Interview with Ronéll Rosier
Who is your biggest role model?
My biggest role model is my mom. It may sound like a cliché, but her unwavering mentality inspires me. In the face of adversity, she refuses to give up, proving repeatedly that the impossible is achievable. She shows confidence in her abilities, and witnessing her resilience is admirable. For me, she symbolises the essence of a great role model.
Role models, such as parental role models, are crucial for success, but the definition of this concept is very subjective. How do you define success?
Initially, I viewed success through the lens of business accomplishments and financial stability. However, as I’ve matured (not yet fully), my definition of success has changed. Now, success for me is personal fulfilment and positively impacting society. It’s about finding joy and contentment within oneself while striving to contribute to bettering others’ lives.
This actually reminds me of Plato’s concept of Eudaimonia, which interestingly enough translates to “flourishing”. Achieving happiness for him meant pursuing your own potential, which means pursuing possibilities, opportunities, careers. Why did you decide to pursue this particular possibility? And what sparked your interest in nutritional supplements?
The idea for Flourish originated from my academic research on the plant Rhaponticum Carthamoides and its effects on muscle protein synthesis. Upon completing my thesis, my professor encouraged me to explore the possibility of commercialising this research. This key moment ignited the spark for Flourish! As for nutritional supplements, my passion for optimising and maintaining human performance led me to delve into this area, recognising the potential to impact individuals’ well-being positively.
While you were reflecting back on the roots of your project, how does your business look now vs. when you first started?
Luckily, my business has grown since its start. Nowadays, Flourish shows a more professional demeanour, continually enhancing every aspect, such as improving the website, packaging etc. With a growing customer base, my focus is now on expanding our social media presence.
Putting these enhancements, rapid changes and obstacles into context: What is the hardest part of being an entrepreneur?
For me, juggling my entrepreneurial aspirations alongside my academic and sports commitments is the greatest challenge.
What helped you optimize your work-life balance when it came to your academic career, sports career, and now your business career?
Maintaining a work-life balance can sometimes be a tall order. While my academic pursuits demand the most time and effort, sports serve as a form of relaxation and mental restoration. Strangely enough, my sport and business career fuel my energy and passion. Although it’s a constant juggle, finding joy in my pursuits motivates me.
Do you think your academic background from VU has helped you during your entrepreneurial endeavours, or do you think that this was more of an independent initiative?
My academic background from VU has undoubtedly significantly shaped my entrepreneurial journey. Studying human movement sciences provided me with invaluable insights into the complexity of the human body, which proved instrumental in developing Flourish‘s products and strategies.