People

Saturday, 02 April 2016

#WomenInStyle: Anastasia Babanina — the owner of Vendome Estate agency in Paris

This beautiful young Parisian perfectly speaks Russian. Meet Anastasia Babanina – the owner of Estate Vendome realty agency, just opened it in a prestigious VII district. Anastasia quickly acquired the status of partner came in the realty business from advertising. This is not my thanks for the successful transaction and not advertising. This is my new rubric about stylish and successful women who made themselves without any help from outside. Why I decided to do the obvious? I have two reasons for it. Firstly, there is no way to see same it-girls in the national gloss magazines… They are cute, of course, but as they say, the years went by, and they’re still “girls”, and they’re still “it”… I want new useful and interesting acquaintances. I’m sure my readers want them too. And secondly, some ladies used to think that it’s only possibility to be successful businesswoman if you have a rich father, husband or lover, which is so untruth.
I’m only going to present the next character for the new rubric in Instagram. But questions can be asked by everyone in the chat under the post. About the work. The facts of life. About the clothes. About beauty secrets. About favorite places in her city. On the basis of these chats I will be writing women’s history on evelinakhromtchenko.com website – including those questions that really interest my audience.

@motherlarisa: What was “before”? And what was your first step?
Anastasia Babanina: “Before” began in my childhood, I was engaged in sports acrobatics and was on the USSR team. The sport has brought up many of the qualities that helped me then in life.

@irunya_ustimenko: Why did you choose realty business? Afraid of competition?
@julia_meynaud: Was Anastasia born in France and did she choose realty business?
@elenapush: Anastasia, how did you started a realty business? How do you find objects?
Anastasia Babanina: I was born in Russia… I became involved in realty business by chance. In the middle 2000’s one Russian friend asked me to help find him an apartment in Paris, and for several of his friends. I worked in an advertising company and was searching objects and showing them in a lunchtime as a hubby.
I found the apartment with a French agent with whom we then opened a realty services agency for Russian-speaking customers in France, as there was a large demand. Firstly, I found objects through other agencies and concluded an agreement on the division of the fee, then owners began to contact us to sell their apartment directly… Don’t quite understand the question about competition.

@djamilya_924: What is a must have for the modern woman in the foreground: a family or self-realization? And how to combine these things? Successful woman and a great housewife is a very rare phenomenon.
Anastasia Babanina: I think that family is a part of self-realization of women and children in particular. My son is also my creative project and I always try to devote him enough time. I have to often take him to my work, and he does his lessons near to me in the next room, so as not to disturb the customers.

@z.zenchenko: Speaking about style, can you tell some sort of top 5-10 things a woman cannot imagine her wardrobe without? Some have a huge collection of sneakers, some of them buy all possible variations of vests, others buy sunglasses. I mean not basic things, but those things that can be called their DNA.
Anastasia Babanina: If I correctly understood, what are my favorite and necessary pieces? The only thing I buy in large quantities are high-heeled elegant and original shoes. Everything else is quite basic.

@helenazharikova: What daily good habits does Anastasia has?
Anastasia Babanina: I usually do a few yoga exercises in the morning. It immediately wakes me up!

@yantarig: How did Anastasia realized her life purpose? Anastasia Babanina: Honestly say, I didn’t understand, but intuitively felt some kind of obvious.

@nata_hna: What is the secret of success in realty business?
Anastasia Babanina: It’s necessary to be a good psychologist, a diplomat, and persistent at the same time.

@ksusha_121212: Do you Believe in coincidence? Tell us about “random” encounters and circumstances that contributed to your success.
Anastasia Babanina: I believe in chance! I had a lot of situations or encounters that really have helped me. But this happened only when I didn’t stop in front of a closed door. Randomness has always been stimulated.

@orangehaus: What can help a woman to be successful? What human qualities?
@mpirs1508: What helped Anastasia to be succeessful? What is her inspiration?
@iren.vl: What is the motivation to love life in every situation? What is beauty for you?
@nataliyaromanofa: Who or what inspires Anastasia?
Anastasia Babanina: Faith in myself and good people inspires me. Faith in communication with cheerful, energetic people that a lot of them around. This may be my 82-year-old janitor, which continues to sweep the sidewalk in front of the house, although she has been retired long time ago. Or young farmer – seller in the market, which always has a good mood and the most beautiful own-grown vegetables.
The beauty of life in human kindness, in nature, its gifts, beautiful music and works of art. I occasionally turn to them for motivation. And in moments of desperation trying to hold on to something that is positive.

@drankina_olga: How does Anastasia select employees for her business? What are the criteria?
Anastasia Babanina: Besidesn to professional competence it is a reliability, integrity and enthusiasm.

@natusya.nam: Is it true that close to such beautiful, strong and successful women, men are weak or none at all?
Anastasia Babanina: Relationships with men, of course, difficult. They say a man can’t find “his” place next to a strong woman because a strong woman doesn’t need anybody. But it’s not a truth!

@tmladies: How and when did you moved to France ?
@oxanamagouli: How did Anastasia moved to Paris?
@olgalazareva: How old was Anastasia when she was in Paris and what is her education?
@ingagunba: How did Anastasia moved to Paris and when?
@kseniabordeaux: Anastasia, how long do you live in Paris and what is your background? Thank you!
@dasha_gv: What is your background? Where did you study?
@_annapolyakova_: Where did you study, and what is your background?
Anastasia Babanina: I graduated from the faculty of journalism of Moscow state University in Moscow.
As a student of journalism, I won the annual competition to study in Paris at the local school of journalism. I was 21 years old. Then returned to Moscow to finish my study. I started working as a translator with a young French photographer and a few months later went again to Paris, but as his wife. I live in Paris over 20 years.

@z_irina_: I think your career way was difficult. Please tell what (who) helped you not to break down?
Anastasia Babanina: I absolutely do not feel that I “only” have achieved, I’m just in the process. Yes it was (especially at first) very hard. But I had always viewed Paris as a chance in my life, whatever happens, always tried and continue to be happy and find little pleasure here.

@oxanamagouli: How can you be successful in work that requires masculinity and men’s reactions without losing your feminine essence?
Anastasia Babanina: It is not necessary to be a “man in a skirt” and have a man’s grip in business. Just female softness, flexibility and charm helps me in the most difficult situations.

@komissdaria: As I know for myself, the most difficult is to start. A lot of fears, thoughts in my head prevent… How to overcome itself at the initial stage?
Anastasia Babanina: If you have a lot of fears and stray thoughts, perhaps, this is not your idea or it is not yet clear enough, and therefore you don’t know which side to approach her. Once the concept is clear you will feel it, then all fears will disappear, you will only desire to act.

@korenevaj: What kind of role men has played in your life and career? Were there any such men in your life who taught you something?
Anastasia Babanina: There was not enough strong man’ shoulder in life to have a chance to take a break. But I have a lot of male friends who just support me morally. My customers and colleagues from whom I learn a lot, especially the big businessmen. Some of them are extraordinary personalities with an incredible number of different businesses and hobbies in which they equally succeed.

@orangehaus: Great idea! I also wonder about the starting capital because is very essential for starting a business.
@privetyayana: Could you please describe more the beginning of your journey in this business. Did you have a starting capital? If so, how much was it?
@g.irina2707: What period of time took a development of your business, and how it all began?
@tasha_tregubova: Great idea! Thank you. Question to Anastasia: is it difficult to open a company in Paris? Do you need a citizenship and large downpayment?
Anastasia Babanina: I began my realty business about 10 years ago as a hobby at first because I worked for the company. Then I got pregnant and during maternity vacation I began to work hardly in this direction. The most important thing for me was that I could work from home (using aphone and Internet) and to do my favorite thing – my son. I remember that I was showing some apartments with the baby in kangaroo, all loved it. I never returned to work at the company. All the years I was not a business woman but business mother.
In order to open a company in France you need a starting capital of at least 1 Euro. Company registration is not difficult. The only difficult ting is to open a bank account. Aslo for opening of a company which means is to be the executive director, you need a French citizenship. But for the ordinary shareholder of the company, you need documents for permanent residence.
To engage in really activities without an agency, you need some investment on advertising, website, etc. and this amount I received with the first transaction. For opening of the agency you need some investments to purchase the space (the amount depends on the area) and repair, if required. Next you need to have the amount of rent and office expenses for at least 6 months in advance. This entire budget consisted of my savings for past transactions and I also took a private loan for 5 years. The size of investments depends on your preference of area for office, size office, its environment, number of employees.

@olgasergeevnakuts: Is your life harmonious? How many hours do you sleep, how do eat, what principles and goals do you have?
Anastasia Babanina: I try to do everything moderately. Not to work too much, as not to relax too much time, sleep not less than 7 hours, but not to go to bed too late. I eat 3 times a day without snacking, I try not to overeat.

@kseniazaza_: How quickly did you learn French?
Anastasia Babanina: I started learning French in high school.

@alfia_galimova: Great idea! Bravo, Evelina! Question to Anastasia: What qualities, in your opinion, helped you personally succeed and have you had to restrict something on the way to the goal?
Anastasia Babanina: I guess, willpower and passion. No special restrictions perhaps some enjoyment and entertainment.

@nastenayudina: When does a success begin?
Anastasia Babanina: I guess when you’re working on something hard and long and suddenly it has some results.

@semchenko_olga: Evelina, great idea, thank you! Anastasia, how did you understand when you have to stop and when you have to try again?
Anastasia Babanina: Intuitively.

@dyikanovagul: Cool idea! What do you like about this business?
Anastasia Babanina: Diversity, unexpected acquaintances. Buying and selling your home – it is very emotional and personal so clients open at once and I like the sudden close and trusting relationship. I love Parisian architecture and spirit of Paris, I love to sell not just apartment, but also its atmosphere. My customers are mostly foreigners, not only Russian speaking. And I as foreign woman in France like this. The financial aspect is also important.

@dyikanovagul: Were there some problems in family because of work, for example, you did not have time to school, kindergarten, didn’t spend time with child andfamily? Or everything was according to plan?
Anastasia Babanina: Basically, everything was according to plan, and if I was late it was not because of work. Time with my son is still in a priority and I noticed that the business environment is quite tolerable and respect it.

@dyikanovagul: Did you have a time to close your business and start to do something else?
Anastasia Babanina: While there was no boutique-agency and the staff I had more free time for other activities, for example, in parallel, I studied dietology. But now there is no time for anything else.

@talan_armavir: Anastasia, could you please share some main principles of business lady?
Anastasia Babanina: The main rules for me are not to look for a mistake in others, not to be mad at the circumstances, not to despair, not to complain, but to listen to the advices and to be nice but persistent.

@talan_armavir: What day schedule do you have?
@olgafil1173: Great idea! Good luck! It would be interesting to know what is a typical day for Anastasia looks like. How many time do you spend for work and how many for time do you spend for yourself?
Anastasia Babanina: In the morning I see off my son to school, then I go to the agency at 9 o’clock (luckily, work and home within walking distance) and work till 18.30. The workflow never ends, calls and emails can be anytime, but it’s never excessive. In the evening I read or watch a movie on the computer to relax.

@taavolirvag: Interesting! Favorite writers, education, where children are taught. About beauty secrets – what cosmetic brands use that to always have in your purse, favorite colors, favorite designer, how often and where do you relax?
@orangehaus: And about the style, its influence on the success, about your favorite brands.
@crimea_stylist: Your attitude to fashion?
@okulinich: Great!!! Interested in the secrets of beauty, which brands use what procedures do you do!
Anastasia Babanina: My favorite writer is Francoise Sagan. Son attends elementary private school. My cosmetic bag has a traditional French brand of cosmetics: Clarins, By Terry, Chanel and I like the Russian brand Natura Siberica. Always carry on a lipstick and compact powder. In my opinion, the main secret of beauty is a proper nutrition, I do not eat meat and anything fatty. But vegetables and fruits in unlimited quantity. Once a week I wash my face with Natura Siberica detox soap (by the way, this brand is being sold in Paris), then a nourishing mask for the face and Clarins or Natura Siberica cream. Each day I use body oil or cream after showering.
Prefer in shoes: Prada, in dresses: Helmut Lang, Stella McCartney, COS…
I rest two times a year: in the summer sea, I love the Greek Islands and Italy, winter – skiing in the French Alps.
In clothes I love pastel colors, especially the “faded rose” color, also use the basic colors: black or white, they are easy to combine with bright accessories or shoes, really like the dark blue “oil color” or the Indigo color.
I do not have any particular relation to fashion. Clothing should help you feel confident and emphasize your qualities. I love some details in clothing, original button, line or figure. I think glamorous style repels people from you when communicating so I don’t like it anymore.
The right clothing, creates your style and makes you feel confident…. And in business situations first impressions are crucial, so it’s very important to always look collected, elegantly and neatly.

@lerazabiyaka: How did you find your way? What was the most difficult on the road to success?
Anastasia Babanina: I can’t say that this is my way, rather, I found an hobby that I like and only now 10 years later I decided to open this agency. This is the next stage on the path to success. The most difficult thing is not to lose aim and not be afraid.

@lyubimova_maria_ya: My question is: are there any ideas in other business? How bravely you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Anastasia Babanina: I always have some business ideas that I mainly recommend to my friends, but do not feel some possibility to create something new, only if I meet a competent partner. I already had a sad experience in the organization of concerts, we failed after the second one. And in general, I have a dream to create a restaurant or cafe of healthy food, I love to cook.

@vive.coquelicots Wow, thank you @evelinakhromtchenko !: Finally someone is doing it! I would be happy to read! My question for: @vendome_estate : How do you deal with self-doubt? As you get more successful do you feel less of it? Does the nature of your doubts change? (I’m writing in English as I’m not sure how to formulate my question in Russian) Thank You! Merci!
Anastasia Babanina: I just confidently do something to fight against some doubts and insecurity in every situation. The more experience you have, the less doubts in your life.

@anastasia_grazia: Was there a critical moment in your work when it seemed that to go further will not work and this problem will not? And if so, what was the problem, and what has helped? Thank you!
Anastasia Babanina: The critical moment came a couple of years ago, when there were a very few customers, and the forces on their quest began to dry up, so I missed the excitement of work alone. It was necessary to radically change the business strategy. I had the idea to open the agency, but I had so much questions in my mind: where and how, one more agency ? And then by chance, reading an article about the future of the Russian cultural and spiritual center in Paris, I realized that it will be something big, and if I should open something it must be near. Then I managed to find a space for rent just opposite and credit.

@victoria.osica: Anastasia, do you have some moments when you so unhappy with yourself and your work? Or in difficult moments you have some new goals and incentives for the movement and creation?
Anastasia Babanina: I dissatisfied with myself more than often but I guess this is my motivation to move.

@nadejdaksenofontova: Hello, Anastasia! Tell us about your two most favorite places in Paris.
@faridafaritovna: Anastasia, what are your most favorite places in Paris?
@rihshenka: Super! Would have been a goal! I also dream to wander around Paris… Question: What is Anastasia’s favorite place in Paris?
Anastasia Babanina: I have a lot of them! Hard to pick just two… Especially I love to walk along the Seine, on the lower level next to the water. And in the Tuileries gardens.

@ku_china: I have only one question – how to start and how to find a sphere of activity?
Anastasia Babanina: Firstly, I would advise to think what you like to do or what you’re good at? What do you like and doesn’t make you tired? Secondly, you have to think what can you do new in this area, or better than others? Discuss it with your friends, relatives, what they see in you talents. At some time you will understand that it’s what you need if you have an entrepreneurial streak of course.

@feliz_mama_andru_victoria: Tell please about your personal life, do you have a family and children?
@vinogradochka: Do you have a family and children? How do you manage to combine?
@ekaterina.biri: I also like the idea! Question: How do you balance business and personal life?
Anastasia Babanina: I have 11 years son Vladimir, my husband and I divorced, but in a fairly good relationship, he also spends a lot time with son and he can replace me when its necessary.

@feliz_mama_andru_victoria: Did you have to restrict something to achieve the goal? Plans for the future?
Anastasia Babanina: No special restrictions only entertainment or a vacation. Future plans are to do the maximum that for work. I’ve just opened.

@elena_solomon: In what Anastasia sees the meaning of her life?
@feliz_mama_andru_victoria: What is your biggest goal in life?
Anastasia Babanina: Life consists of movement to some little purpose but there is no some big personal goal. Perhaps it is only to make my son happy and good person. Then, get old and be an active, interesting and socially desirable person.

@okulinich: And how did you change one activity to another ? How do I have to start and how to do it successfully?
Anastasia Babanina: My advertising experience was very helpful for building of my own brand. Also realty business mostly consists of proper communication with clients and advertising objects.

@elenauraksina: Always interesting in stories of people… And the question is. What makes you move forward and for what?
Anastasia Babanina: It is a desire to make good work (unless you like it), to look for ways how to do it better, and bring it to some logical outcome.

@nataruzh: Is it interesting to be a successful career woman?
Anastasia Babanina: I don’t feel like a career woman, I’m just a woman with an interesting hobby that brings profit.

@nataruzh: Were you disappointed of the fact that all you need to do is not inspire a man for the achievement but to do something on your own?
Anastasia Babanina: In my life there were men, whom I inspired, one of them still thank me. Just that activity was not enough for the two of us, there was no space for me.

@faridafaritovna: Could you become a real Parisian, do you have many friends there?
Anastasia Babanina: I live more than half of my life in Paris, I love the spirit of this city. Here is my family, my younger sister (who also moved here). A lot of friends. Everything is clear and comfortable here. I can say that I feel myself Parisian.

@faridafaritovna: How do you spend your free time, of course, if it is?
Anastasia Babanina: I try to have free time. Running along the promenade, go to dance school, movies, dinner, walk in the Bois de Boulogne, cook and so on.

@tasha_tregubova: Was there some prejudice against a Russian girl?
Anastasia Babanina: There wasn’t that kind of feeling at all.

@crimea_stylist: Describe yourself in 5 years.
Anastasia Babanina: I want my business being successfull with an interesting team, I want to open other agencies or sold franchise. At the personal level, I want to meet the man who would become a life-partner and I would like to adopt a child with him.

@pajetra: How cool!!! This is really what we need. Question: When did you start believing in yourself?
Anastasia Babanina: It started in the sport.

@itsannieone: Anastasia, was the realty business dream of your life?
Anastasia Babanina: No, I wanted to be a choreographer, since the childhood I like to dance and to plan the composition.

@sveta.mar: What was your dream in your early careed and what’s your dream now?
Anastasia Babanina: I guess I wanted to open an agency. Now I dream that it worked well without financial difficulties.

@sveta.mar: Do you have some periods when you get bored at what you do and how do you deal with it? How do you motivate yourself?
Anastasia Babanina: Yes, of course. In such cases I simply forcing myself, motivation comes in the process.

@alpha.eridani: What helped you more – education or experience?
Anastasia Babanina: In the beginning education helped me more, but it now the experience helps me.

@m.evmenenko: Anastasia, what helps you to believe in yourself and what difficulties can you avoid, when you start your own business?
Anastasia Babanina: Positive experience helps to believe in yourself.
There are many difficulties in every business. Before you start you should learn the maximum about the experiences from other entrepreneurs. Usually people love to talk about their business.

@sweetlana_muller: Evelina, thanks for the great idea! My question to the Anastasia: What is it like to be a woman in that sphere in which you are employed? Do you haver any difficulties, or it’s opposite, helps?
Anastasia Babanina : In my opinion, it’s veru harmoniously to be a woman in the sales of apartments because the woman is always associated with a house. I had no special “female” difficulties.

Anastasia Babanina: I want to thank all of you for interesting questions that made me think deeply about my life.
I also wanted to say: “Bravo, Evelina, for such a brilliant idea!” Someone said that truly successful people never would pressure surrounding by his success, and will show others how to achieve it. This is what does Evelina in her TV-show and in her “Fashion School” for many years. A new rubric on evelinakhromtchenko.com website is a logical continuation of her work.