Interview with Louis-Henri LOPY (IMHI 2022)

AAIMHI: What do you best remember from your time at IMHI?

Louis-Henri: When I reflect on my time at IMHI, the first thing that comes to mind is the strong sense of belonging I felt. This sense of belonging was essential in creating what we call the IMHI family, and it played a significant role in my personal growth. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who shared the same drive and determination was incredibly motivating, and I always left the school wondering if I had done enough for the day, inspired by seeing my peers working on their next assignment or business plan.

As I exited the campus, the words "Enlighten, Lead, Change" written on the top of the doors left a lasting impression on me. These words, just like IMHI, carry a sense of responsibility and reminded me of the impact that I could have on the world. I felt proud to have been accepted into IMHI and will always be proud to have been a part of the community.

AAIMHI: You have co-founded Coupure IMHI, tell us about it!

Louis-Henri: Coupure is an exciting project that I started during my first year at IMHI. As someone who has always been drawn to podcasts as a medium for communication and learning, I saw an opportunity to create one for our Masters program. With the help of Madeleine, Fiona, and later Pierre Yves, we set out to interview insightful individuals in the hospitality industry. Today, we are proud to have just released our 10th interview, in which Madeleine speaks with Laurent Petit, a three-Michelin-starred chef in Annecy.

AAIMHI: What did you do right after graduating, can you share a bit about your different experiences before and after IMHI?

Louis-Henri: After finishing IMHI, I took a break to reflect on my career goals. During this time, I spoke with other graduates to learn from their experiences and from mentors like Gaelle Rioualen, who offered me valuable insights and advice.

I also spent time in Senegal, working on an eco-lodge project with my parents. We traveled to Marrakech to buy furnishings, made new partnerships and I helped create new guest experiences. Looking back, I realize that this break provided me with a fresh perspective and added depth to my professional development.

AAIMHI: Could you share an achievement in your life you are particularly proud of? Are there any lessons you have learned that you would like to share ?

Louis-Henri: During my two-year tenure at IMHI, my most significant accomplishment has been gaining a deeper understanding of introspection as a means of guiding my actions. While I had heard of self-reflection before, it was only when it clicked that I grasped its true meaning. Now, I regularly ask myself why I am taking certain actions, what I stand for, and what the long-term impact of my decisions might be. Finding answers to these questions isn't always easy, but the process itself is immensely rewarding. In a world that values numbers, results, and social influence - all of which I am a part of through my business and studies - I am constantly reminded to prioritize my own sense of fulfillment.

I still remember something Mark Saint Julien said during the opening of Y2 that stuck with me - “Don’t compare yourself or your life to others because you’re not on the same page, or maybe not even in the same book.” To this, I would add my own insight - “write your own story and make sure it makes sense to you.” This has been a guiding principle for me during my time at IMHI.

AAIMHI: Besides the academic degree, which are the soft skills you believe are particularly important today?

Louis-Henri: In my opinion, communication is a crucial soft skill that everyone should possess. The ability to effectively convey ideas is not limited to just verbal communication, but also involves non-verbal cues and can vary greatly depending on the context. In order to communicate successfully, it is important to adapt to the cultural norms and audience size, as well as having an understanding of the background and experiences of the person you are communicating with.

To become a skilled communicator, one must start by being humble and willing to adjust their speech to better suit their audience. It is important to remember that even the best ideas are rendered useless if they cannot be effectively pitched to others. Similarly, investing in stocks is only valuable if you know when to sell. Therefore, it is important to continuously work on improving communication skills to increase the chances of success in both personal and professional endeavors.

AAIMHI: Do you believe the alumni association AAIMHI, the IMHI network, is important?

Louis-Henri: I think AIMHI is extremely important. 

It complements the sense of belonging that we have as IMHI alumni and creates support for the new IMHI students. In the past, I’ve written to plenty of IMHI alumni with questions and requests for recommendations. Today I’m getting messages from the younger generation and I always try to get out of my way to answer, help or redirect them as best I can. 

I trust that all IMHIs do the same as this is undoubtedly among the biggest perks that the family has to offer. 

AAIMHI: What are your next steps?

Louis-Henri: After much needed self introspection, I’ve realized that I needed to add an “artistic” dimension to my work life. 

I’ve always been sensitive to interiors, items and detail and wanted to be apart of the creation of unique spaces and experiences. I chose to join the Paris Society group as an OS&E project manager, I’m eager to see where this new adventure is going to take me in the future.

AAIMHI: We wish you all the best for your next steps Louis-Henri!