Interview with Catherine Barba embarking on a new challenge with Envi. After numerous entrepreneurial successes, such as selling Cashstore to Plebicom or Malinea to Veepee, and creating events promoting gender equality and diversity (La JFD in Paris, WIN Forum in the USA), along with a 5-year stint in New York, the digital pioneer continues her journey with passion, staying connected to emerging trends.

What has happened since our last interview?

I transitioned from the digital revolution to the work revolution. After two decades in digital, e-commerce, and retail transformation, creating three companies in these sectors, I ventured to the United States with my family. It was a childhood dream, and I wanted to explore the transformation of work and digital dynamics in the U.S. While the innovation wasn’t as groundbreaking as expected, I underwent a quantum leap in omnichannel and digital transformation skills (including diversity and inclusion topics). Returning to France two years ago, the next chapter of my entrepreneurial story unfolded—founding ENVI, the school for the future of work and independents.

What has profoundly changed?

I sense a deep yearning for change and new aspirations, especially a shift away from the traditional model of working for one company for 20 years. The COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns prompted many to reevaluate their work’s meaning, leading to a strong desire for autonomy, balance, and empowerment. This resulted in a surge in entrepreneurship, with nearly four million independents in France today. Adding “slashers” with diverse professional lives, the total likely reaches around ten million people. These independent talents represent a fantastic opportunity for companies, and seizing this opportunity is crucial to avoid falling behind.

Is this tied to technological advancements?

Certainly. Many solo entrepreneurs engage in service-oriented activities that require minimal financial or material resources. Selling expertise from anywhere with just a computer and a mobile phone, conducting meetings and prospecting through video conferences—technology significantly facilitates the creation and daily operations of these businesses. However, simplicity in creation doesn’t guarantee economic viability; the challenge is not just to create but to endure.

How has this altered communication and work methods?

Becoming independent changes everything! It’s sometimes a significant shock, observed in our ENVI clients (whom we call talents) seeking training to launch their independent careers. Departing from a familiar, structured, collective, and secure environment to embrace the unknown of independence can be exhilarating but demands adapting to a new reality. Especially for former managers, the shift from delegating tasks (“making others do”) to hands-on action (“doing”) is radical. Entrepreneurs have no choice but to be active, measure results, readjust, all while continuing to learn because knowledge quickly becomes obsolete. With strong motivation and the right support from a caring, stimulating community, success is achievable.

How has remote work affected employees’ conditions?

Remote work has indeed transformed working conditions. The challenge for companies today is, “How to create solid engagement when the company is a social entity beyond physical walls, hybrid with on-site and remote employees, and includes freelancers?” This equation is far from simple for leaders, managers, and HR teams—and for the teams themselves. Achieving profitability is crucial for any company, and a collection of individual actions doesn’t construct collective success without rules and rituals. Effective leadership requires providing a vision, showing the way, ensuring coherence, developing autonomy, and trust. While the notion of a liberated company is attractive, overly bureaucratic organizations with 50 layers of approval can be real turn-offs. The balancing act for leaders is managing authority and autonomy, especially in a hybrid context between full remote and office-based work.

How can companies manage this aspiration for change?

Some forward-thinking companies, like Mazars, not only permit but encourage their employees to have “side projects.” This multi-faceted approach meets the needs for security, stability, autonomy, and a search for meaning. Companies must adapt to a new reality where individual identity extends beyond a single job or company. Agility and openness to various activities have become essential assets for visionary companies.

Is there a new focus on communication within companies?

Yes, since 2018, the report by Nicole Notat and Jean-Dominique Senard emphasizes the need for companies to redefine their purpose and adopt a more authentic and transparent approach. Beyond growth and profit, companies must answer questions about their contribution to society, their values, environmental commitments, and how they promote employee development. This transparency has become a requirement, particularly influenced by younger generations expecting companies to align actions with words.

Is this a new challenge for companies?

What’s new for companies is acknowledging the shift in power dynamics. Employees now recognize that their value is equally significant as employers’. When someone joins our team at ENVI, I always think in terms of “culture add” rather than “culture fit.” I hope that the person not only aligns 100% with our DNA but also enriches, challenges, and brings a fresh perspective to our organization. I love when someone shakes up my way of doing things, altering my perspective on work and clients. At ENVI, we have a unique onboarding process, allowing new team members to be actively involved from the start. For instance, we gave them full control over creating our Instagram account, @_envischool. I would never have done something like that! We believe in co-construction. Every company, big or small, would benefit from this mindset. Surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals is counterproductive—frictions and differences breed innovation. Accepting disruption or, at the very least, embracing a different view on a supposedly well-mastered activity is crucial. Things are evolving rapidly! Being agile and open is easier for a new company like ENVI with less than a year of existence; we don’t carry the burden of legacy.

How does this translate into practice?

I also see large organizations with a forward-looking perspective on the Future of Work daring to experiment with unprecedented work practices to align company interests with those of their employees, creating lasting commitment. This involves new recruitment criteria, data utilization, and new AI-based tools. Finally, companies that will succeed are those that foster an entrepreneurial spirit at all levels. To become communities of movers and innovators within their frameworks, testing, daring, and challenging. To achieve this, collaboration with independents and freelancers is crucial, and offering training by entrepreneurs like ENVI is key.

What does ENVI offer today?

For companies, we develop training and coaching programs to inject an entrepreneurial spirit into managerial culture, aiming to help companies adapt more quickly and attract top talent. And it works! We also created the Do Tank, a club of large companies from various sectors experimenting with us on new Future of Work practices, especially successful collaboration with independents and freelancers. The topics are approached from a sharing and experimental angle, with an international dimension, making the Do Tank unique and effective. It’s a lot of fun too. Join us to explore and get ahead of tomorrow’s work!

For individuals, we’ve had unique programs for a year now to learn how to succeed as an independent, whether you’re starting or already on your own. These are collective online journeys, spanning 4 or 12 weeks, where you’ll know exactly what to do to be profitable, have a impactful and unique offering, build a strong network, and consistently find clients. Our strengths are our incredible network of mentors, all renowned entrepreneurs sharing their experience (check out the list on our website envischool.com!) and our tight-knit and supportive community. You may be solo