We recently had the chance to connect with FRANCK HOUDIN and have shared our conversation below.
Hi FRANCK, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up every morning no matter what at 5.30 am, stretch and go for 20 mn fast walk, steep road for my cardio, listening the birds talking, watching coyotes finding there path, waking up with the silence .
Get back home and prepare my dog food breakfast, set the breakfast for us which is very important for me before a long day at the hairsalon, I wake up my wife when I am done with my meal, sounds weird to not taking my first meal of the day with my wife but she is not a morning person and I like my quiet time so, I will see her during the next 8 hours at work
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Franck houdin, I am 58, my wife Maryline and I running a hairsalon in cardiff by the sea since 18 years, we both came in USA 25 years ago for spice up our life.
I met Maryline back in France in 1988, she was hostess at the new hairsalon my ex boss was running, we did spend the first 18 years working in fashion industry in between Paris and the town we met, the training was intense but I am telling you the atmosphere everyday at the hairsalon was a team work, we were on the same boat, making people having the most high end experience.
The beginning here with the barrier of the langage was the most frustrated and difficult to facing at first but the people I was working for were super helpful, start learning all the vocabulary who was related to my daily work, watching every night movies by switching the audio and subtitles back and forth in English or French… 6 months later we were set up, license, apartment, car, social security and the green card my wife won at the French lottery, I know lucky star…
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I grew up in a country side in France, my dad was a professional musicien in the week end and he was running a mini farm during the week, my mum was taking care of the house and 3 boys,.
I found early age the silence of the nature, the beauty of the light, I spend my first 13 years been outside, surround animals and be independent, left my house when I was 15 years old, having my studio and taking care of my life , mycelf, with a huge support of my mentor who become my second parents .
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I think my job require me to get as much as I can confidences, no matter my day, my mood, that the way people who come to me, listening with attentions my advices, with no bullshit, as I do need to know about them, this way I can target what they need to be themself confident, but I am listening more than talking in general, remember, I grew up in small town, in a farm, I am not actually that social, I am a listener.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Well, after 25 years in California, coming from France, every breath I take is related to my culture, no doubt about it, people will know I am French before I say a world by watch my look, how I get dress, funny right?
Love the French cuisine , music, arts, architecture…etc
I am proud be American citizen with a French touch .
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I devoted my entire life to use what my parents gave me, capable to create, to visualize something other people don’t see the same way.
I am a photographer, hairstylist, Gardner musician and Dj, every minutes of my days will be connect to any type of art until my last breath
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fkhphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houdinfranck/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1QN5GiIPEg
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-770731240/tracks
Image Credits
Maryline Houdin Maguet [ wife}
Jean and Huguette Houdin
Pascal Houdin
Philippe Houdin
