Share & Create: Find your next creative experience in Luxembourg

Meet Elise Guerin, founder of Share & Create, a new platform that makes it easy to discover creative workshops, from seasonal cooking to watercolour painting.

Interview by Kasia Krzyzanowski

*Elise Guerin, Founder of Share & Create. Photo by “Oh les Coeurs“*

What is Share & Create in one sentence?

A platform where you can book all kinds of creative workshops with local professionals.

Where did the idea come from and what motivated you to launch it?

I am very passionate about always trying new things when it comes to creativity. One day, a colleague of mine took me to an "art & wine" workshop at Exposed Lifestyle Studio and I found it so amazing that I was thinking everybody should know more and participate in those kinds of events. Somehow I found it difficult to find information about more workshops happening in Luxembourg. I knew this business model existed in other countries so I decided to give it a try! I think it’s important to know more about our local professionals and to support them. I also find this format to be a very good way to socialise and escape a bit from your day to day life. Allowing yourself to take time to be creative and discover new things is essential.

What is your background? Has this helped you in launching your business?

I have a masters degree in communication for companies. Most of my work experience was with Amazon organising a lot of different types of events (recruitment, employee benefits, etc.) I learned how to multi-task, which helps a lot when you create your company on your own, and to be attentive to the customer experience. Technologies, trends and marketing evolve so fast that it's important for me to keep learning. I need to keep an eye out there to match my clients' desires and way of communicating.

What is your long-term vision for Share & Create?

That is a good question! I’m aiming for Share & Create to become the ‘go-to’ platform for workshops and experiences with two community experiences:

for artisans to share know-how, tips and recommendations
for participants to meet and inspire each other, as meeting new friends can be hard when you’ve just arrived in Luxembourg

Who is your ideal customer?

A multi-passionate person! Lots of people wouldn’t dare to embark on a creative career, as we are still in a society that undervalues manual work, so I would say my ideal customer is someone who wants to be creative but doesn't necessarily know what to do or where to start. It can also be someone who has just arrived in Luxembourg and would like to meet local professionals and new people outside of work.

Share & Create features many workshops that are focused on sustainability, such as zero-waste cosmetics or cooking with seasonal vegetables. Was this focus intentional?

To be honest not necessarily, but I have the feeling it’s part of the ‘new wave’: more and more people/entrepreneurs are taking responsibility for their actions and how they do business, with sustainability at the heart of all discussions. It is really nice to witness this and I am very grateful to bring together these beautiful creators/companies.

What other types of workshops would you like to offer in the future?

I would love to have a ceramic workshop (teaser: something should happen in September in that regard!), but also jewelry making, macramé or even more atypical ones you wouldn't believe exist in Luxembourg.

Also, I want to develop the concept of team building workshops because, in my opinion, companies need to offer better experiences for their employees. The combo of ‘bowling+pizza+swag made in China’ doesn't work anymore. To build solid relationships companies need to offer something unique with strong added value, by thinking outside the box and creating a real experience.

*TERRA Cooking class with Chef Stéphane, photo by Michèle Conrad Betz*

How can creators have their workshop included on Share & Create?

Easy, they just have to contact me at hello@shareandcreate.lu and I would be happy to discuss their needs and what we can offer together on the platform. They decide their price, as well as when and how they want to do it. I’m always looking for new workshops to join the adventure!

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