Caprice Bourret: Overcoming the Challenges and Succeeding at any Age

By Kicki Pallin

Caprice Bourret has appeared on over 350 magazine covers across the globe, and during a period of her life she was one of the most photographed women in the world. Her very prominent career as a model also brought her to acting, participating in and hosting around 200 movies and TV shows. Today Caprice is the Founder of By Caprice and she lives the life of a successful business woman, mother and wife. She has created her foundation from working hard, choosing the right team – and giving back to the world.

How would you describe your journey from a modelling career to becoming an entrepreneur, and building a business from scratch?

Initially it wasn’t smooth sailing… The stereotype of being a model and a woman haunted me, but you know, I just didn’t give up. I think that’s the key with anything, you gotta fight for it and in the initial stages of starting a business, you will fall, not once, not twice but multiple times. The trick is you gotta keep getting back up and you will eventually succeed.

You are a very strong and determined businesswoman, who not only has demonstrated powerful self-belief but also has invested your own money into your business. What is the secret behind your success?

Investing in a good team, and don’t be greedy. If you need to take a slight hit on your margins, do so to give your customer a better and a more competitive product. Be original. When you start a business make sure that sector is not over saturated in the market. Then, find a niche in the market and attack.

By Caprice has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2006. How closely involved are you with the design of your products?

I’m not involved that much at all. I remember with my lingerie company, I initially designed everything myself and my first collection, the fits and the designs, were a huge fail. So, I put my ego in my back pocket and let my professional designers take over.

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If you had the power to change one thing in the business market for women, what would you change?

I think it’s only fair that people deserve a wage according to their performance at work, and I do think that gender discrimination still exists. Merit should always be rewarded upon performance.

How do you achieve your work life balance of a career woman and mother?

There is no formula, it’s called no sleep. I wish I could give you my secrets, but I don’t have any… I just live on coffee.

You are a huge inspiration to so many and have become an influential speaker at many events.  Which business tips would you give to mumpreneurs?

• Cash flow is your bible, you need to know what’s coming in and out of your business for the next 8 months minimum. You have to know that you probably will not see a return for 3-5 years, so allocate accordingly.
• Whatever business you’re starting, you need to have an abundant amount of passion and love for what you do.
• When you start hiring a team, pick wisely. You need team players, you need people that are smart in that particular space, you need people that are easy to work with – and also look after your team.
• Brand integrity, because you’re in it for the long game. Your customer is a lot smarter these days. They want a good product for a competitive price. Give it to them, even if you have to take a hit on your margins, it will pay off in the long run.
• Social media. It’s free marketing and you connect to the world, but just remember there’s no such thing as luck. The harder you work, the luckier you get. There is no shortcut.

You are doing a lot of charity work as well, and are supporting Woman’s Trust and Brain Tumour Research, what do you hope to achieve with your philanthropic work?

I have worked hard and achieved success as a result. The important thing is to give back not only to the world of entrepreneurship but also people that need our help. If you have the ability to make a difference in this world, for goodness sakes do it!

What would you say is the most important thing if one wants to make a difference in the world?

Well do it. The biggest step is to not just talk about it, you need to go out and do it, everyone can make a difference. Even being kind to someone can make a difference. You don’t need to be rich and famous, everyone can do this.

In one way or another, every human being wants to leave a legacy, which legacy would you like to leave behind, by yourself or together with others?

If there’s one thing I want my kids to learn from me, it’s to look after other people and be kind. Money can’t buy this.

Photography: @rinaldosata