Tag: entrepreneur

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Women’s Wellness and Baby Sleep Coach

The series on the International Professional Women in Monaco group wraps up with cofounder Louise Morelli.

You grew up in Billinge, Lancashire, and are the youngest of three. What did you imagine yourself doing “when I grow up?”
My family gave me the best of both worlds: strong roots and the wings to go exploring.

I grew up with my mum, dad, older brother and sister with other family nearby in the north of England – a place famous for its tight communities and friendly people. Until I was 13, we lived on a street packed with other families. There were kids of every age and we were always off on some adventure. Neighbours’ doors were always open. Long summers meant running around the street, darting in and out of each other’s houses, having giggly water fights, pretending our bikes were horses, playing in the snow and on Guy Fawkes night, knocking on every door shouting “Penny for the Guy!” – and hoping someone would press a coin or a sweet into our hands.

I had some amazing role models growing up, especially the women in my family. My mum and my grandma on my mum’s side – two strong, brave women with hearts the size of houses. They showed me just how capable women really are and I try to pass that on to my daughter. And then there’s my older sister. She has Down Syndrome, which has come with its own challenges. But honestly? She shows me what it means to be perfect in a different way – pure heart, no judgment, just love and joy in the simple things. She humbles me.

My parents taught me to work hard, be self-sufficient and chase my own path. The trouble was, for a long time I had no clue what that path was.

I used to dream of being a doctor. I had the brains for it, but when I was 13 my dad died out of the blue. It completely rocked my world – and my confidence. I still went to University, just not for science. English literature won me over and I graduated with honours. But here’s the thing: every spare moment in the library, I was reading medical journals as well as classics. I’ve always been fascinated by the human body and mind.

Looking back now, I can see that a holistic, alternative route would have suited me way better. So, in a weird way, if I’d become a traditional doctor I’d have ended up in the wrong place after all.

How and when did you end up in Monaco?
I arrived in Monaco about 20 years ago with my partner. We got married here and our daughter was born here in 2014.

When I first arrived, I didn’t think I’d ever fit in.

But then I improved my French and that changed everything. I began to find my feet in local life. Slowly I made new friends and, when our daughter was born, suddenly there were all these other mums and friendships just grew from there.

These days, I’ve also found my people through church, through my daughter’s school and through work. Lovely connections, every one of them.

So here I am now – really settled, really happy living here and this corner of the world now feels like home.

Community is clearly high on your priority list. You are a member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, you are a Council Member and helped out with their Mother and Baby Group.
Monaco is a place where many people come for a short while, then off they go to another part of the globe. This means it’s pretty easy to feel lost, without roots and a long, long way from home.

When I was a new mum, the Mother and Baby Group at St. Paul’s was an absolute lifeline. I adored those Monday and Thursday mornings, they meant everything! That’s exactly why I went back to volunteer there for a while, because when someone helps you, you pay it back or you pay it forwards. It’s as simple as that.

St. Paul’s church has been a thread running right through my life here. It really is the most welcoming community which is why I’m on the Church Council.

I really do believe that people are stronger when they come together. That’s why, more and more in my work, I’m trying to build a community of like-minded people. I love making links with other practitioners, too. I don’t believe in pure competition and hoarding clients. Everyone brings their own unique energy to what they do and that’s something worth sharing and celebrating.

What led you get qualified as a Child Sleep Coach and launch your own business, Gently to Sleep?
As a new parent, you expect to be tired, everyone tells you that, but the crippling fatigue I went through in those early months was genuinely a shock to the system.

By the time my daughter finally slept through the night she was 15 months old and I was utterly exhausted.

So once I finally got her sleeping through, I made a decision. I didn’t want other parents to have to go through that level of tiredness. Not if I could help it. I retrained and in 2017 I launched my business – Gently to Sleep – right here in Monaco.

I’m passionate that parents should actually enjoy their days with their babies and not just survive them because they’re running on empty. Rested, happy babies create rested, happy parents and that’s a win for the whole family.

I offer flexible one-to-one help. That could be a one-hour sleep solution call with me or working together for two weeks. Local families can book a home visit if they need one, but I also work with many families remotely – across Monaco and worldwide – via Zoom and email.

My aim is simple: to offer parents sleep solutions for their children that actually work, that feel right for them and that fit with their own parenting style.

Right now, I’m also working on a group programme. This is something more affordable, where parents can feel part of a community while sorting out sleep together.

Also on my drawing board is a certification programme so others can become sleep coaches too, because this is important work and I’m passionate that coaches should be properly trained as we work with the most precious things with babies and we need to get it right. Mothers especially need this valuable part of the “village”. It’s that theme of community again – coming full circle.

How the heck do you go from babies and sleeping to your new business Tibetan yoga?
Ha, ha, yes – it does seem a bit of a leap, doesn’t it?

I discovered Tibetan Yoga in 2017. The movements are dynamic, functional and anyone can do them. I started with Lu Jong (healing yoga) and it quickly became a daily habit. Then I found Tog Chöd (the Wisdom Sword) which are beautiful movements done with a wooden sword that help you cut through negative thoughts and emotions. It’s powerful, confidence-building and a great workout. A real meditation in movement.

Within my sleep coaching, I noticed that children’s sleep issues weren’t just practical. The mum’s emotional health played a huge role. So many new mums felt lost and full of self-doubt. I thought my own transformation could help them.

So, I trained to teach Lu Jong, Tog Chöd and meditation. I’ve since become an Educator (teacher trainer) too.

Around the same time, I discovered Méthode Dô – a therapy that takes the form of a massage but is actually an exploration of who you are. It works on the body’s energy meridians and where there’s pain or resistance there’s an emotional story. The body doesn’t lie and it can be a very powerful experience.

I received regular sessions and this process uncovered my own blocks and helped me change. Combined with Tibetan yoga, it truly transformed me. Change is an inevitable part of life, but it can be difficult. Yes, there were moments where I doubted myself, but I kept going. Why? Because I realised that I had the power to resolve problems in my life. It was my responsibility.

To be the best you can be, you need to break free from fear and self-judgment and it’s a self-made cage. That’s where I am now – the real me with my voice and confidence.

I trained with the method’s creator, Dominique Caubel, and became a practitioner. The training was intense – you have to face your own limitations first, but it was worth it. My massage work (prenatal, wellness, structural, emotional) has gone to another level entirely.

Now I offer classes in Tibetan yoga and meditation for adults, children, and parent-child groups – alongside my massage therapy for women.

My decision to retrain and start my own business came from not just wanting to help others, but also wanting to be available for my daughter and to be fully present while she’s growing up. That meant all my studying had to happen when she was asleep or at school and even now I ensure I am fully present when she is home.

When I did my sleep coaching training, I grabbed hours during her daytime naps and then when she went to bed, I carried on … late into the night. I was very tired. Yes, I know. A trainee sleep coach who didn’t sleep enough. The irony is not lost on me!

Tell us about your “cocooning” events?
A cocoon is a place of transformation and I wanted to use this concept to help others start transforming themselves – just like I did.

It’s really hard to make changes when you’re surrounded by the noise of daily life with the pings, the To-Do lists and the endless demands. So having a chance to step away from all that – to a calm, peaceful place for a few days – is honestly a gift.

That’s what my Cocoon events are all about. They give you the mental and physical space to properly take stock of your life. Groups are kept intentionally small because real personal attention matters. These include one-to-one Méthode Dô sessions, daily Tibetan yoga, breathwork and meditation – all designed to act as a catalyst for change and done in beautiful locations.

But here’s the best bit: guests don’t just get those precious few days of immersion and the start of personal change, they also leave with practical tools they can actually use in their everyday lives afterwards.

You had an unfortunate incident with Facebook that impacted your business. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to others starting out and using social media to promote their business?
A couple of years ago, my personal Facebook account was hacked and then banned.

Facebook itself was completely unhelpful. I’d had that account for over a decade, lost it through no fault of my own and had no way of getting it back.

And the kicker? My personal page was linked to both my business pages, so I lost access to those too. Also linked was my free sleep help group for parents, a community I’d built and nurtured and it was beautiful to watch parents helping each other in there.

I lost access to that too and to make it worse, an unknown person has been added as an administrator without my permission. Those pages and that group are still live (although now inactive) and I have zero control over them.

I had to rebuild my entire online presence on Facebook from scratch with thousands of followers, client links and history all gone.

After my initial despair, I stayed surprisingly calm about the whole thing and I really think that’s down to Tibetan yoga and Méthode Dô. They’ve genuinely changed how I regulate my emotions.

Instead of panicking and spiralling, I saw this as a sign that it was time to change my focus and work in a different way.

I created new business accounts, and this time I’ve been far more strategic about attracting the right followers. I’ve also finally appreciated the value of my email list because that’s something you actually own and have control over. Social media accounts can disappear in a flash. Your contact list is personal to you.

I learned this the hard way!

My advice is don’t rely on social media alone. Use different channels. Face-to-face networking and marketing is huge. Regular emails are a focused way to connect with your followers and clients. Keep your website updated, make sure your SEO is optimised and look into podcasts, YouTube – whatever works for you.

Oh, and of course change your passwords regularly. Use the maximum security offered and keep those passwords safe, whether it’s for social media or anything else online.

Tips for women in Monaco starting their own companies. What to do, what not to do?
I would advise any woman thinking of starting her own business to just do it! Imperfect action is better than no action.

Yes, it can feel overwhelming. But honestly, I found it relatively simple to set everything up in Monaco. The business Welcome Office was very helpful and because of the nature of my work, I needed approval from DASS (Département des Affaires Sociales et de la Santé). They, too, were welcoming, helpful and gave me the all-important permission I needed to work here. I’m truly grateful for the help I received from the authorities in Monaco.

Finding your tribe is really important. Do seek help from other women. In my own yearning for community, two years ago I co-founded the International Professional Women in Monaco Community with Gabrielle Crump (and Joanne Deen later joined the admin team). It’s a free group – over 200 active members – and is a non-judgmental space for support and really valuable information. We meet monthly in Monaco and chat daily in our WhatsApp group.

There were people who said I was doing too much, that I should stay safe with what I was already doing. Some even tried to dissuade me from advancing professionally. I did it anyway, and so can you.

Be confident of who you are and what you can do. If you find that difficult? Come and see me for some Méthode Dô sessions. Spend some time doing Tog Chöd with me and let the Wisdom Sword cut through those negative thoughts.

Then you’ll discover your true power, your full potential and you’ll have the confidence to say:

“I CAN – and I WILL – do it!”

Article first published May 31, 2026.

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Alicia Sedgwick Communication Coach

The series featuring members of the International Professional Women in Monaco group moves on to Communication Coach Alicia Sedgwick.

What inspired your business – and what gap did you see that others weren’t addressing?
My Communication Coaching business began in 2014. I was inspired by the need for people to communicate, to speak in public and to present with confidence, and effectively.

The International University of Monaco (IUM) asked me to teach a class of Undergraduate students and the training was so successful that I went on to teach many Undergrad, Masters and MBA students – plus staff and Faculty at IUM, and eventually other educational institutions all over the world.

The training and teaching developed for the International School of Monaco, too, where I created and managed their TEDxYouth Event and trained speakers for that event, plus for corporations, associations and individuals.

The importance of being able to communicate with impact and belief in oneself was very clear to me seeing people flounder in meetings, presentations, and social situations. This particularly became evident when Covid hit and we were all forced to go online in our communication. People had no idea how to speak on Zoom and other platforms and to do so on camera.

I soon became the expert to teach and help people communicate effectively both in person and online.

How do you market your company and what has genuinely worked to reach new clients?
I have never actually marketed my business. Clients have come to me through word of mouth. This is a delight for me!

I maintain a presence on social media, which I work hard at. I have written two books Communicating through Change and BEING – both available on Amazon – and these keep my name out in the world.

I also do talks, and podcast interviews, Masterclasses, again in person and online, and that all helps to raise my profile and keep me in people’s thoughts for when they need my help and coaching.

What was the turning point in your business?
Business really escalated for me during Covid when the need for training in communication skills online particularly became essential. People had no clue of how to conduct themselves and present on camera, and I was the expert they turned to, providing the techniques, the confidence, and the effectiveness.

This continues now, and my in-person training has grown and grown, too.

What is one unglamorous but essential step every woman should take before launching a business here?

I would say that no matter where you launch your business, find out the rules and regulations for having a company or business in that jurisdiction. For example, in Monaco, secure your legal residency first. That is essential, as is opening and funding your bank account.

In France, choose and structure the correct legal status (URSSAF, tax number, VAT if applicable…).

I was a lawyer in the UK before I moved to France full time, and I am very aware of compliance and how necessary that is before you even consider branding and networking.

What advice would you give to women ready to bet on themselves and start their own business here?
Monaco and France are incredible ecosystems, but they are structured. In France, learn the administrative landscape and choose the right status from day one. In Monaco, understand that relationships, credibility, and positioning matter just as much as your offer. This isn’t about being intimidated – it’s about being prepared.

When you know the rules, you move with confidence.

Build substance before image.

It’s tempting to focus on branding, Instagram, the aesthetic. Yes, visibility matters – especially in Monaco. But cash flow matters more. Client results matter more. Reputation matters more. Quietly become excellent. The image will amplify what’s already solid.

Choose proximity wisely. Environment is everything. Get in rooms where decisions are made. Attend events. Have conversations. In Monaco especially, proximity opens doors faster than cold emails ever will. Build real relationships – not transactional ones.

You don’t need overnight success. You need momentum. Consistency. Emotional discipline. Entrepreneurship will stretch you – financially, mentally, personally. That stretching is not a sign to quit. It’s proof you’re expanding.

Finally, price like a woman who respects herself. Many women underprice because they want to be liked. You are not building a hobby. You are building an asset. Whether your clients are in Monaco’s luxury market or France’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, position yourself according to value – not fear.

Betting on yourself isn’t reckless. Staying small when you know you’re meant for more is.

And you will need to communicate with confidence, impact and effectively, and so come to me for training!

Article first published May 29, 2026. Photo: Lily Frebourg.

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Susanne Bohush Sophrologist

Next in the  International Professional Women of Monaco group series, meet sophrologist Susanne Bohush.

What inspired your business – and what gap did you see that others weren’t addressing?
My own journey through stress management, preparation for surgery and nervous system regulation. I set up my company in 2026 and practise in English and French. Also, as a trained Bach Flower Practitioner I have extensive knowledge of emotional imbalances.

Sophrology is a dynamic relaxation practice incorporating breathing exercises, meditation, visualisation, and body awareness. It can help with stress management, decrease anxiety, improve sleep, balance energy, increase confidence, concentration and focus.

I offer group sessions or 1-on-1 consultations for personal and corporate clients, as well as workshops during wellness days and events.

How do you market your company and what has genuinely worked to reach new clients?
Word of mouth is very important and meeting and talking to people. They appreciate my authenticity and can see how passionate I am about the benefits of regular practice.

Often I am asked how sophrology is different from meditation, hypnosis or yoga, or what happens during a session. First, it is a mix of western science and eastern modalities created by Pr Alfonso Caycedo in the 1960s and incorporates all of the above. A typical session lasts about an hour and is thoughtfully tailored to a client’s individual needs, combining guided practice with insights from our discussion together.

What was the turning point in your business?
Truthfully, the universe showing me very clearly that this is what I need to be doing to help others. I was ignoring it.

Like many of us, I had been moving through life at full speed, constantly working while putting my own wellbeing second. Although sophrology was already important to me, I kept postponing the idea of making it central to my life. After an accident, everything paused. Recovery taught me patience, presence, and the importance of reconnecting with myself. That experience deepened my belief in sophrology and ultimately led me to support others in a more meaningful way by obtaining my certification from the École de Sophrologie d’Antibes.

What is one unglamorous but essential step every woman should take before launching a business here?
Get a coach or someone who can help you through the red tape and set-up, legal, and financial issues. They will help make sure you have covered everything and will encourage you. It is good to have someone to be accountable to.

What advice would you give to women ready to bet on themselves and start their own business?
Believe in yourself and your gifts and talents. Try and work out what you are here to contribute before life shows you. That way you can get on with it sooner.

Article first published May 23, 2026.

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Intouch

Axel Sategna is a Monegasque entrepreneur launching Monaco’s first social network. It’s called Intouch, it’s free, and it’s going live November 18.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Axel Sategna talks about Intouch app.

Available soon from the App Store and Google Play, Axel says Intouch offers a simple solution to a universal problem: knowing what to do, where, when, and with whom – in just a few clicks.

The idea came to him during a business trip to Montreal where he spent a week interviewing for jobs in finance. He realised how difficult it was to find the right places to go out, where to go for a walk, or just to connect with others in person over coffee.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Axel Sategna on how Intouch works.

“None of the existing social platforms – Meetup, Eventbrite, Instagram, LinkedIn, or others – truly filled that gap”, explains the 30-year-old. “Intouch’s mission is to fight boredom, reduce isolation, and bring people closer together through a living map of activities spanning sports, entertainment, culture, and volunteering.”

The bilingual go-getter became driven by an ambition to truly transform the way we connect but, like many startups, faced financial hurdles. Outside of his full-time job at UBS Monaco, he spends his waking hours developing the first social network developed and launched from Monaco with support from Monaco Boost.

After graduating from the International University of Monaco with a Master’s degree in Finance with a Hedge Fund & Private Equity option, Axel built a foundation in private banking, asset management, audit, and the Constitutional Reserve Fund of Monaco – with experience in both Monaco and Luxembourg.

He hopes the Intouch app will expand to other territories after finding success in Monaco.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW: Axel Sategna talks about special filters and chat group on Intouch.

Article first published October 19, 2025. All videos and photos of Axel Sategna copyright Good News Monaco.

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Serena Benedetti Roy

Serena Benedetti Roy grew up in Monaco but created her first company, Kosmob, in China back in 2006. Only 22 at the time, she would spend the next four years developing and manufacturing her moped brand to sell in France.

“I did a student exchange in China when I was 13 and, even though I was young, I could tell the country had an exciting potential for development and it became my dream to work there,” recalls Serena. With a degree in industrial management at the French business school, Grenoble Ecole de Management, the entrepreneur had always been interested in both the technical and operational side of business. “Still today, my favourite professional activity is visiting factories to see how machines work.”

By 2011, the electric vehicle market in France was slowing and the French-Italian and Serena decided to enter the corporate world. She returned to Monaco and worked for ten years at Single Buoy Moorings (SBM) Offshore in Quality Assurance and Project Supply Chain.

It was four years ago at SBM Offshore that the idea for her latest startup, Akimba, came to light out of “personal necessity”. As she puts it, “I realised that I had a lot of nice clothes in my closet but I was reluctant to wear them at the office for two reasons – the embarrassment of perspiration stains and the dry-cleaning costs to get them out.”

Serena searched online for a solution to protect her clothes from sweat stains. “I found no-sweat T-shirts, mostly for men. So, I decided to do something about it.” She came up with The Fresh Bra™, a patent-pending bralette.

At the end of 2020, and expecting her first child, Serena opted for voluntary redundancy during SBM Offshore’s last round of downsizing. “I had a deep feeling this side project could turn into a real business. This product I was creating could improve the quality of life for many women, making them feel more confident in their clothes and allowing them to wear colours they would never dare to before. So, I took a leap of faith.” Akimba was founded in November 2021.

The soon to be 39-year-old (her birthday is August 28th) explains Akimba is inspired from the word akimbo, a standing position with your hands on your hips and your elbows pointing outward to create strength and courage. (Serena demonstrates in above photo.) “Posing like this makes you feel that anything is possible. And that’s the feeling I want to give to women who wear my products.”

But what exactly is “empowering lingerie”? Serena clarifies, “The Fresh Bra™ has been designed for maximum discretion, comfort and femininity. It is the first undergarment of its kind that not only supports the breast but also conceals sweat to keep your outfits looking perfect. All materials are plant-based and include anti-bacterial and fast-drying properties.”

Serena’s research unveiled a global market for active women with sweat issues – this includes everything from undergarments to professional treatments like botox and surgery – estimated at €3.5 billion. “I’m already working on different versions of The Fresh Bra™ and also some shorties to prevent thigh chafing.”

The serialpreneur launched The Fresh Bra™ last month on July 4th and hopes it will become a wardrobe game changer for 20,000 women in France and Europe within three years. “My 10-year vision is to be the first brand that pops into mind when you think of undergarments that are premium products and for empowering women – helping them feel more comfortable in their clothes and more confident in all aspects of their lives.”

Serena is counting on MonacoTech’s startup program to help Akimba reach these goals. “Entrepreneurship is quite lonely. I wanted to be surrounded by other entrepreneurs and decided to apply. MonacoTech has helped me to better structure my vision and the actions to achieve it. They have provided me with a sounding board for major decisions and given me good visibility in the local press.”

Akimba has no hires as of yet as Serena has been working with a freelance fashion designer, a pattern maker and a R&D company to develop the product. The polyglot (she speaks English, French, Italian and Chinese) reveals she took pattern making classes to have better control over product development. “My biggest learning curve has been to understand the ins and outs of the undergarment industry and the technical side of producing a piece of clothing.”

At the moment, the innovative bra is available online only but Serena is looking for retailers in Monaco and France to start selling Akimba products in the fall. She admits, though, that the supply chain is a major risk. “Recently prices of eco-friendly fabrics have surged. There are also not many manufacturers who can deliver high-quality standards for premium products like The Fresh Bra™.”

The Monaco Economic Board member believes that success is not only measured by your business’ bottom line but also by your happiness level. Her ultimate role model is Spanx founder Sara Blakely. “She’s not only a very smart entrepreneur but also a mom of four who has a lot of humour and empowers women in most of her activities.” Locally, Serena follows Marcela Kern @onboardwithmarcela. “I enjoy her energy, and her mix of professional and fun content. Plus, I get to learn a few things about the yachting industry.”

Tech-savvy Serena is also a big podcast enthusiast. So much so that in 2020, she started her own podcasts – Super Women of Monaco – to showcase the remarkable women in the Principality. “I also host the Akimba podcast to share the entrepreneurial journey of women who create brands and companies with the aim of helping other women.”

Article first published August 7, 2023.

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Carlo App

It’s been nearly six years since Antoine Bahri launched Carlo, Monaco’s first mobile app that rewards consumers for buying goods and services locally. The Monaco resident wanted to create “a smart currency for Monaco” through an incentive program that offered a 5% cashback from purchases at one of the Carlo-affiliated shops in Monaco.

The engineer-turned-entrepreneur has always been motivated to build bridges for small and traditional businesses to digitally integrate and grow. Before Carlo, Antoine co-founded a payment application for the restaurant sector in Barcelona. “Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. It requires resilience and unwavering belief in the value you’re creating.”

Launched in July 2019, Carlo now works with 680 businesses, about 80% of all merchants in Monaco, according to Antoine, and can be downloaded from the App store. “We’ve also built a thriving community of approximately 80,000 users, including residents and those who interact regularly with Monaco. Over time, Carlo has evolved into a full-fledged payment solution for the principality, distinguished by its innovative closed-loop cashback program.”

Antoine admits one of the most meaningful moments of his career came when he onboarded merchants in Monaco he used to visit as a child. “Seeing those businesses join Carlo made me feel we were truly making an impact. Another unforgettable moment was the first time overhearing someone at a nearby table at the restaurant ask to pay with Carlo. Hearing them talk about it made me realise that the app had become part of daily life for many people.”

Antoine Bahri (front row, right) launched the Carlo App in July 2019. The company has grown to 16 people, including the development team as well as the teams in Bordeaux and Aix-en-Provence.

Antoine says the growth of the free Carlo App has been fuelled in large part by a strong partnership with the government of Monaco, which began after the Covid pandemic to support local merchants. “This collaboration has continued because Carlo has proven to be an effective tool for the government to boost local commerce and generate TVA.”

The government has argued recently that it is impossible to quantify how much TVA is generated by Carlo purchases that would not have occurred otherwise. “While it’s challenging to calculate the exact amount of TVA Carlo generates, we have several strong indicators,” Antoine highlights. “For instance, a survey we conducted with over 4,000 responses revealed that 50% of users’ shopping and 35% of their dining through Carlo would have taken place elsewhere – online or outside Monaco – if Carlo didn’t exist. Using these insights, we can estimate the new TVA Carlo has helped generate in Monaco, and the results indicate that the more likely scenario is a net positive outcome for the government.”

He also emphasises that the government’s support is directed at merchants, not Carlo. “We are the service provider delivering a payment and loyalty solution under the terms of a contract designed to benefit the local economy.”

The government of Monaco is currently debating whether to change the way in which the 8.6% Carlo platform fee is shared. At present, 1% is paid by the affiliated retailer while the State covers 7.6%, for a reported total of €10 million a year. It envisions that in 2025, the cost to retailers could rise to 3.6% with a possible cap on monthly spending.

Antoine remains confident in the government’s commitment to this partnership. “The collaboration has been a clear success, uniting merchants and consumers on one platform and fostering a vibrant local economy. That said, this is a new government, and it’s natural to review ongoing projects and explore ways to optimize them. On our side, we’re fully committed to working hand-in-hand with the government to find solutions that enhance the project while keeping the mission’s core values intact for the benefit of local merchants.”

For Antoine, the biggest challenge has been navigating the company through different phases of growth and external changes. “Challenges are also what drive us forward. They push us to learn, adapt, and create new features and solutions that keep Carlo innovative and relevant.”

Recently, Carlo introduced a new payment opportunity in Monaco for users to make donations directly to associations. “With thousands of users already accustomed to using the app for payments, this was a natural extension of our platform’s functionality,” Antoine states.

“Associations have been requesting an easy and digital payment solution for some time, and we’re thrilled to now provide one. Users can select their preferred association from a list of participating organisations and donate seamlessly without using or earning cashback, which remains exclusively dedicated to supporting local commerce.”

This initiative is already off to a great start. “We’re proud to have partnered with the Princess Charlene Foundation and the Rotary Club of Monaco for this launch, and we look forward to helping more associations streamline their fundraising efforts.”

Antoine also took the model beyond Monaco in 2023. “We successfully launched Carlo in Aix-en-Provence, where we now partner with more than 200 merchants. Most recently, in October 2024, we expanded to Bordeaux, where we’ve already onboarded 50 merchants. We’re excited to replicate and adapt this Monaco-born innovation in new markets.”

Now a team of 16 people, the company is also launching a white-label version of its payment solution, opening up opportunities for other industries like hotel groups, ski resorts, or any organization with a closed-loop network. “This is an exciting step as it allows us to extend the impact of Carlo’s technology to new sectors and geographies.”

In parallel to developing Carlo, Antoine has co-founded Maliz.ai, an AI solution focused on data sovereignty that allows companies to deploy AI tools on their own servers, giving them full control and protection over their data. “With Maliz.ai, organisations can create chatbots or other AI-powered solutions hosted within their own environment, ensuring security and transparency,” Antoine explains.

“We’re particularly focused on serving Monaco, where there’s a clear need for independent AI solutions that align with the principality’s emphasis on privacy and trust. Our mission is to empower companies in Monaco with cutting-edge, locally hosted AI tools that combine innovation with data security.”

Article first published on February 16, 2025. Feature photo by Nancy Heslin. Article photos courtesy of Carlo App.

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Jess Rad

Jess Rad wanted to be a music teacher. Instead, the 2024 National Diversity Award nominee founded The WomenHood to tackle the unspoken challenges of womanhood, menopause and gender equity.

“The world needs more women in all the positions that decisions are being made. It isn’t just about getting women into leadership but we need to be powerful in our lives and all those places in order to have a trickle-down effect and change the world for the next gen,” says Jess, who is half Persian and grew up in Suffolk in the east of England.

WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: The WomenHood founder Jess Rad talks about the unspoken challenges of womanhood and menopause, and her 2024 National Diversity Award nomination.

The older sister to five siblings says she has always been an advocate of equality even though she had limited beliefs about building her own business. “My dissertation was on the ‘Deconstruction of the Working Woman’ because it perplexed me. I wanted to know how I could be a full-time mother, much like my mom, and the ambitious entrepreneurial person that I was, like my dad. I interviewed 20 senior leadership women at Disney where I worked and, fundamentally, the more they made, the more they outsourced.”

The 42-year-old says that, like most women, she is juggling a lot. “It’s extremely easy to continue to put the needs of everyone else above our own and most of us are pretty expert at that.”

When UK-based Jess became a mom in 2013, she had only been living in Brighton for a year and was keen to be part of her local community. On “one cold December evening” she brought together nine women, all strangers, at the local pub. The next time they were 15. Fast forward a few years and this group was nearly 250. “My conversations with dozens of women were clearly showing me how often we were struggling with a similar challenge, yet due to society shrouding it in shame or secrecy; or perhaps due to the time-poor nature of our lives, we were failing to have the time and space to explore these challenges that were impacting our daily quality of life and often our long-term health.”

Photo: Hayley Samartin

After quitting her job, “and with the help of seven amazing women”, Jess set up The WomenHood in 2019. “I advocate for 1% change because I know how inaccessible change can feel to many women today. The first Unspoken Session was held in November, connecting women with amazing female experts to help them stop, listen, learn, share and reflect on their own lives. It was a huge success and since then every guest of every session has said they would recommend us to a friend.”

Through live virtual experiences called The Unspoken Sessions (like Unspoken Women Lives on Instagram), The WomenHood platform connects and supports women on everything from women’s health issues and financial wellbeing to perfectionism and people pleasing. It tackles the hidden realities of relationships, undiagnosed neurodiversities, the confidence gap, burn out and boundaries.

The social entrepreneur also launched The WomenHood at Work “to enable employers to unite their teams and collectively find new ways to support women, while increasing compassion, solidarity and empathy amongst all staff via unspoken conversations.”

But the subject she regularly returns to is the menopause “because it is the one unspoken challenge that every woman will encounter”. This led to the creation of The Menopause Collection. “I was diagnosed with premature menopause at 38 in 2020, so I know first-hand how destructive yet transformative this transition can be in a woman’s life,” emphasises Jess, who is a UK Delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

“It’s a crying shame that women are benchmarked against the male characteristics. Women are going through their lives without fully understanding their own neurobiology, their own physiology … and I think women are suffering needlessly.’

Jess points out the most common thread is a lack of education and awareness of perimenopause. “There are 34 symptoms, many of which are not known, and with the cognitive ones often beginning first – such as anxiety, insomnia, memory loss –– it’s very difficult to disentangle what feels like unsurprising experiences that many women feel while juggling work/life/children/relationships/and the many demands on them. So the most regular conversation I have with women is helping them understand how to identify it in themselves and find help from a GP or nutritional therapist.”

The Amaze Charity Ambassador adds, “I feel fortunate to have been a part of this menopause revolution from the beginning and to now be very connected to many founders and talented experts in this area. So much so that, in addition to the Menopause Collection on the website there is also Menopause at Work, for businesses to enable organisations to support their female staff.”

Jess Rad with The WomenHood advisor Lisa Ardley-Price. Photo: Hayley Samartin

Jess admits she is also fortunate to have “an extremely loving and supportive family who have been my rocks” especially over the past few tumultuous years, which included divorce and discovering neurodivergent traits last year. “My Mum, always at the end of the phone to listen and reassure. My sister Victoria immediately shining a light on the opportunity to become ‘the architect of my own life’. And my Dad who forced me to think five years ahead. Very difficult, when you can barely see past the day in front of you.”

She decided to start open water swimming. “I really don’t like the cold, I’m not a strong swimmer and generally wasn’t really an outdoorsy kind of person. However, I got in and absolutely loved it! Of course, I had chosen the right month to start, September is the warmest month of the year.”

She met some other women via the Salty Seabirds community and as autumn began “not only did the cold water undoubtedly and immediately increase my stress resilience and totally change my mood but the connections I’d made with the regulars in our little group became deep and important friendships, too.” They formed their own group, the Early Birds and they’d meet at 6:30 am to swim, regardless of the weather, waves or darkness.

“These early morning winter swims really did change my life. Having also never been a morning person, I found myself getting up at 6 am several times a week, at times having to de-ice the car or wear two coats due to the bitter cold, to go and meet these amazing women in the pitch black and strip down to a swimsuit and face the waves, and our fears, lit only by the moonlight.

“There was something quite magical under these circumstances. So early in the morning. No time or need for make up or to do your hair. No clothes to identify, define or separate us. Just a swimsuit and some gloves and boots. United by our courage and resilience to keep going in despite the height of the waves, despite our fears of the cold, or what may lay beneath. Time again, we showed ourselves and each other how capable we were. My mantra in my head each time was: ‘If I can do this, I can do anything. If I can do this, I can do anything.’ And with those women by my side, I did.” Jess and some of the Early Birds went on to become swimrunners and crossed the Finish Line at the 2022 ÖtillÖ Isles of Scilly Experience Swimrun.

Public speaker Jess has been nominated for the 2024 National Diversity Awards as a Positive Role Model for Gender, in association with ITV (you can vote here.) “I’ve learned you shouldn’t try to do it all. A founder has the idea but you can’t be great at everything so you have to find other people. Recruit for your weaknesses.”

Article first published May 4, 2024. Photos copyright Hayley Samartin.