Edouard Grosmangin

It is Monday, April 19. In today’s episode of "Monday motivation – Felix asks” I take you to South America, to São Paulo specifically, the most populous city of the continent. The city’s Latin motto is “Non ducor, duco” which translates to “I am not led, I lead”. And I am happy to introduce you today to the passionate leader of the Rosewood São Paulo, Managing Director Edouard Grosmangin. 

Edouard has an impressive background, he was born into a little Auberge in the French countryside with 20 rooms, and from there, he worked for some of the finest and most luxurious hotels and resorts around the world. On his resume, you will find the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, The Savoy in London, Hotel Metropole in Monaco, and Six Senses in Vietnam, to name a few. From 2017 to January 2020, Eduard was the General Manager of the Raffles Seychelles, located on Praslin Island, before joining the Rosewood São Paulo in February 2020. The hotel is planning to open its doors in 2021, with 180 rooms and suites to offer.

Designed by renowned architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel (Paris) who elaborated about the landmark on his website by saying, "The most important feature of the site we will be building on here is that it borders Matarazzo Park, so it’s perfectly positioned to become an extension of the park. The tower will present as a series of leafy green planes, terraces planted with the same species of trees as those in the park. The architecture and the materials the residential structures will be made of belong to the Brazilian countryside, to Brazil, to the land of the redwood tree". For more insight please refer to http://www.jeannouvel.com/en/projets/

Jean Nouvel was also in charge of two museums that blew me away during my latest travels - The Louvre in Abu Dhabi and the stunning National Museum of Qatar. Both museums are an absolute must-see whenever you get the chance! In charge of the interior design is no other than the world-famous French industrial Architect Philippe Starck. I love the work he has done at the Le Royal Monceau and Le Meurice, both in Paris. If you are interested in interior design, you should see the 3-minute interview that Starck gave on his work at the Le Meurice together with Alain Ducasse. https://www.starck.com/le-meurice-paris-p2426.

During my interview with Edouard, we discussed the start of his career and his definition of hospitality that can also be found in the logo of a famous luxury hotel in London. He shared the most beautiful anecdote, his favorite book, in addition to some resonating and inspiring advice. 

Writing this article shows me again how beautiful our industry truly is, week after week. I hope you will enjoy the read, and please share your questions or thoughts below in the comments, via Email, on LinkedIn, or any other channel.

#sharepositivestories

Question 1: Where did you start your career?

Edouard Grosmangin (EG): “Most probably at home… as I was born in a French countryside Auberge with 20 rooms with my Dad as chef and grandmother and mum looking after the guests…. It is only later than I joined the Hotel de Crillon in Paris right after school".

Question 2: What does hospitality mean to you?

EG: “Placere Placet: The Pleasure to Please”

Question 3: Can you please share an anecdote you experienced that shows the variety and beauty of our industry?

EG: “Far too many to share about guests and colleagues. But my preferred one: I met my wife in the lobby of the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, 20 years ago, presented by my former General Manager.”

Question 4: Have you had a mentor in your career? Who was it, and did she/he gave you a piece of advice you still follow? 

EG: “Not only one. I have always worked for an individual before working for a brand, whether owners, CEOs, or General Managers. The best piece of advice I received once: common sense does not exist!”

“The best piece of advice I received once: common sense does not exist!”

Question 5: What would you like to say to a hospitality/ tourism student/professional who recently started his/her career, at this right moment?

EG: “You are joining the most incredible industry of service endlessly revisiting customer’s needs & dreams. Don’t be a follower, anticipate, believe, and try things. Traditions are made from successful innovations. I love people in general and believe that attitude is a little thing that makes big difference: keep smiling as much as you can.”

“Don’t be a follower, anticipate, believe, and try things. Traditions are made from successful innovations.”

Question 6: Do you have a book recommendation - this could be everything from a novel to an autobiography, etc. 

EG: “Balzac remains my favorite writer, however, today’s difficulties could be wiped by more fantasy and after many years on remote islands, no doubt to recommend: “Beach Babylon” by Imogen Edwards-Jones. You can read it as many times as you want… the story never ends for a hotelier.”

Bonus: "Is there something you learned or started in 2020 which you continue in 2021? 

EG: “I will never stop Learning and Laughing…even if I probably laugh a bit less in 2020…”

Dear Edouard, thank you for taking the time, and I wish you a fantastic opening. Good luck and I hope to meet soon, somewhere around the globe.

Happy Monday & do not forget to #sharepositivestories.

Felix