Join Thomas and Gemma, the dynamic duo behind ‘L'Hexagone Bistro Français’ in Norwich, as they recount their inspiring journey into the restaurant world. They share the thrill and nerves of launching their French bistro, the emotional challenges of balancing parenting with business, and the resilience they found during the early pandemic days. With heartwarming tales of love and cuisine, they discuss the vital role of community support and the lessons learned that encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.
29:59
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Meeting in Carcassonne
Thomas and Gemma met in Carcassonne, France, during Gemma's 30th birthday weekend.
After three years of long-distance, Thomas moved to Norwich, where they opened L'Hexagone.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Don't Wait to Pursue Your Dreams
Don't wait too long to pursue your business dreams, or you might regret it later.
Thomas and Gemma emphasized the importance of taking the leap and not delaying.
question_answer ANECDOTE
COVID-19 Challenges
L'Hexagone opened in January 2020, only to face COVID-19 lockdowns a few months later.
Gemma recalls the uncertainty and fear they felt, thinking their dream might be over.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This episode wraps up our 'Startup to Standout' mini-series, presented in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this final episode, Jake joins Thomas and Gemma, the passionate duo behind ‘L'Hexagone Bistro Français’, a charming restaurant that celebrates the rich flavours of French cuisine right in the heart of Norwich. The couple chat about the journey that led them to open their doors in Norwich, from their love of French cuisine to the excitement and nerves of launching their own restaurant. They open up about the inspiration behind their brand and the courage it took to break into the restaurant scene together. They also discuss balancing the demands of parenting with running a bustling restaurant, along with the tough times they faced, especially when COVID-19 hit just as they were getting started. Thomas and Gemma share the valuable lessons they’ve learned, from weathering setbacks to finding the resilience to keep going, encouraging anyone with a business idea to take the leap if their vision is clear. Lloyds Bank is here to help businesses like L'Hexagone thrive. With guidance, funding, and personalised support, they empower entrepreneurs to take that leap, whether it's opening a new location or just starting out.
Jake is also joined by Elyn Corfield, CEO of Business and Commercial Banking at Lloyds, to reflect on the conversations he has had during this series and discuss the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in today’s business landscape. Elyn also talks about some of the initiatives Lloyds Bank offers to support founders through those challenging early years of business
The High Performance Podcast 