On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Letzshop.lu is shining a spotlight on the female entrepreneurs in Luxembourg who keep local commerce thriving.
They are passionate, ambitious, and resilient. However, the path of entrepreneurship is often filled with challenges—especially for women. In this article, we give the floor to five female entrepreneurs from Letzshop who share their experiences, challenges, and tips for success.
Discover the inspiring stories of Alexandra Kahn, Lola Valerius, Patrice Parisotto, Sophia Rein, and Tess Burton.
From Passion to Entrepreneurship: Inspiring Stories
Passionate about craftsmanship and gastronomy, Alexandra Kahn took over the Chocolaterie Genaveh seven years ago, transforming this small business into a key player in Luxembourg’s chocolate scene. Her team has grown from five to twenty people, and her goal is clear: to offer exceptional chocolates that honor traditional craftsmanship. She places great emphasis on high-quality ingredients and creates exquisite collections that blend tradition with modernity.
“The idea of shaping a company according to my vision, conveying values and a mission—that is what excites me the most.”
Originally an architect, Lola Valerius decided to follow her passion for chocolate, making a bold career shift. After training in pâtisserie, she opened her own chocolaterie in Esch-sur-Alzette in 2021, where she offers handcrafted and innovative creations. Her colorful and flavor-packed chocolate collections are renewed twice a year to provide a unique taste experience.
After an international career in goldsmithing, Patrice Parisotto decided to open her own atelier in Luxembourg: Patrice Parisotto Design, where she creates bespoke jewelry. Each of her pieces is the result of a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. Her journey took her across Europe and the USA, where she perfected her craft before returning to her home country.
“Owning my own boutique allows me to merge tradition with modern design—while staying true to my artistic vision.”
Sophia Rein, a painter and photographer, has found the perfect place in Luxembourg to develop her concept of personalized photo-painting. Her work focuses on transforming photographs into unique artworks, tailored for both individuals and businesses. Her goal is clear:
Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Tess Burton runs Boutique Eicatcher, located in the heart of Grevenmacher. Born from her passion for design and unique objects, her shop offers a carefully curated selection of decor items, gifts, and creations under her own brand, coupsdecoeur.
🚀 The Challenges of Female Entrepreneurship
Starting and running a business is an exciting adventure, but it also comes with constant challenges. Every female entrepreneur faces obstacles. If entrepreneurship is a journey, it is one filled with hurdles. Jewelry designer Patrice Parisotto had to navigate the challenges of the luxury industry. One of her biggest struggles was finding the perfect location for her boutique:
Others had to learn how to balance their professional and personal lives. Sophia Rein, who raised her daughters while developing her artistic career, admits that this challenge is a daily balancing act:
For some, an additional hurdle came into play: gender bias. In certain industries still dominated by men, establishing oneself as a female entrepreneur can be a real challenge. Lola Valerius, who changed her career path to open her own chocolaterie, felt this from the very beginning:
The same was true for Patrice Parisotto, who had to establish herself in an industry where recognition for women can still be a struggle:
Even though Alexandra Kahn does not feel particular obstacles as a woman in her industry, she acknowledges that certain challenges can still be more burdensome for female entrepreneurs:
These experiences illustrate that women in entrepreneurship often have to put in twice the effort to legitimize themselves and prove that their competence and ambition are just as strong as those of their male counterparts. However, rather than being an obstacle, this challenge becomes a source of motivation—driving them to go even further and inspiring other women to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
đź’ˇ E-Commerce: An Opportunity for Women?
In the digital age, online commerce has proven to be a powerful tool for female entrepreneurs. It offers flexibility, visibility, and access to a broader customer base. For women who need to balance work and personal life, e-commerce presents a unique opportunity to grow their business at their own pace while bypassing some of the challenges of traditional sales models.
Lola Valerius sees e-commerce as an opportunity to refine her storytelling and build a direct connection with her customers:
For artisanal and creative industries, the ability to showcase their expertise through platforms like Letzshop.lu is essential. Patrice Parisotto is convinced that e-commerce helps her make the quality and authenticity of her creations accessible to a wider audience:
Everyone agrees that e-commerce will continue to grow and become a cornerstone of entrepreneurship—especially for women. Whether for brand development, diversifying sales channels, or strengthening storytelling, online commerce offers endless opportunities for those who dare to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
🎉 International Women’s Day: Celebrating Courage and Innovation
For Tess Burton, this day is above all a platform to raise awareness of the inequalities that still persist:
A sentiment shared by Patrice Parisotto, who emphasizes the importance of continuing to encourage women to claim their place in the business world, despite the deeply rooted stereotypes that still persist:
For Sophia Rein, this day is not only significant in a professional context but also an opportunity to discuss the evolution of women’s rights throughout history with her family:
Some female entrepreneurs have chosen to turn this day into a concrete commitment. Alexandra Kahn is one of them—she has used this occasion to launch a solidarity initiative:
As an entrepreneur, Lola Valerius also sees this day as an opportunity to recognize the privilege of being able to pursue her profession freely:
All these female entrepreneurs agree on one key point: March 8th should not only be a day of celebration but, above all, a collective commitment to a future where equality is a lived reality. They hope that the visibility women in entrepreneurship receive on this day will inspire others to take the leap, believe in their own potential—without barriers or limitations.
📢 Support Female Entrepreneurs on Letzshop!
Women in entrepreneurship are a driving force, shaping the local economy and inspiring future generations. Through their experiences, these female entrepreneurs demonstrate that passion, resilience, and innovation are the keys to success—despite the challenges they face. Each journey is unique, yet they all share the same goal: to create, innovate, and advance commerce with courage and determination.
Supporting these entrepreneurs means fostering a more human-centered and equitable marketplace. By shopping locally and valuing their work, we actively contribute to this positive change.
At Letzshop.lu, we are proud to shine a spotlight on these inspiring women who contribute daily to the growth of Luxembourg’s commerce. Discover these remarkable entrepreneurs and many more on Letzshop.lu—and let’s work together for a future where every woman can pursue entrepreneurship freely and independently!
