact of my work on customers’ lives, and the personal fulfillment that comes from pursuing a passion.

This journey of unlearning began when I first stepped into the world of entrepreneurship. I quickly realized that the corporate metrics of success didn’t apply here. The initial days were challenging, not just in terms of setting up a business but also mentally, as I grappled with this new understanding of success. There were moments of self-doubt, times when the business metrics didn’t align with my expectations, but these experiences taught me that success is also about resilience, creativity, and the ability to adapt.

Embracing this new definition of success meant celebrating the small victories, like a customer’s smile after tasting my soup, or the sense of accomplishment from overcoming a production challenge. It involved acknowledging that setbacks weren’t failures but opportunities for growth and learning.

This unlearning process was a humbling yet exhilarating experience. It opened my eyes to the true essence of entrepreneurship – it’s not just about financial gains or market dominance, but about making a difference, staying true to your vision, and enjoying the journey.

Unlearning the traditional corporate success narrative and embracing this new, more holistic approach was instrumental in the growth of Merci Maman and my personal development. It taught me the value of every step in the entrepreneurial journey, the importance of staying grounded, and finding joy in the simple yet profound moments of connection with customers and the community. This lesson, though challenging, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey with Merci Maman.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mercimaman.store
• Instagram: @mercimaman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PxKYniIE6Y
• Other: [email protected]