When it comes to business, all are not created equal, and the same can be said for their founders. _Flaunt_ sat down with serial entrepreneur Jean Christophe Chopin to discuss his path to [Born's](https://born.com/?c=US) design technology solution Alkeon and building a market network. The Alkeon market network is already being used by famed Parisian fashion trade show Tranoi to create a digital trade show experience, while using machine learning and data sets to empower brands and buyers alike.
With Born/Alkeon as a follow up to his success as the co founder of E\*Trade Europe and Veri-sign, Chopin still manages to find time to spend with his sons, hitting the slopes (he's an avid skier), and enjoying his deep roots in fashion, art, design, and of course wine. He’s French after all! Peep our interview below for insight into the future of digital consumerism and his deeply rooted past/passion in design.
**Why e-commerce?**
Ever since I became an entrepreneur, I worked in a digital space and there are two worlds that have existed since the beginning. The first is advertising, where you feed content and bring valuable information. E-Trade, Veri-sign, and all of my different businesses were very much all related to the notion of the transaction. This included trust, security, and financial markets. I liked the product so much and loved the idea that through the process of commerce, you can own what makes you dream, what you desire, and what you can really enjoy. My business is more than e-commerce, which is why I like the term market-network. Born facilitates community, content (the story), and why a person wants to connect with the product. This coupled with the notion of transaction (commerce) helps the business to grow. I love this notion of discovery, connecting and ordering and then acquiring the product.
**What was your first job?**
My first serious job was as a ski instructor and a guide. I really enjoyed that, it included my passion, the mountains, and my ability to share that passion with other people. But my first ever job, I was actually 14 years old and I worked at a restaurant. I started as a dishwasher and I was pretty happy serving the patrons in the restaurant.
**Tell us about what led you to create Alkeon and Born?**
It began with my family and education. My great grandmother was the head seamstress as Dior, and my grandfather worked in interior design. They created and sold brands. I learned about the beauty of craftsmanship and the dedication of people that put so much love and authenticity into creating products. Born is very much related to a design led lifestyle associated with travel and commerce. I remember when I started the company 10 years ago, the process of the curation, gathering and bringing creators together. It was all about this creative journey. I wanted to build a home for creators. To combine this with a design-led lifestyle selection but also make a home that validates and values this amazing work of these creators.
Alkeon is the B2B of Born. We have built over the years the ideal market-network; the place where you can discover, connect and acquire. We realized that brands and buyers needed complimentary tools that exist. Trade shows must exist because they allow humans to get together and exchange ideas. Alkeon brings our service, solution, expertise and our products to different players and professionals such as trade shows. It's not so much about digitizing the trade show but about managing the submission, connecting brands and buyers so they can connect with the new products / collections and eventually place an order. Digital isn’t like physical but I do believe if you can combine the two, you can really have that 365 days of valuable experience with highlights of the human gathering element of the trade show.
**What are some items/people in your design led lifestyle that inspire you?**
What truly inspires me is the creative journey. Selecting products that are made with a purpose. If they’re made with a purpose, then they are good for us. A product made with integrity facilitates me. Functionality is also important. When you buy a product, it has to do what it is supposed to do. If it's a coffee machine, it has to make a good coffee. If it's a watch, it has to be on time. I had the chance to meet some remarkable people from well-known brands to unknown brands. The twinkle in their eyes, the dedication and the passion is what truly inspires me.
**Your maternal great- grandmother was a head seamstress at Christian Dior. How has that affected your passion for design and impacted your view on luxury?**
All of what she represented and also my parents have impacted my view on luxury. My dad’s a prominent yet very humble surgeon. He’s a creator in his own way because he has created implants that have impacted new ways to perform complicated orthopedic surgery. He was also a saxophonist. I have been gifted by the fact that all members in my family were truly dedicated by this notion of creating. My family works closely with Born, we’re all influenced at all times and levels throughout life.
**In your spare time, what are some of your hobbies?**
First I have always loved to travel. It’s been an enormous source of inspiration to look at different cultures and at different ways to face different problems, that includes food and wine. Secondly, I love sports. I was lucky enough to ski at a high level. I love mountain climbing and lots of free riding with an amazing mountain guide, which we traveled a lot with from Greenland to America.
**Who’d be invited dead or alive to your ideal dinner party and why?**
The ideal dinner party is an easy one. My grandfather used to always say that if it's not to have good food, great wine, and a good discussion that could be conversational, why do we sit at a table? A few creators that can be talkative with a mix of designers: a fashion designer, car designer, watch designer, furniture designer. I like when you have a good journalist present because a great journalist has that capacity to be curious, to comment and observe. They always facilitate a good discussion. A good chef, close friends and family to bring warmth to the dinner party. Of course good music, that’s very important.
**Who do you look up to?**
I look up to people who are generous. Those who contribute, who like to have fun, and who want to make work what they do. This doesn’t have to relate to money. I look up to my children.
**Favorite travel destination?**
The mountains. When I arrive in the mountains whether it’s in America or the Alps, I love the majestic strength. I love the altitude and that it’s hard to climb. I love the idea that it's hard to get to the full view and represents youth and freedom to me. I do love the sea too, don't get me wrong but it's not the same power or emotion that I feel when I'm in the mountains.
**Motto you live by?**
Challenge yourself.
**New Year's Resolutions for 2021?**
Accept and be grateful for all of the great things we have. I know it sounds a little bit strange to say that now but spend a bit more time and enjoy the simple things. Hopefully to still work a lot because I love it and spend more time with my loved ones.
