Interview with Sabine Azoulay, THE RENAISSANCE
Babylange was born at the same time as my son Ruben, at a time when the world of childcare seemed stuck in outdated stereotypes. Inspired by my own experience of motherhood and with my background in real estate, I felt the need to embark on this adventure. My objective was clear: to revitalize this somewhat dormant world by injecting it with new energy and responding to the real needs of parents.
More than a brand, Babylange is the symbol of my journey of emancipation as a woman and mother, proving that femininity, motherhood and entrepreneurship can be combined without compromise.
Today, after ten years of challenges and successes, I am proud to see how Babylange has evolved and established itself in the world of childcare.
To everyone reading this, I want to say that the path may be bumpy, but every step is worth it. Continue to believe in your dreams and move forward with passion. The best is always yet to come.
2. Can you describe a typical day in your life as an entrepreneur and mother? How do you reconcile these two roles?
As a mom and entrepreneur, my days are a fine balance between family and professional responsibilities. They start at 7 a.m., with particular attention paid to my children, because their well-being is my absolute priority.
My morning is dedicated to Babylange: I supervise projects with my team and make strategic decisions. I also manage the choice of fabrics and maintain relationships with suppliers.
In the afternoon, I explore new opportunities in the real estate sector and develop my professional network. Luck doesn't fall from the sky, you have to go look for it.
In the evening, I find my children to share fully with them. Reconciling these roles requires rigorous discipline and flawless organization. The balance is fragile, but fundamental.
3. How have you constructed your relationship with time, you who live at full speed?
Time, this precious resource that always seems to elude us, imposes a frantic pace on our daily lives. I have discovered that the key lies in the art of delegating and letting go. This understanding was the catalyst for a radical transformation in the way I organize my days. By building a talented and trusted team, I lightened my mental load and was able to focus on the strategic aspects of my business. John C. Maxwell was not mistaken: “teamwork makes the dream possible”.
This collaborative approach is much more than a simple operational adjustment, it is the foundation of our collective success and transforms challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.
Thus, time, far from being an adversary, becomes a precious ally, allowing me to calmly navigate through a busy schedule, while focusing my energy on what I do best: creation.
4. The habits and customs of your childhood still accompany you. They also forged your culture of beauty. In what way?
I was raised by strong women. My mother instilled in me the values of independence, simplicity and humility. She taught me to value work, to focus on the essentials and to ignore the superfluous. This education taught me to never depend on others and to remain discreet.
My journey has also been shaped by the world of textiles and artisanal crafts, a direct influence from my grandmother, who lived in the heart of Le Sentier, a Parisian district vibrant with the clicking of sewing machines and the effervescent exchanges of manufacturers.
She was the one who gave me my first machine, a real revelation. Immersed in this excitement, I forged my business sense, developed a sensitivity for details and appreciated beauty in its purest form. Carried by this heritage, I honor today, both in my life and in my brand, the work of these inspiring women.
5. How do you define Babylange’s style and how does it differ from other childcare brands on the market?
Babylange draws the contours of a half-cocoon, half-armor brand, irresistibly connected to the lifestyle of parents while meeting the needs of children. It stands out for its desire to break the codes of classic childcare.
Our changing bags, for example, incorporate a removable lining system allowing us to personalize and interchange the design of the bag according to our desires, our outfits, with endless possibilities.
Each item is designed to be easily transportable, adapting to a nomadic, modern and dynamic lifestyle. Babylange is an introduction to travel, designed to support parents at all stages of their lives.
6. Fashion, art, as so many sources of expression. How do you feed your inspiration on a daily basis?
I believe in the fertilization of ideas, between art and fashion. A combination of worlds which reveals an infinity of stimuli, of which I strive to capture each nuance, each vibration. Visiting museums, reading works on the history of art and fashion, exploring archives allow me to understand stylistic developments and identify timeless elements that still resonate today. I like to shake up my imagination. As a Parisian, the city itself is an endless source of inspiration. The architecture, the Haussmann-style facades, the small designer boutiques, the bustling cafes and even the passers-by with their unique styles – it all makes for a constantly evolving living picture.
Meetings and discussions are also essential. Dialogue with artists, designers, artisans or even art lovers enriches my perspective. Everyone brings their vision, their experience, and these sharings are often the breeding ground for new ideas.
7. Your passion for female empowerment pushes you to create connections between women. Why is it so crucial for you to foster these connections, and do you have specific projects in mind to develop a concept around this theme?
I have often felt a deep disappointment at the lack of solidarity between women, seeing instead a form of competition. However, sisterhood is our lifeline. Women must become aware of this power that lies in the hand they hold out. It is this vision that strengthens my determination to unlock our potential and celebrate female empowerment.
I plan to launch collaborative initiatives to foster connections between women and create a supportive network of mutual support, experience sharing and mentoring. By creating these connections, we can celebrate our successes together, support each other through difficult times, and find role models, guidance, and inspiration to move forward.
8. You travel often. What are your favorite destinations and how do these trips influence your creativity?
I am a free electron in eternal movement. Feet firmly on the ground, but head in the clouds. It is in this in-between, this liminal space between sky and earth, that I find my essence, where I feel intensely alive and deeply inspired. Each takeoff, each climb above the clouds, represents a suspended moment, which symbolizes freedom and the infinite possibility of exploring new horizons, both geographical and cultural. I have a vital need for light, to be in touch with the elements. In this fullness, I also seek to free myself from the hyperconnection of everyday life, to return to the essential. Reconnecting with yourself, reconnecting with your creativity and fundamental values then becomes essential.
My favorite destinations are those that reveal a wealth of traditions and colors. Africa, with its majestic landscapes and vibrant stories, evokes for me the spirit of adventure of Out of Africa , a film that had a profound impact on me. Similarly, India, with its colorful festivals, has given me unforgettable experiences. Each escapade broadens my horizons and enriches my creations.
Don't they say that the most beautiful journey is the one we haven't yet taken?
9. One or more mantras?
“Never stop dreaming. Everything is possible. »
Jean d'Ormesson sums it up so well: “There are days, months, endless years when almost nothing happens. There are minutes and seconds that contain a whole world.”
10. With its 10 years of existence, Babylange continues its adventure. What do you want to share next?
We are going to tell stories rooted in the reality of parents.
We're going to travel.
We will dream…
We will be rock and rebel!
But above all, we will fully embody the version of parents that we aspire to become.
