My Inspiration

What is your inspiration?

I begin every podcast episode by asking this question: What was your inspiration?

I want to share mine: 

We all have a story to tell. And like all good stories, mine is about people: the dreams, desires, loves and passions that shaped where I started, who I have become, and where I am going. I am here combining my past with my present to create a future where I help others shape their story. I am here as a female entrepreneur to support the stories other entrepreneurs are cooking up. Specifically, I aspire to inspire entrepreneurs, especially female entrepreneurs, to flourish and grow, use their stories to help others experience the rich flavors of their lives.

I come from a long line of female entrepreneurs who used their own recipes to define their entrepreneurial journeys. Many of whom have cooked recipes that left a longstanding story in their communities. The seed of my existence was my grandmother, a female entrepreneur who brought her love of food and people into one place. Phyllis Hertz, a restaurateur in Seattle in the 80’s, owned and operated Liz’s Cafe, a triangular-shaped lunch joint that was way ahead of its time. Liz’s served homemade soups, salads and sandwiches to those wannabe techies just learning to walk the Seattle streets. She not only created the space for my parents to meet and create me, but she is a huge part of my story, a part of cultivating the love I have for food, for community and for connecting with people’s stories.

What I most deeply remember about food is my love for it, eating, how food brings people together, how food builds community, and how eating meals together never leaves a bad taste in my mouth!  The secret sauces of the kitchen from Liz’s Cafe remained in both my homes for years to come.

My childhood and the smell of homemade food coming out of the kitchen is the rich soup that has made me who I am today. Cardamom and garlic filled my dad’s house while fresh lasagne lined the pans at my mom’s. No matter if I was at my mom’s house or my dad’s, homemade meals were a part of my day; colorful vegetables, rich sauces, fragrant spices and flavorful dishes filled my nostrils, tummy and soul. I learned to cut with sharp knives as I was learning to talk, I knew the names of peculiar spices before I knew the names of common animals, and I tasted vegetables in my mouth more regularly than I tasted baby food. I can’t imagine my childhood without the smell of homemade food. Food to me is my original love language and where I feel the most comforted. Food puts me at ease and makes me want to put my feet up.

If there is anything I have learned from my work as a coach, our past does inform our present and our future. Yet, it still surprised me.

I believe we have the choice to use our past how we want; to pull out the old recipes and add some new spice. I like to do this through my curiosity, inquiring to spark ‘food for thought’. I look forward to asking you questions to learn about your story.

Bon Appetit!

Isabelle