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

Marie-Claire, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I have been blessed and fortunate to have worked and collaborated with so many talented individuals and creatives throughout the years in the different industries I have worked in but by far, I have to say that the most meaningful project I have worked on which is an ongoing project that I have is the holistic and community events services I have created called Movements Retreat.

Movements Retreat is the brainchild of searching for a concept where I can combine my love for the performing arts, health and fitness and giving back to the community through collaborations with local businesses and entrepreneurs. Last year, destiny brought me to the magical island of Jamaica, specifically in the beautiful town of Negril where this whole project started. I knew that I wanted to build something that can bring a sustainable income within the social platform that I already have but also making sure that with the projects I do, locals of Negril will benefit from.

Marie-Claire, 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?

If there is one word to fully describe me, that would be a multimedia artist. I grew up in a creative, musical family where I started singing and dancing at a very young age and also trained growing up playing classical piano. Music was and is the heart of my being. However, the importance of having a good education was also instilled by my parents so while delving in the performing arts all through my life, I also finished my university degrees in History and Economics and I have a Master’s Degree in International Business.

Working in different industries such as fashion, the local government, financial services and now in Public Relations allowed me to acquire different skillsets and experiences which gave me the cadence to be a well-rounded individual business-wise while having a creative perspective as an artist.

2018 was when I started a fashion blog called The Parisian Panda which throughout the years has expanded not only with fashion but music, travel lifestyle and now with the Movements Retreat project. If asked what I am most proud of is really going back to what grounds me and that is just having the opportunity to do what I love and which I am passionate with. Most people may not fully comprehend the satisfaction of what I am trying to convey but the feeling of being able to accomplish something you believe in is a blessing that is truly priceless.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Indeed there is which is more so on a personal level. What is driving me these days is to find ways to evolve and heal personally through my creative endeavors. As an artist, I am inspired by all things and people in life- whether big or small.

Recently, the biggest inspiration who was also a mentor of mine passed away. While faced with the challenges of the painful loss has somewhat, in a cathartic way, is giving me the strength to continue to find purpose, even with the projects I commit myself with which I hope will give me the healing I would need.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Definitely it has always been a struggle to let non-creatives understand that most of my moves and projects are not income-geared and “for profit” per se. People have questioned and challenged me all my life, for the most part about making sure that there should be a ROI (return on investment) with my personal projects which is sometimes contradictory to someone who has a Master’s in Business like I do.

My core is made up of the belief that giving is more rewarding than the receiving aspect. I do, of course, understand the notion of calculated risks and smart business investments so that is sometimes where the challenge arises: finding a middle ground where both sides to some level are met and satisfied while staying true to myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theparisianpanda.com
• Instagram: @theparisianpanda @movementsretreat
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/theparisianpanda

Image Credits
Christoff Studniczka (www.stoffinja.com)