The International Professional Women of Monaco (IPWoM) group was created by Louise Morelli and Gabrielle Crump to bring together English-speaking professionals, working or retired, to swap information and share insights. Joanne Deen joined the admin side more recently. This week, the group cheered on their 100th member this week.
Next in the IPWoM series, meet Laetitia Noyon-Zwaans, founder Speakeasy by Laetitia. She brings to the table more than 20 years of experience in multilingual translation and interpretation, specialising in legal, institutional, and high-stakes international contexts.
She is also a founding member and former Secretary General of the Chambre Monégasque des Traducteurs & Interprètes (CTIM).
What inspired your business – and what gap did you see that others weren’t addressing?
Monaco is a place where precision and discretion are essential, yet I noticed a gap in strategic language services for high-stakes environments. Translation is often treated as a technical task, but in legal, institutional or international contexts, every word, nuance, and format carries weight.
I founded Speakeasy in 2019 to combine linguistic mastery with strategic insight, providing services that protect credibility, reputation, and clarity. The gap wasn’t just in language – it was in institutional-grade execution.
How do you market your company – and what has genuinely worked to reach new clients?
In Monaco, credibility and reputation are the most effective “marketing” tools. Delivering consistent excellence, being discreet, and understanding client contexts deeply has generated the strongest referrals.
Partnerships within professional networks and long-term institutional relationships have also been key. The business grows through trust and reliability, not visibility alone.
What was the turning point in your business?
The turning point came when I shifted from providing translations to becoming a strategic partner in legal and institutional processes. A defining moment was interpreting during the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice for French president Emmanuel Macron and Dina Boluarte, the first woman to become President of Peru.
The pressure was doubly intense as I was the only interpreter so had to work in both language directions but this experience confirmed the power of combining strategic insight and discretion. It elevated both the scope of Speakeasy’s services and the quality of client engagements. Moments like these show that in Monaco, excellence opens doors that visibility alone cannot.
What is one unglamorous but essential step every woman should take before launching a business here?
Understand the regulatory and administrative framework thoroughly. Monaco is structured and rigorous and therefore compliance, licensing, and formal requirements are foundational. Mastering these details early on creates freedom and confidence later, allowing you to focus on your career rather than bureaucracy.
What advice would you give to women ready to bet on themselves and start their own business here?
Develop mastery. Competence builds confidence, and in Monaco, excellence is recognized and amplified. Do not dilute your standard to appeal to everyone – define your niche, uphold your values, and let your work speak.
Monaco rewards women who combine skill with long-term vision and professionalism. The path may seem daunting, but every step you take with courage and consistency positions you to shape this dynamic community — and inspire others along the way.
Article first published May 9, 2026.
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