Every version of yourself is Every version of yourself is worth exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. exploring. There’s always another branch waiting to be born. – Jane Bertch

Michelle and Julia sit down with Jane Bertch, the inspiring founder of La Cuisine Paris and author of The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time. Jane shares her transformative journey from her roots in Chicago to building a successful business in Paris, a city she has called home for nearly 20 years. This conversation is packed with candid reflections on embracing courage, navigating uncertainty, and celebrating the simple joys that life has to offer.

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• The Power of Saying Yes: Jane reflects on the pivotal moment when she decided to move to Paris without overthinking the consequences. Her story highlights the power of trusting your intuition and taking leaps of faith, even when fear and uncertainty linger in the background.
  
  
• Courage and Curiosity: Jane talks about the importance of approaching life with childlike curiosity. She explains how adopting an open mindset and being willing to explore new experiences has helped her thrive in a foreign city and led to personal and professional growth.
  
  
• Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt: Michelle and Julia touch on the common struggle of imposter syndrome, and Jane offers an empowering perspective: it’s natural to feel a deficit in knowledge, but what matters is how you respond. She emphasizes gathering the right support, seeking out resources, and moving forward despite the doubts.
  
  
• Finding Strength in Transitions: Jane’s story is an inspiring example for anyone seeking change. She reinforces the idea that life is full of seasons—each with its own opportunities for growth. Her philosophy is clear: it’s never too late to discover new branches of who you are.
  

Jane Bertch is a native Chicagoan who has spent nearly 25 years living and working in Europe, with almost 20 years in Paris. She spent the first part of her French experience working in financial services for an American bank. In 2009, she founded La Cuisine Paris, a top-rated leisure cooking school in Paris.

Jane volunteers as a mentor, both formally and informally for the expat community, has lectured as a guest professor with International Educational Studies, ESSEC Business School, the University of Illinois, and works with many small entrepreneur groups to develop training and outreach programs.  

Jane’s inspiring and delicious memoir, The French Ingredient: Making A Life In Paris One Lesson At A Time, debuted in April 2024. 

Tune in to this episode for an inspiring discussion about courage, reinvention, and the joys of simple living. Subscribe, rate, and share Just Getting Better to help us spread messages of empowerment and growth.

CONNECT WITH JANE:

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• Website: janebertch.com , lacuisineparis.com
  
  
• Instagram: @janebertch @lacuisineparis
  

RESOURCES:

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• Jane Bertch’s memoir: The French Ingredient: Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time
  

Sponsored by Palm Bay International, Season 2 is all about celebrating growth—because getting better deserves to be acknowledged with a toast. Whether we’re having a good laugh or diving into deeper conversations, each Just Getting Better episode is filled with candid moments, practical insights, and relatable stories for women who know life only gets richer with time.