Interview with Murielle Claudel: Passionate Global Wine Entrepreneur
Murielle Claudel is a French woman with global experiences in the wine industry. After spending many years working in prestigious roles around the world, she decided to start her own business – Murielle Claudel Wines. A third-party consulting firm is assisting French producers and importers in North America and China.
I met with Murielle at Les Grand Jours de Bourgogne, a trade professionals event organized by the BIVB. I was delighted to have had the opportunity to sit down with Murielle and learn more about her story.
Women like Murielle are inspiring to me. They have a clear passion for what they do and an entrepreneurial spirit that is contagious. Murielle Claudel is a trailblazer for women with a variety of skills. She is not only an expert in the wine business, but she is also a driven entrepreneur in a country where entrepreneurship is still uncommon. It’s on the rise, and Murielle Claudel is one of its brightest examples. Murielle told me that she believes in free will, choice, learning and exploring – all important values in business.
In this interview, Murielle discusses her passion for wine, her entrepreneurial journey, and her plans for the future. She wants to expand her portfolio to include other French appellations and cultivate partnerships with new American and Chinese clients.
Emily: Thanks for talking with me today, Murielle. Let’s start at the beginning. You were born in France. Tell me about your childhood?
Murielle: I was born in Villerupt (Meurthe et Moselle), near Metz, and had a wonderful, carefree childhood. My parents were established and well-respected in the community. Education was very important to them. We always had good food and wine on the table, and I was taught from a young age to appreciate both.
The first person though who introduced me to tasting of Grands Crus and specificities from various regions was my father, Bernard Mangin. He was passionate about his land and what it brought to the people living on it. Above all he was passionate about Burgundy! He allowed me to do my first harvest there when I was 14.
Every Sunday at home, I discovered new wine pairings with my mother Jeannine’s fantastic cuisine (she was from Italian descent). This was followed by long arguments between my parents, siblings, and guests on that day. I have beautiful memories of my childhood and how this culturally contributed to my interests in wine.
Emily: Your business drive is impressive. When did you first encounter or realize your entrepreneurial spirit?
Murielle: When I was 21, I went to Germany to get my first shot at exporting. There, I discovered that no matter what it took for me to achieve my objectives, I was committed. I studied the language and culture. The immersive experience in Germany helped me improve my abilities in international co-operation in the wine sector.
Emily: Why wine? How did you get interested in wine to the point where you thought this might become your career path?
Murielle: In the 2000s, I realized that wine was my passion. When I coupled my passion and drive to achieve new professional goals, I knew I could do great things. My professionalism and management knowledge, as well as the fact that I spoke four languages; all helped me quickly fit into the wine business and discover a job that met my expectations.
I bought a house in a wine region whose reputation was growing. There I met one of my best friends (he was one of the best wine producers in the Cru La Livinière and the former president of this Cru).
This was the start of a lovely friendship that blossomed into experiences with skilled producers, which led to the inception of my company in 2011.
Emily: You have a very inspiring story for a few reasons. First of all, you are French and culturally speaking your journey isn’t typical. If I may, France is the land of checked boxes and clearly defined roles. You are quite a trail blazer, Murielle.
Murielle: This is absolutely true, Emily! I started to wander off the traditional French path by leaving the family household at 18. (I had graduated from high school / my baccalauréat at 17). I was passionate about travel and about learning foreign languages. I was dreaming in English or German. I quickly stood for myself to keep my freedom and my independent mindset. This did not go without some sense of sacrifice but I must admit I had some guardian angels watching over me! Every mishap or disappointment had me rebound on something more positive. It is what my parents had taught me. You want to be on your own? Then figure it out for yourself!
I was competing against individuals who proudly displayed their MBA degrees in front of me. I only had a Master’s Degree in foreign languages applied to law and business management.
Unfortunately, I had to defend my successes as a woman in the presence of colleagues and within professional circles. I had to demonstrate, and you still have to, that one can be a successful entrepreneur by remaining attentive, knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses and being a piece of a great puzzle where everyone holds an important place. This meant learning how to reach my goals while remaining productive, open to new ideas without complaining (which is not typically French:)
Consulting requires good listener’s skills and this can only be achieved through the course of several years of practice.
Emily: How did you first arrive at the idea to begin your company? Did you see a need for your skills and experience? Traveling abroad? Mentors? Or was there a moment?
Murielle: I believe in goals and my desire to reach my goals fuels my work. This was not about ego, but about pushing myself to my limits. I find monotony excruciating. It’s exciting for me to take on new challenges every day. My character has been molded by my parents refusing to finance me when I was 18.
Did I have any mentors? Not really. However, I am a passionate person in everyday life, and when I come across intriguing individuals or when I am given chances to learn a lot, I allow myself to be guided.
Yes, in 2010 I made a life-changing decision to start my own firm. I had a lot of alternatives on the table, and I took a chance that paid off handsomely. It was now or never for me.
I went on a business trip with my daughter, Caroline, who was in California at the time (San Diego Chamber of Commerce). My desire for new experiences and knowledge has been passed down to her. I am so proud of what she herself has created in the last two years.
My path led me to Seattle which became a second home for me. And the story continued to unfold.
I want to say that none of this would have been possible without the invaluable support of my partner in life Gérard Marsol, who was there at the beginning. One cannot launch such a creative business project without enjoying unwavering support and a precious balance in their personal and family life.
Emily: Did you even encounter pushback or negative responses to your work?
Murielle: In the beginning I did. People called me reckless and advised me to play it safer and not to be so audacious. The main obstacle today remains the acceptance of a third party in a process. The added value from an advisor and how to value consulting.
Emily: What do you appreciate the most about your business?
The freedom of making my own decisions within my company. I have choice, but it comes with the responsibility to keep learning and exploring new possibilities as well as collaborations.
Emily: Do you have any new plans for your business?
Murielle: Expand my portfolio to include more varieties. I’d love to work with someone in the future. My American and Chinese clients should be reinforced and new ones should be formed, using this opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships.
Emily: What advice would you give other women seeking to start a business especially in wine?
Murielle: Be yourself, work hard, and be a good listener while learning from others.
Emily: I love that! Thank you for your time, Murielle. It has been a pleasure.
In closing, Murielle Claudel is a woman who knows what she wants. She’s passionate, entrepreneurial, and driven to succeed. Despite the difficulties she’s encountered, Murielle has fought on and become a great example of a successful wine business. I was thrilled to have been able to speak with her. Thank you, Murielle!
Do you have any questions for Murielle Claudel? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to check out her website, MurielleClaudelWines.com, for more information about her amazing work. Murielle Claudel is also an active member of the professional wine community on LinkedIn, share stories on her Instagram @mcwines and Facebook page.
*Note this interview was transcribed from French to American English by Emily Lester
