Digital elegance at the service of wine: a BSB graduate who shines

Maëva Lafont (BSB'20) makes the wine world shine with her communication agency Chais Maëva

Selected by Madame Figaro Provence Among the 20 women business leaders who are making the region shine, Maëva Lafont (BSB'20) perfectly embodies this new generation of daring entrepreneurs. Founder of the digital communication agency Chais Maëva, she combines passion for wine, creativity and aesthetic requirements to support wineries, wine shops and brands in their digital strategy.

A singular career, forged by passion

Since adolescence, Maëva has had a deep appetite for vines. After an agricultural baccalaureate and a BTS farm management, she continued her training at INSEEC Bordeaux, where she specialized in the marketing of wines and spirits. But a click occurs: “One day, a speaker came to talk to us about Burgundy... I said to myself: this is where I should go!”

Direction BSB, where she joined the Master Grande École before joining the MSc Wine Management. In the meantime, she experienced a significant gap year around wine in London: a stint at the trendy bar Vagabond Wines, then six months at the leading media Decanter. Experiences that open up the international horizon for him.

In Beaune, at the merchant DIVA, she also discovered the marketing and creative dimension of the sector, in particular through the launch of an arranged rum product. A first entrepreneurial seed that was just waiting to blossom.

When lockdown becomes a springboard

Like many young graduates, Maëva found herself hit by the Covid crisis in 2020. But rather than suffer the sudden cessation of the sector, it chooses to act: “It is not in my temperament to do nothing. I wanted to take something positive out of this period.”

Observing the sometimes hesitant communication of winemakers on social networks, she had the idea of launching her own agency. Chais Maëva was created in 2021, first with commented tastings posted online, then with a complete digital communication offer.

A clear and assertive positioning

Photos, videos, social networks, newsletters, brand strategy: the agency offers global support. But beyond the tools, it's the style that makes the difference. “I want to value know-how, tell stories, give meaning”, she summarizes.

Its positioning? Elegance, lifestyle and authenticity. Its varied customers range from wine and olive farms to traders and wine merchants, not to mention innovative startups such as Aveine, a connected wine aerator.

Based in Provence, Maëva focuses on proximity to local actors while already looking internationally, with Italy in the line of sight.

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The challenges of entrepreneurship

Like any business creator, she encountered her share of difficulties: “Administrative matters can be really complex. You have to go see experts, discuss, surround yourself well. That's half the job for me.”

Her advice to future entrepreneurs? Surround yourself well, persevere, and be resilient. Three key words that allowed him to transform his idea into a solid project.

A recognition that galvanizes

The selection by Madame Figaro Provence was a surprise as well as a source of pride: “It touched me a lot. It's rewarding and motivating, especially when you're doing business alone.” A spotlight that reinforces the visibility of his agency and confirms its growing impact in the sector.

A strong foothold at BSB

For Maëva, BSB remains a decisive step. She keeps a precious memory of the proximity to professionals who teach, of the international dimension of courses in English, and especially of network of friends and colleagues that has become a real family.

“The prices were concrete, rooted in the reality of the market. And the ties forged at BSB are still there today: we follow each other, we see each other again, we support each other.”

An internationally oriented future

Next step for Chais Maëva: expanding beyond borders and welcoming new collaborators to support the growth of the agency. “I want to continue to promote wine expertise and the art of living, while exploring other markets.”

An ambition that perfectly reflects the BSB spirit: audacity, openness and high standards.

Discover the world of Maëva: https://chais-maeva.com/