I’ve recently picked up The Gospel According to Coco Chanel: Life Lessons from the World’s Most Elegant Woman by Karen Karbo. Boy, was I happy that I did!

1. It served as a great reading material and inspiration on the twelve-hour ride to Winnipeg.

2. The book is very light and easy to read with each page drawing you in more and more.

3. I loved how every chapter explored Coco’s take on a range of universal themes such as style, self-invention, fearlessness, success, money, femininity, elegance and many more.

So what did I learn from Chanel?

Well, I should first mention that while she is mostly thought of as a fashion icon, I think of her as a visionary and a brilliant marketer who knew what women wanted and how to deliver it.

With that in mind, here are ten tips to success that I learned from Coco:

1. Believe in yourself. If you don’t, nobody else will. It’s what will drive you to success.

2. “How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.” Coco Chanel.

3. Make the most of what you have. It is about right now, right here.

4. Reclaim dead time. Coco’s philosophy: “There is time for work, and time for love. That leaves no other time.” Perhaps on the extreme, but we’ve all been caught aimlessly browsing the Internet just to kill time.

5. Ask for help when you need it. Know your strengths, but more importantly your weaknesses. Dressmaking skills were not Coco’s strong suit and that’s why she hired other women to help her.

6. “Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” Coco Chanel. Embrace the moment and make your move before you think you’re ready.

7. Understand your clients’ needs and desires… and show them how to fulfill them.  

8. Surround yourself with people outside your industry and be fun to be with. Widen your horizon and allow yourself to be carried away by what you discover.

9. Count your blessings and give back.

10. Redefine the concept of money by liking making it. There is plenty for everyone, don’t hold back.

Mille bisous!