We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Isabelle Gougenheim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Isabelle below.

Isabelle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

When I first started my business, my friends supported me in the most incredible way. They helped me without expecting anything in return. Starting a business takes a village, especially in this industry when you’re just beginning and don’t even know where to start. I was incredibly lucky that my friends gave me their free time. The best part is that they were as excited about this business as I was. They gave me amazing advice, pointed me in the right direction, and stayed by my side for those crucial first two or three years. They never wanted to be paid. Looking back, I genuinely don’t think I could have done it without them. That kind of support, that belief in what I was building, it meant absolutely everything.

Isabelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a French-American artist, originally from the East of France, and I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. It’s just always been part of who I am. I started my career in the creative industry working for a renowned design furniture company, which taught me so much about craftsmanship and design. Nine years ago, I took the leap and opened my own creative studio.

I began by launching a collection of personal accessories, specifically scarves, inspired by my original artworks. The idea was to create wearable art, pieces that people could carry with them and make part of their daily lives. Today, that collection is worn all around the world, which still feels surreal to me.

What’s been so beautiful is hearing how people connect with these pieces. Most people wear my scarves when they travel, and they always share their travel stories with me. They tell me how my designs brightened their memories and became part of their adventures. Many choose to gift the scarves to people they love, creating these really meaningful moments. That’s what it’s all about for me.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the art itself. It’s the connections it creates. Meeting new friends through this work, sharing joy, and bringing as much color as we can everywhere we go. That’s what drives everything I do. Whether someone discovers my work through a scarf or any of the other pieces I create, I hope it adds a little more beauty and brightness to their world.

How did you build your audience on social media?

The most important thing I’ve learned is to be honest with your content, to be real, and to stay consistent. Social media isn’t really about selling. It’s about creating connections and sharing something that matters to you. People need to be able to relate to what you’re doing, to care about your journey, to feel inspired by it. And that only happens when you’re being genuine.

One thing that really helped me reach new people was when we decided to do a 30-day series sharing behind the scenes of my creative process. I showed myself creating artworks, designing the scarves, and all the little moments that go into making each piece. It gave people a window into my world, and I think that’s what resonated. They weren’t just seeing a finished product. They were seeing the work, the passion, the story behind it all.

My advice for anyone just starting out is to focus on that desire to share. Share what excites you, what inspires you, the real moments. Let people into your process. When you do that authentically, the right audience will find you and connect with what you’re creating. It takes time and consistency, but it’s so worth it.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I truly believe that everything happens in its own time, or as we say in French, “Chaque chose arrive en son temps”. In your twenties, that’s when you learn and get inspired. You’re absorbing everything around you. In your thirties, you start building a foundation, figuring out what really matters. And in your forties, you start to know yourself more. That’s when it makes sense to start a business, because you finally have the knowledge. You understand all that inspiration from your twenties, and you have the necessary foundation to actually put it into action. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be patient with yourself and trust the timing.

For me, the pivot came ten years ago when I was in Italy, and noticed all these women on the street wearing beautiful scarves. It struck me that this was something missing from the American market. There was a gap, a real opportunity to bring that elegance and artistry into everyday life here in the US. I started searching for the perfect Italian fabric, and that’s how this business journey really began. It wasn’t something I forced. It was about being open to inspiration, recognizing the moment, and having the confidence and experience to act on it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.isabellegougenheimdesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isabellegougenheim/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isabellegougenheimdesigns

Image Credits

The lOMI Company //@photographybylomi // thelomicompany.com
Yasmine Mia // @yasmine_mia