When Well-Being Becomes a Business Strategy: An Interview with Myriam Corbeil

In the entrepreneurial ecosystem, we talk about growth, financing and innovation. Much less is said about what really enables these ambitions to endure over time: the state of the people behind them. During our discussion as part of the Parapluie campaign, Myriam Corbeil - founder of Hôtel UNIQ and doctoral student in work psychology - brought this reality home in all its clarity: the mental health of the founder is not a detail, it's an organizational determinant.

The Entrepreneur as a System in Its Own Right

Myriam brings two perspectives to the table: that of an entrepreneur who has weathered seven years of ups and downs, and that of a researcher studying psychosocial risks in the workplace. The two perspectives complement each other. Entrepreneurs are a particularly vulnerable group, she explains. When a founder breaks down, the domino effect impacts the team, partners, family, and sometimes even the local economy in which the company operates.

The Power of a Break

At the heart of her approach lies a simple idea: to step away from everyday life. To step out of “emergency” mode and reconnect with an environment that soothes and brings clarity. This is the spirit behind Hôtel UNIQ, an eco-friendly glamping village designed as a place to step back, and behind the experiences she offers in the countryside: transformational tourism or a team retreat in nature.

What Parapluie Fixes

Myriam’s comments naturally align with Parapluie’s mission. We’re not talking about adding luxury to the entrepreneurial journey. We’re talking about providing a basic safety net so that the founder can continue to exist as a person, not just as a role.

Telemedicine, psychological support, support for families: simple yet fundamental measures. Actions that help us persevere over the long term, stay clear-headed, and remain present. This is strategy, not consolation.

A culture to nurture

The interview with Myriam opens up an essential space: one where we stop viewing well-being as something “to do when there’s time left over.” Sustainable entrepreneurship depends on the quality of life of the people who drive it.

Parapluie, along with everyone who contributes to it, helps us build this culture—a culture where caring for others is not a sign of weakness, but an act of responsibility.