Holding the Rein of Tenacity, Fearlessness and Exuberance
“Journalism is the first rough draft of history”
Grahm that embodies the essence and importance of journalism. Florence Amalou found a passion for journalism from a young age and has absorbed all the spectrum of light from the prism of journalism and started her new venture ‘Horse Republic’ which propelled her to follow her ardour for riding and horses. Having won numerous awards for her abilities she has proven herself to be a woman of substance.
Born in Canada to French parents, with her family constantly on the go, she quickly adapted to this lifestyle. Not an easy situation for a young child to move around so much, she turned this into a magnitude of experience where she encountered new cultures, people, cuisines and languages. Finally, she moved to Paris from London and worked as a journalist in the renowned French daily newspaper called Le Monde for 11 years.
Having started the Horse Republic when she was 50 years old, she felt it was a wonderful challenge that made her feel extraordinarily alive. To operate with a new generation, she had to constantly learn and unlearn, but being an established journalist for many years made her fearless to take on any challenges. She says, “ I am not easily afraid and I believe that there is always a solution to a problem: you have to look for it, doubt it, and accept to question yourself very often, without stopping to trust yourself. It is an enriching balancing act. You can achieve anything you dream of this way.”
Florence shares her strengths and provides a learning playground for others by stating, “I believe that strength, also as a professional, is to be interested in others, to be willing to go and meet them to get to know them better. Without ever judging them, nor being afraid of being judged yourself. Kindness is also a quality that is not fashionable in Europe and in the business world in general.
To me, kindness is a quality which does not make you less efficient.”
She candidly discusses her life as a journalist when she worked in countries like Afghanistan where women do not even have the basic rights to express themselves. She also met women in Africa and Asia where even a gesture or word meant risking their lives. Even in countries like France the issue of equal rights still persists somehow in the business world. She feels that with the younger generation, this subject has taken a faster route.
Florence has been instrumental in empowering the women of her organization by being a solid mentor and aiding them to gain self*confidence and giving them the freedom to express their point of view with stern authority. In her field of work, she believes that in her mobile application that is modernizing horseback riding, women are at the forefront hoisting the flag by being more creative, hardworking and persistent.
Florence has been instrumental in empowering the women of her organization by being a solid mentor and aiding them to gain self-confidence and giving them the freedom to express their point of view with stern authority. In her field of work, she believes that in her mobile application that is modernizing horseback riding, women are at the forefront hoisting the flag by being more creative, hardworking and persistent.
In the end, Florence feels that it all boils down to her being a passionate person which has been a driving force in her life. Horse Republic is a reflection of that same innate passion along with her tenacious professional experience of being a journalist. She exclaims, “You never feel like you’re working when you’re not counting your hours or your efforts.”
She feels grateful to have a supporting and loving family. Her husband even agreed to look after the management of the house and sidestepped professionally, so she could focus all her energy on her project. Her family has accepted that being a journalist has its own hardships since it occupies every minute of her life. Though her love for the profession made her feel like she wasn’t even working.
In her spare time, one can find Florence in her stables tending to her horse Quelano Tame, with whom she participates in jumping competitions. This moment is the most joyous for her as she feels pure bliss by being in nature and being connected to her horse.
With her heart set out to live a life on her own terms and always following her passion, Florence is a woman of firm grit and vigour.
