Entrepreneur Vanessa Branson Talks About Her Love For Arts & Culture!

 

We recently got the wonderful opportunity to talk to the Top Entrepreneur Vanessa Branson, sister of Richard Branson and the co-owner of Eilean Shona.

She is also a founder of Marrakech Biennale. Vanessa Branson is a champion of global cultural and ecological initiatives. As President and Founder of the Marrakech Biennale (formerly AIM Biennale) she is responsible for North Africa’s only trilingual arts festival, an event now entering its 6th edition – comprising visual art, literature and film programs featuring acclaimed international and Moroccan artists. In October 2014, she was awarded the Royal distinction of Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, at the occasion of the ceremony inaugurating he Mohammed VI Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat.

Get her entrepreneurial insights as Vanessa Branson catches up with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

In the cultural realm, you are a widely respected entrepreneur. In 1986, you founded the Vanessa Devereux Gallery in London, then went on to revamp one of Marrakech’s crumbling palaces into a luxury hotel, El Fenn, in 2002. Further, you founded North Africa’s only trilingual arts festival, the Marrakech Biennale of Contemporary Art, in 2005. Walk us through your incredible journey so far.

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

Ah well, in truth, being dyslexic and not all academic set the tone for my working life. I couldn’t get the qualifications to work for others so I had to become an entrepreneur. Love has also been a great driver, not just romantic love (although that could be a chapter in itself) but making connections with people who have encouraged and influenced me along the way. My first introduction to art was hitchhiking through Italy with a friend who was studying History of Art at Cambridge. I found him and the art and buildings he was introducing me too beyond beautiful! From then on I knew the power of the arts to transform how we look at the world.

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Introduce us to a day in your multi-dimensional life.

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

My working days are influenced very much by where I am. London is where I sit behind my computer for 3 days a week, the other days I try to get out, to see exhibitions and friends. I have an island in Scotland, Eilean Shona, where we are developing a nature reserve, artists residency,  guest retreat programme. Being there involves more interior designing and yomping between the cottages, liaising with the team and learning about tree management. In Marrakech, where I have a hotel called El Fenn, I obviously have to try out the new spa treatments and menus, that’s a tough call!  I also have meetings with the new President of the Marrakech Biennale, an arts festival I started over ten years ago now, as well as up and coming artists. I’ve stepped down from the day to day running of the show but am still very much involved.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine which you may wish to share?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

Being fit is incredibly important to me. I do a 5 minute yoga stretch every morning. 5 minutes means you never have an excuse not to do it. I have a dog, the secret weapon for all those wanting to keep active. She simply doesn’t let me off the morning walk, a 45 minute circuit around the Wormwood Scrubs, a huge windswept park in West London. I’m often asked to meet people for a cup of coffee to help with their careers etc. I always suggest they join me on the walk – a happy way to multi-task. Apart from that I try to take the tube in London, meaning that I usually do over 10K steps per day. In Morocco I swim.  The secret to a good swim workout is good earplugs, hat and goggles. And then I hike, proper hiking over hills for a couple of holidays per year. My top tip for health and well-being is to never, ever weigh yourself!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

I don’t have a special diet but I try to eat fresh and locally produced food whenever possible. Luckily I don’t have a sweet tooth and I love vegetables. I am happy without meat but will eat it if offered. I firmly believe that if you keep fit you can drink as much as feels comfortable…as long as its for pleasure not to self medicate!

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You co-run a private island on the west coast of Scotland, called Eilean Shona. The island is famed for being the inspiration for Scottish author J.M. Barrie’s famed fairy tale Peter Pan. Share with us your Top 5 Favorite things about the island.

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

1. Its raw beauty
2. Pristine wilderness, with never a sight of a bit of plastic
3. The variety of the wildlife
4. The endless days without disruption, the time they give you to be creative, to paint, write and think.
5. The spectacular locally produced food. Cooking mussles on the beach while quaffing chilled Chablis….

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

In October 2014, you were awarded the Royal distinction of Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, in recognition of the contribution you have made to the Moroccan cultural scene. How does it feel when you are rewarded for all the hard work that you put in and when people appreciate your work?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

When I received the invitation from the King’s office I was not aware of it’s full meaning or importance. Attending the ceremony, I realized what an honor it was and I am really grateful. I have worked really very, very hard on developing the Moroccan cultural scene for the past ten years. It is immensely gratifying seeing that the genie is out of the bottle, magic is happening in the country, the young creatives are finding an audience. I’m loving watching it grow and seeing things develop.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

As President and Founder of the Marrakech Biennale, you are responsible for North Africa’s only trilingual arts festival, an event now entering its 7th edition – comprising visual art, literature and film programs featuring acclaimed international and Moroccan artists. Share with us your love for art and literature.

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

As I said before, I have long been aware of the role of the arts as a force for good. They provide a safe place in which to discuss contentious ideas, they teach people the language of criticality, they help form a positive identity, they stimulate creativity. Creativity drives innovation and innovation drives the economy. What’s not to like?

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Tell us about your Top 5 Career Tips For Entrepreneurs.

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

1. Take pleasure in what you do
2. Surround yourself with energetic and intelligent people
3. Make decisions and see things through
4. Embed social responsibility into your projects from the onset
5. Don’t do anything you won’t be proud of.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Considering your love for arts, tell us about your 5 Favorite Masterpieces from around the world that you absolutely love!

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

1. Slaves by Michaelangelo, the Academia, Florence
2. The Boy Soldiers by Guy Tillims, hanging at El Fenn, Marrakech
3. Any animated film by William Kentridge
4. The Dancers by Matisse in the Hermitage
5. The Assisi Crucifixion by Cimabue in Florence

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Ms. Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding entrepreneurs, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in this field?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

Oh Lord – I’m not sure. I think I’ve covered this with my tips but I would like to add that it’s enriching to have good mentors and to try to make wise decisions by thinking in decades rather than years.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

You have been associated actively with many charities, that are dear to your heart, tell us how have you been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of yours?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

I remember saying to my father that I was worried that I wasn’t doing enough to give back…this was when I was in my 30’s. He chuckled and said that this wasn’t the right decade to be thinking along these lines and my time would come. How right he was. You spend your twenties building up your career, your thirties raising little kids and forties launching them off. It was only in my fifties that I hit form. You have experience to offer and, in my case and I’m sure many others, you have the infrastructure to really make a difference. Having El Fenn in Marrakech has giving me a launch pad for the Biennale and a number of other initiatives that we support. With Shona, we have a haven where we can develop the arts and nature programme. With my connections and business experience, I can bring something effective to both entrepreneurial and charitable boards.

Ms. Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?

Ms. Vanessa Branson:

I really appreciate the focus on staying fit rather than on losing weight on your beautiful site.

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