The French entrepreneur Annick Le Bihan has a solution to help prevent jetlag so you can travel more and explore the nature around the world without being dragged down by jetlag.
Annick Le Bihan lives close to the sea in a city called Brest, in the north-west part of France: the province Brittany. Brittany’s climate, landscapes and Celtic culture seem closer linked to places like Ireland than France. And just like the region where Annick grew up, she herself is maybe not typical French – but also Breton and a bit German. Annick Le Bihan and Happier Place founder Luci Westphal share German grandparents, their mothers were sisters.
Annick has two children, currently aged 22 and 19, whom she has taken on many adventures, including trips to where Happier Place started (Ft. Collins, Colorado) and where the headquarters are today (St. Petersburg, Florida). Everywhere she goes, her energy, sense of humor and pursuit of her dreams invigorates and inspires those around her.
After 20 years working in a bank, Annick created her first startup in 2016. With partner Sebastien and several friends, they developed a smart pool analyzer. They worked hard: fundraising, CES in Las Vegas, TV shows… But in 2020, they had to sell the company. This experience really gave Annick a taste for entrepreneurship. So she decided to start a new project, fully digital this time to avoid all the difficulties of a physical object: manufacturing, supply, delivery, storage. But even without that aspect, the work required is challenging and important. Annick’s response to all the work: “But I love it! What is certain is that it is today my passion and that I will be an entrepreneur all my life!”
Annick Le Bihan – what do you do?
Today, I have developed with the University Hospital of Brest (France), a solution based on chronobiology, which reduces the impact of jet lag on the traveler: Gowwiz. This solution is for travelers via a mobile application but it is also for hotels, travel agencies, airlines to support their customers.
Why this topic? I was afraid of flying for a very long time, but today it’s over and I love traveling. On the other hand, I don’t like jetlag. I am very sensitive to it and it can disturb me for a long time.
Today, I work with a doctor, a nutritionist and a yoga teacher, we give a lot of advice to travelers. To minimize their jetlag but also reduce travel fatigue.
I also support young startups who are just starting out to prevent them from making the same mistakes as us. I am very involved in their development and I try to save them time
Why do you do what you do?
Being an entrepreneur allows me to chase my dreams. I created my business so that it could fit with my personal goals: to meet bright people from all countries, to travel, to promote opportunities and seize them, to get out of my comfort zone, to be the master of my destiny, not depend on others, let my creativity express itself.
General Happier Place location?
My favorite place is by the sea. The beach, yes, but more than anything, I love the harbors. The boats that leave the harbor and go away. The cranes that unload the boats. I find these places that live 24 hours a day magical!
Specific Happier Place locations?
I walk every morning when the sun rises by the sea in Brest. The harbor and the beach are close together and this morning walk allows you to lay your head and get the day off to a good start!
What do you always bring out into nature with you?
I bring a bumbag to put my phone on and store flower seeds if I find any along the way.
Happier Place tips or hacks?
Look far and upward (avoid looking at your feet!), and when it rains, open your arms!
A dream destination?
I live in an area where it rains a lot. A lot. But really a lot. So my dream is to live in Florida!
Words of inspiration?
The light shines brighter for the eyes that seek it.
Confucius
Find Annick and Gowwiz online
LinkedIn: Annick Le Bihan
Website: gowwiz.com
Instagram: gowwiz_app
Facebook: Gowwiz
YouTube: gowwiz9559
Let’s Inspire Each Other
What are your experiences with jetlag? Any tips? Have you tried the Gowwiz app? How do you respond when you get caught outdoors in the rain? Have you been to Brittany?
What other thoughts were sparked by this interview? Do you have any questions for Annick?
Please leave a comment or question in the reply section below.
All photos are courtesy of Annick Le Bihan. All opinions and stated facts made by the interviewees are theirs, and don’t necessary reflect those of the people behind Happier Place (aka Luci and Scott).
