How to succeed in entrepreneurship with D-LAB founder Fleur Phelipeau

It takes courage to start your own business ! That's what Fleur Phelipeau did 15 years ago when she founded the D-LAB dietary supplements, advocating an ultra-innovative message: health and beauty are intimately connected. Acting deeply would restore balances and reveal inner beauty by focusing on unique programs: using both natural and powerful ingredients to take care of one's skin, hair, stomach, and body in general. We asked this visionary to tell us about her incredibly inspiring journey, gathering along the way some great advice for daring to start your own journey.

I started my studies at Dauphine until a Master's in Finance, before joining HEC in my second year. I finished HEC with a double master's, then obtained the Télécom ParisTech diploma. Ultimately, I always trained in what was less obvious for me, as I wasn't necessarily talented in finance. My intention from the start was to set challenges for myself, to use studies to explore new areas... before starting my own business.

Actually, I never saw myself doing anything else. I always wanted to create things to sell: at the age of ten, I was already making candles and jewelry that I sold at the market. I loved playing shopkeeper! At the time, I saw myself as a pharmacist or florist... and in a way, with D-LAB, it's a bit of a mix of both. If life surprises us, I think this desire is a matter of personality from the start. Also, when I was young, my father bought the Vichy Water company and developed its medical center. So, I grew up with the idea that beauty comes from within, that there was an inseparable link between beauty, health, and nutrition. In my entrepreneurial journey, I drew a lot of inspiration from my father, who always told me that I would never take over his business to avoid the risks of a family succession. And indeed, even though I have two children now, I know they will never take over mine either.

I did it at a time when it wasn't easy, 15 years ago, just after leaving school. Even today, I don't have investors following me. I started with my student loan of €40,000, which I applied for the day before finishing my studies. However, it's not a risk I would recommend: it stressed me out a lot. It took me over three years to earn a salary, in addition to repaying the loan.

Our collagen range (Jeunesse-Absolue, Absolute Collagen...) has been among our best-sellers for many years, along with our dietary supplements for hair beauty and our Absolute Hyaluronic which plumps the skin. We work with natural, clean ingredients with planet-friendly sourcing, ensuring respect for both the planet and the consumer, with real expertise throughout the supply chain: how raw materials were harvested, dried, de-bacterialized, stored... Nothing was left to chance.

This factory, located in my favorite region, is the project of my life. Seeing it operate every day gives me an extreme emotion. Thanks to it, we have been able to raise quality standards and now manage to use highly concentrated extracts with almost pharmaceutical standards throughout the line. The big difference is that we can now source 100% of our raw materials rather than buying them from subcontractors. This gives us unprecedented freedom and independence.

When we created the factory, we were supported locally by the banks who trusted us because they understand our business. Local banks are more willing to take risks, to invest in favor of territorial development. We were able to rely on them for debt financing instead of seeking investors.

I think you shouldn't overthink it: as soon as your project becomes a real obsession, it's time to launch it. Because in reality, you're never really ready. You have to think that the launch is just the very beginning of what's going to happen. Ultimately, the network can be built quite easily when you have a relatively humble, well-thought-out, coherent, and applied approach: then, a lot of people will naturally lend you a hand. Besides, it's not true to say that competitors don't talk to each other. Everyone can help each other out, give advice. We ourselves at the factory manufacture for others, there is a lot of kindness, especially between projects that aim to be socially and environmentally engaged.

To me, the greatest successes are the human successes within the company we create, for example when someone tells you they are fulfilled, that they feel useful, that they are proud of the products that come out, or even that they are happy to come to work in the morning. That's my great pride.

First and foremost, to know what you want: if you don't know what you want, nobody will know it for you. Take the time to ask yourself where you want to go, in what business structure, ask yourself the right questions and then determine precisely your goals and exactly how far you want to go. Then, it's also about telling your partners where you are going, as it's possible that others may not want to go there.

We plan to expand the factory by adding just under 2,000m². We have also launched a research and development program to grow our own ingredients: it's the only missing link in the chain.