EP06: Things I Have Learned From Living and Working In France for the Past 20 Years

Building trust and thriving in France means embracing patience, cultivating meaningful relationships, and balancing confidence with humility. Drawing from 20 years of life in France, Jane Bertch shares insights and life lessons that show the unique cultural values shaping her experience.

Jane reflects on the deep investment required to build relationships, where trust and understanding take precedence over quick connections, and offers a poignant nod to “Le Petit Prince.” Jane also explores how the French reverence for expertise influences business, where contracts are rooted in reputation and trust rather than mere transactions. What does it take to navigate this delicate balance of trust and professionalism?

Presentation—whether in demeanor or surroundings—plays an important role, paired with a deep respect for personal privacy that allows connections to grow naturally over time. Jane’s reflections encourage listeners to embrace these lessons as tools for reinvention and personal growth, wherever life may take them.

Join Jane in this episode for a thoughtful exploration of life in France, and gain insights into relationships, expertise, and the art of embracing reinvention with patience and grace.

Quotes

• “Relationships in France are long-term investments. They don’t come overnight.” (04:19 | Jane Bertch)
• “Contracts are based on relationships. They’re not based on money.” (07:36 | Jane Bertch)
• “Confidence and humility, I think, are two key words when it comes to doing business in France.” (10:07 | Jane Bertch)
• “Presentation is everything... It’s not the exterior aesthetics, it’s also, again, the confidence.” (10:17 | Jane Bertch)
• “Being showy and bling bling… is vulgar to people. It’s really vulgar to the people I know. So I always try to have a careful balance. I think about this in my life. I think about this as my business. To share, not to show. To share because showing can become showing off.” (18:55 | Jane Bertch)

Links

Connect with Jane Bertch:

Website: www.janebertch.com

Instagram @janebertch

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm