What is the best thing that I love about my work? There is so many things that I love about my work as interior designer. The first will be the process of creation, questioning, finding new solution, experimenting, push the limits. But a big part of my job is relationship with people, client, suppliers, collaborators, business partners, employees. I am convinced that creativity is growing through sharing and exchanging ideas with people.
What is my idea of happiness? I want my dreams to become true. I want my designer skills to change the construction industry, to change the way we live, to be respectful toward our precious environment and to have only positive impact to our society. The real happiness it is a balance between personal and professional life. And if tomorrow I succeed to create all my project to be beneficial for the wellbeing of other that will be amazing.
What is my greatest fear? Not having enough time to do everything I want to do to reach my goal.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? I am too direct and lack of diplomacy. I am working on it.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? I never been specially a fan of anyone. I take inspiration from all people around me. All the people that I worked for and with during my career are for me a great inspiration. They taught me so much and I enjoyed all my professional experience in France and in UK.
What is my greatest extravagance? I have a loud laugh and I love it, but I know that it can be embarrassing for the people around me.
On what occasion would I lie? I don’t lie…. Oups that is a lie. I probably do lie when I am wrong.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The waste that my industry produces and the hyper consumption.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I have started my own business with my two partners and tough that it will be easy. It was a great exiting moment, we had so many other great moments after that too.
If I could, what would I change about myself? My permanent research to the perfection, whereas I am far far away to be.
What is my greatest achievement in work? When I succeed to produce a fully sustainable project and that the client and users are happy about the result.
Where would I most like to live? Good question. I’m currently living London, a city that I love but I always see myself somewhere else. I would love to visit so many places and being connected to all my friends and family living in France. For a long time, I thought I could live anywhere, now I know I could live anywhere with the right person around me.
What is my most treasured possession? My family and friends
What is my most marked characteristic? Impulsion
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? A community garden where I’m volunteering. All the volunteers inspire me and bring me back to reality and to the essential.
What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city? My kitchen where my partner does the best food in town.
What books influenced my life and how? The Hidden Dimension by Edward T. Hall. It’ s a book that helps me to understand the power of my work and confirm my decision to become interior designer. I will recommend it to everyone.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? It might be a bit dramatic and cliche, but I like Edith Piaf “Non, je ne regrette rien”.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Master Yoda, smart, wise, funny, humble, and calm. I would like to be like him but without his complexion. Green never really suits me.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My parents. For a long time, I did believe that nothing could happen to me if I was with my parents, that if I had the approval of my parents everything will be alright. And even if I know now that is not strictly true, I do like lying (this is where I’m lying to refer to a previous questions) to myself to carry on believing it.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Alice in wonderland. I used to love it when I was a kid and I still love it.
What role plays art in my life and work? Art it is definitely link with my work even if I will never have the pretention to be an artist. Art inspires me in my day to day life to develop my design.
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? I will say yes and no. Yes of course you choose your life and make your own decisions. But like will say Aristotle “Man is by nature a social animal”. I’m not existing thanks to me, I’m existing thanks to the other without the other I couldn’t write my story, and no one will be there to read it.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My family. They are probably not the best fan, but they believe in me, encourage, and support me in any project I want to do.
Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2020? City of London, The Student Hotel, Joe and Joe (Accor), This is gravity, Greenpeace, The design Council
What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on? I’m looking forward to starting our new project of hotel. Because we have been selected out of few studios because we are specialized in sustainability. It is brilliant to finally get a client that cares about sustainability and trust us to help to achieve the best result.
Where can you see me or my work in 2020? You will be able to see our work in Switzerland, in UK and hopefully in France.
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I have a slightly divided opinion about that. I do believe passion is a great power that develop my creativity. But it is also sometime overwhelming. So, I do think it is important to some time to time take a step back and temporize this emotion.
Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Mercedes Picazo, Bibiana Farenzena, Jane Johnson, Anthea Masey, Johanna Gillmour, Migle Pikelyte
How can you contact me? ophelia@upcircle .co.uk, www.upcircle.co.uk
Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey
Are you a creative leader or creative professional looking to develop your business skills and storytelling?
Amidst today’s uncertainty, it is more important than ever to reconnect with yourself and others, develop your creative business, and build your story. Dive deep into your unique business style and areas for growth with the coaching of Peter de Kuster.
IS THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY COACHING FOR YOU?
You are a creative leader or creative professional who is interested in developing yourself, your business, and your story.
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You are aware that there are no quick fixes. Learning is a journey that works when you are fully committed to it. Coaching can bring awareness and help you navigate, but in the end it’s you who is in charge of your growth.
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You want to learn more about how to resource yourself, learn about blind spots, and get feedback.
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You are curious and want to engage in online learning.
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You are motivated to work in-between sessions on yourself (e.g. working on homework assignments that will help you develop new storytelling, skills, and behaviors).
WHAT’S YOUR COACHING QUESTION?
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is all about your development. To make the most out of your sessions, we ask you to prepare topics to work on with Peter. These topics can serve as a starting point for further in-depth exploration with Peter.
These coaching topics typically resonate with the creative leaders Peter works with:
How can i tell the most powerful story possible about myself and my creative business?
How can I handle self promotion and marketing of my creative business better?
How do can I stay authentic and with focus when having difficult conversations with potential clients?
What are my creative values and how do I align these with my business values?
How can I manage my time and energy better?
How can I radiate confidence to my clients while feeling anxious inside?
How can I steer myself towards creative excellence without becoming rigid?
About Peter de Kuster
Peter de Kuster is the founder of The Heroine’s Journey & Hero’s Journey project, a storytelling firm which helps creative professionals to create careers and lives based on whatever story is most integral to their lives and careers (values, traits, skills and experiences). Peter’s approach combines in-depth storytelling and marketing expertise, and for over 20 years clients have found it effective with a wide range of creative business issues.
Peter is writer of the series The Heroine’s Journey and Hero’s Journey books, he has an MBA in Marketing, MBA in Financial Economics and graduated at university in Sociology and Communication Sciences.
PRICING
The Heroine’s Journey Coaching online sessions last 50 minutes and the fee is Euro 189 excluding VAT per session. The Heroine’s Journey Coaching is suitable for people at any stage in their career.
FAQ
Who can sign up for The Heroine’s Journey online coaching?
Creative leaders and creative professionals who wish to improve their business story and develop their business skills and mindset.
Should I choose 1:1 coaching?
Our The Heroine’s Journey experiences in world cities allow you to learn not only from the coach but also from your peers. For the small group coaching (1 – 4 people), we have selected important, relevant topics that we find regularly come up for creative professional: purpose, storytelling, creative confidence, self promotion, time & money and resilience.
If you would prefer to work alone or on a different topic, individual coaching is a better fit for you.
What language do we speak in the coaching sessions?
English.
Can I buy coaching for my organization?
Yes, you can! We support many organizations around the world with their coaching needs. Please contact us for more information.
Can I bring my own topics?
Yes, for individual coaching you get to choose your own topic.
Are coaching sessions confidential?
Yes. Peter will not share anything that is discussed in the coaching sessions.
Where will the coaching sessions take place?
Sessions will take place online (as per the times we live in) via an online tool like Zoom or Skype. Peter will let you know.
How do I sign up?
Send Peter a mail to theherojourneyquestionnaires@gmail.com to start booking your coaching sessions.
How do I pay?
After you send the mail, you will receive an email with a link to pay.
How do I book and reschedule sessions?
Once we’ve received your payment, Peter will contact you and book your coaching sessions. He will also support you with rescheduling sessions if needed.
What is your cancellation policy?
Individual coaching sessions can be postponed up to one week before the session.
The Heroine's Journey 