My name is Marie-Jeanne, and I’m 46 years old.
From the age of 11, I knew I was going to become a fashion designer. I created my very first fashion sketch and even made sure to write down the Prismacolor color codes I used at the time.
After three years of design school, I launched my own brand: Lune Noire.
I was young, creative, and determined. I personally reached out to stores and buyers to get my collection distributed in several cities across Canada. I also coordinated several fashion shows and professional photo shoots.
I loved what I did, but after seven years, I had to admit that I was broke. And the desire to start a family with my partner had begun to take over.
It was time to turn the page.
I went on to work for several great Canadian companies, including Simons and Myco Anna. I learned so much, probably even more than I had during my years in school.
This new chapter gave me financial stability and allowed me to start a family.
But after seven years, I needed to feel free again.
So I left my job and decided to start from scratch.
That same year, we drove across Canada all the way to Vancouver Island with our three children. A 55-day road trip that would stay with me for the rest of my life.
I call that summer my school of life and freedom.
Discovering our own country firsthand was worth more than 100 geography classes.
When we got back, I put together my portfolio to build my own client base and work as a freelance fashion designer and pattern maker.
I worked on projects made here in Quebec, as well as in Asia. My work was incredibly varied, from high-end silk dresses to bold streetwear.
Then my partner and I decided we wanted to build a business together, bringing our skills, experience, and careers together under one project.
That’s how Amma Thérapie was born.
Within our very first year, we had landed around 30 retail locations.
The business was doing well, and sales continued to grow year after year.
Then… COVID hit.
Sales of protective masks exploded, which helped save the business from the economic slowdown.
After that, the growing interest in shopping local and wellness took the business to a whole new level.
What had started as our little side hustle, run out of a basement, had become a full-time business for both of us.
It was time to find a larger commercial space where we could work in a functional, professional environment.
Little by little, I realized just how lucky I was to be working in a field where wellness and health are at the heart of what we do.
It aligned perfectly with my values and the way I wanted to live my life.
The fashion industry is saturated, and the competition is incredibly tough.
And you know what?
I don’t really miss it.
So, what’s the lesson in all of this?
I believe we need to learn to adapt our careers to our pace of life and to what we need at different stages of our lives.
Our path doesn’t always look the way we imagined it would when we were 11.
Sometimes, you just have to trust that life will take you where you’re meant to be, as long as you get on the right boat and keep rowing toward something that truly means something to you.
And what about you?
Does your career path look anything like what you imagined when you were young?
Marie-Jeanne Gauthier
Co-Founder & Designer