Name: Elisa Niemtzow
Age: 37
Location: New York, New York
Education: Board Certified in Integrative Nutrition and Holistic Health, Institute of Integrative Nutrition; MBA in Luxury Goods Marketing & Management, Sup de Luxe in Paris; Masters in International Relations, Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris; BA in French Studies, University of Pennsylvania
Job title: Principal, Sequoia Lab; Owner, living épanoui
What she does: As a former Chanel executive turned wellness coach turned brand and business strategist, Eliza Niemtzow has worn many different hats over the years. But throughout her career, she’s always advocated well-being as one of the most important aspects of our lives. In 2007, Franco-American Elisa founded living épanoui, a wellness and lifestyle firm where she coaches clients by applying her “feel good, French style” philosophy. When she’s not working one-on-one with clients, she leads wellness workshops and discussions for companies like Barclay’s Capital and Barneys. She’s also the Principal of Sequoia Lab, a consulting firm that partners with CEOs and entrepreneurs to create profitable, sustainable and socially responsible businesses.
How she got her gig: Before focusing her career on individual and corporate wellness, Elisa managed multi-million dollar accounts as a Ready-to-Wear executive at Chanel and worked with Ernst & Young and Accenture as an auditor and management consultant in Paris. “I loved working with women at Chanel on their style. But something was missing,” says Elisa. “I wanted to help women feel confident and beautiful in their skin, and in their life, beyond just having the right outfit. When a colleague approached me for help with her diet, I decided to channel my passion for health and wellness into my own business.” She founded living épanoui (a French word for “happiness”) so she could help everyone from business leaders to Manhattan power moms achieve healthier, more balanced lifestyles. But her next venture wasn’t too far off: recognizing that health was not only important for individuals, but also for communities and the environment as a whole, Elisa became Principal at Sequoia Lab so she could help businesses with their Corporate Social Responsibility strategies.
Healthy habits: “After a more traditional corporate career, I wanted to focus on improving well-being,” says Elisa. So in 2007, she decided to pursue a certification in Integrative Nutrition and Holistic Health from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, where she studied under some of the world’s leading natural health practitioners, including Dr. Oz. “With living épanoui, I help women feel good in their bodies and in their lives, without stress and deprivation. Helping my first women clients feel at peace with their food and excited about their lives was very gratifying.” And she’s extended the concept of “living épanoui,” or living “in full bloom,” to working with large companies who want to create profitable yet socially impactful businesses. “In working with companies such as L’Oréal and Sodexo, we see that making money and creating value in our world go hand-in-hand.”
The many meanings of success: Although Elisa has been named one of New York City’s Power Players by Gotham magazine and has worked with clients as big as Alicia Keys and major companies like GE and Dior, her idea of success has evolved over the years. “Today, being successful to me means staying in the moment, enjoying my everyday life and being engaged in the world.” But she still gets excited over wrangling in new business: “It’s a great feeling to bring in your own deals. This summer, I brought in my biggest yet with an Asian company.”
Money matters: While Elisa helps her clients focus on wellness, she also realizes that financial health is an incredibly important asset. “I would like to achieve more financial independence,” she says. “Even if you are doing what you love, you have to still make sure you are financially secure.” Her advice? “If you want to be in the health & wellness industry, make sure you have a way to earn a steady income. If you’re into CSR (corporate social responsibility) and sustainability, be open to broader corporate roles where you can do that on the side and grow your expertise.”
But family matters, too: Elisa relies on her family to get through the inevitable stress that comes with such a packed schedule. “I try to figure out what’s really stressing me, and treat the cause. My husband is an invaluable sounding board and support,” says Elisa. “I come from a family of strong women, and my mother always reminds me that I have succeeded through difficult moments before.”
This job’s for you if: you’re flexible and
open to new opportunities each day.
“There are few typical days although I’m always up early and keep regular
hours,” says Elisa. But while she never
knows how her day may take shape, some elements are always the same: “Mostly
each day combines client work and business development. It’s important to make time to network over
meals and attend conferences, which is easier to do when you’re your own
boss.” And, as expected, Elisa always
makes an effort to maintain her healthy habits,
no matter what the day may bring: “My main form of transportation is
walking, because I hate being indoors at a gym, and I always eat lunch away
from my computer.”
