Laurent Vernhes: Quality-Obsessed Exited Founder: "Business is a Form of Art"

Apr 25, 2024

Laurent Vernhes, a seasoned entrepreneur, built the luxury travel brand Tablet Hotels before pivoting to the wine industry. He discusses the art of creating luxury brands and the emotional bonds that fuel business success. With a focus on quality and authenticity, Laurent shares insights on balancing growth while preserving artistic integrity. He reflects on the transformative nature of financial success and emphasizes the importance of personal intent in entrepreneurial endeavors, revealing how experiences shape one’s creative journey.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

From Frustration to Freedom: The Tablet Hotels Journey

02:09 • 8min

Balancing Growth and Desirability in Business

09:56 • 24min

Transforming Perspectives on Wealth and Freedom

34:11 • 3min

Entrepreneurial Growth and Emotional Awareness

36:58 • 9min

Exploring Fulfillment and Creative Intent

45:59 • 14min

Navigating Life's Dualities

59:43 • 9min

Laurent Vernhes spent 20 years shaping Tablet Hotels into a tech and luxury travel icon, culminating in its acquisition by the discerning Michelin Group 4 years ago.

Now, Laurent is channeling his expertise and refined taste into launching a wine company committed to delivering the world’s finest wines at fair prices.

In this episode, we explore the art of building luxury brands, quality obsession, and treating business as an artistic endeavor. A deep and independent thinker, Laurent shares his life lessons with us in a beautifully vulnerable way.

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(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:18) Introduction and Greeting
(00:01:30) About Laurent's Thought Process and Life Experiences
(00:01:50) Journey of Building Tablet Hotels
(00:02:20) Motivation Behind Starting Tablet Hotels
(00:04:12) Importance of Convincing People in Business
(00:07:15) Challenge of Funding
(00:09:55) Growth and Business Model of Tablet Hotels
(00:10:15) Difference in Business Approaches
(00:11:04) Brief on LVMH & Bernard Arnaud
(00:12:00) Methodology of Growing Businesses
(00:14:07) Process of Shift to the Next Business Venture
(00:16:18) Process of Looking Inward For Growth
(00:19:09) Decision on Regaining Entrepreneurial venture
(00:20:46) Intersection of Art and Commerce
(00:22:57) Art, Wine, and Commerce
(00:23:24) Structure of the Wine Industry
(00:24:18) The art of wine making
(00:26:04) The drawback of removing alcohol from wine
(00:26:26) Scouting wine artisans globally
(00:27:58) Mission to help people discover good wine
(00:31:30) Learning about the complexity of wine distribution in the US
(00:34:38) Money as a means of freedom
(00:37:14) Engaging with life through entrepreneurship
(00:40:37) On becoming an angel investor
(00:42:51) Self-growth and patience
(00:45:33) Creating something desirable
(00:46:29) Fulfillment and Happiness
(00:49:45) Fulfillment as Satisfaction
(00:53:30) Personal Growth and Intent
(00:57:39) About New Business MV Wine
(00:59:41) Engaging with Life When Awake
(01:02:06) Dealing with Unfiltered Challenges
(01:05:32) Creating a Vehicle to Express Creativity
(01:07:31) Perception of Selfishness
(01:08:07) Conclusion and Gratitude