Entrepreneur of the Month: Cécile Barry x Noam

For this new article, we decided to sit down with a serial entrepreneur who has just launched a gourmet catering brand specializing in Mediterranean cuisine: Noam. Cécile Barry shares her journey, her new venture, and offers her best advice as an expert in women’s entrepreneurship

1. Could you introduce yourself for those who don't know you?

My name is Cécile Barry. I have been a business owner for nearly 20 years (Ajicé Group and Noam), and I served as president of an association of women entrepreneurs for 10 years (Action'elles).

I'm motivated by promoting women's entrepreneurship in France and elsewhere, as well as youth entrepreneurship in Africa. I love helping others grow their businesses; I find it incredibly inspiring.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I was the communications director for a real estate franchise network, and I always knew I was going to become an entrepreneur....

2. Can you tell us about your new brand?

Noam, founded in late 2020, is a gourmet catering service specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. When we talk about the Mediterranean, we’re showcasing the flavors of the 21 countries that border it. For me, Noam is like a culinary cruise.

With just one menu, you can discover flavors from three different countries. Our products are carefully sourced and are either organic or grown using sustainable farming practices, and our packaging is also eco-friendly. We deliver throughout the Île-de-France region to both individuals and businesses.

3. Why did you decide to embark on this adventure now?

A few years ago, my business partner and I co-founded an events and public relations agency, the Ajice Group, which—like many others—was hit hard by the consequences of the health crisis. Fortunately, we’re starting to see a glimmer of hope, and business is picking up again...

Amid this global stagnation, unable to sit still, I decided to create Noam which stemmed from a desire to satisfy my thirst for travel in a different way: through cooking...

It's a new challenge, and I constantly need to challenge myself, and I think (and I did say "I think," laughs...) that this will be my last venture...

Just so you know, I'm not the one in the kitchen (laughs...), but the chef and his team really know how to take our guests on a culinary journey and make their mouths water.

The two companies complement each other well and will be able to continue growing together.

4. What advice would you give to women who want to start a business?

My main piece of advice is for women: be ambitious—to me, that’s the key to success. Ambition shouldn’t be viewed negatively, as some people think. It’s simply about having a clear and distinct vision of what you want to achieve in life and going after it. Aim high and act with integrity, respecting both yourself and others.

Always push beyond your limits, because we all have unimaginable resources within us. Please, girls, dare to take risks...

Don't be afraid of failure; failure is just an obstacle that helps you bounce back stronger. Someone who fails is more likely to succeed later on than someone who has never tried...

5. How can you stay motivated when faced with the challenges of entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, just as the world of salaried employment isn't for everyone either. Don't think that being an entrepreneur means working less—on the contrary, you'll be devoting twice as much time to it, often around the clock, because your mind is always racing.

So before you get started, get to know yourself—and, above all, your limits. How far are you willing to go? Being an entrepreneur means being a visionary and an optimist; these two qualities will help you overcome any obstacle. One more thing: you can’t succeed on your own. You need to surround yourself with a team, friends, and family who will be there to cheer you on when you’re feeling down.

6. What values do Noam and Nuhanciam share?

At Nuhanciam, you’ll find natural products made in France, just like at Noam. Supporting others—and women entrepreneurs in particular—is a hallmark of both the Nuhanciam management team and myself.

Nuhanciam is a brand that champions diversity and brings people together, and that’s exactly what I wanted to do with Noam: create a cuisine as warm as the Mediterranean that also champions diversity by representing all countries, no matter where they are.

7. What are your favorite Nuhanciam skincare products?

I have to admit that I’m a big fan and avid user of Nuhanciam, and my favorite products are: the Anti-Blemish Emulsion, the SPF 50+ Sunscreen, and the Ultimate Body Treatment. These products are specially formulated for and help heal very dark skin like mine—there are very few like them on the market.