This Entrepreneur Raised $86 Million To Make Your Holidays Unforgettable

Max Aniort’s journey from the west of France to building a global luxury travel platform is nothing short of a captivating odyssey. Born in Brittany, Max’s childhood unfolded in diverse locations – from Saudi Arabia to Greece, military school in Brittany, and a career spanning Hong Kong, London, New York, and back to Paris.

Max shares his unique multicultural perspective, the evolution of Le Collectionist, and the lessons learned along the way.

Listen to the full podcast episode and review the transcript here.

Embracing Multiculturalism

Max’s upbringing in various corners of the world, from the enchanting landscapes of Brittany to the bustling city life of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, instilled in him a rich multicultural experience. He recalls spending a lot of time on the island of Kinaros in the Dodecanese Islands of Greece.

Max did his business school in Paris before starting his career in finance and consulting. He confesses that returning to France initially left him feeling disconnected, but over time, he found a sense of belonging in Paris, where he now resides with his family.

This multicultural background shaped Max’s perspective on travel, emphasizing the importance of connecting with local people who possess invaluable knowledge about their surroundings.

He credits his experiences with consulting and exposure to the labor world with his success as an entrepreneur.

Max learned the art of problem-solving and the ability to grab really big problems, break them down into really small problems, and then tackle them one at a time. He developed several tools during his consultancy years and used them to create yearly, quarterly, monthly, and weekly roadmaps.

Max also learned to split responsibilities between people for different tasks for one project. His experiences with being an employee taught him the frustrations workers have and their expectations from the company where they work.

The Unlikely Entrepreneur

Max’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t driven by a burning passion but rather a pragmatic progression. A high-achieving student, he pursued studies at prestigious institutions, initially entering the finance and consulting sectors.

However, it was ten years ago that he co-founded Le Collectionist, a venture focused on revolutionizing the luxury property rental industry.

Drawing from his consulting background, Max emphasizes how problem-solving skills acquired in consulting have been instrumental in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Le Collectionist’s Genesis

The inception of Le Collectionist was rooted in Max’s intuition about a shift in the luxury property rental market. Observing a gap in the industry, particularly with owners of high-end properties shying away from mainstream platforms, Max saw an opportunity.

Starting with destinations like Deauville and Saint-Tropez, the company’s initial success prompted its first fundraising in 2015. From there, Le Collectionist evolved to offer not just rentals but a comprehensive range of luxury services, reshaping the landscape of the hospitality industry.

Business Model Evolution

Max sheds light on Le Collectionist’s revenue streams, primarily generated from property rentals, accounting for about 80% of the company’s income. The remaining 20% comes from consumer services, such as private chefs, yoga instructors, event organizers, and more.

As the company expanded, additional services like property transactions, consulting, and property management were integrated, creating a holistic approach to luxury travel.

Navigating Challenges and Strategic Shifts

Max reflects on the challenges faced in 2018 and the subsequent transformative year in 2019, where the company underwent a revamp. Adapting to market changes and focusing on efficiency, Le Collectionist navigated the complexities of the travel industry.

The unexpected alignment with the unique needs of travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated the company’s growth. As Max reveals, they entered into M&A deals to acquire a total of five sister companies, which now contribute 50% of the total revenues of the company.

Strategic Fundraising

With an estimated €80M to $86.5M raised to date, Max discusses the challenges and nuances of fundraising. He talks about finding it super hard to convince investors since theirs was a small company with a novel concept.

Max emphasizes the importance of aligning with the right investors and shares insights from the initial struggles of convincing investors during the early stages to the more transparent and pragmatic approach adopted in recent fundraising efforts.

Storytelling is everything which is something that Max Aniort was able to master. Being able to capture the essence of what you are doing in 15 to 20 slides is the key. For a winning deck, take a look at the pitch deck template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel (see it here) where the most critical slides are highlighted.

Remember to unlock the pitch deck template that is being used by founders around the world to raise millions below.

Vision for the Future

Max envisions Le Collectionist as the leading platform globally for renting luxury properties with integrated services.

Beyond property rentals, he foresees the company becoming a comprehensive travel partner, curating experiences for clients in various accommodations, hotels, private jets, and more, ensuring the best possible travel experience.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Reflecting on his journey, Max offers two pieces of advice. First, he underscores the significance of choosing the right partners, emphasizing the demanding nature of the entrepreneurial journey and the need for supportive relationships.

Second, he encourages entrepreneurs to be true to themselves, urging authenticity and self-trust, as entrepreneurship demands unwavering commitment.

Conclusion

Max Aniort’s interview unveils a tale of cultural diversity, entrepreneurial evolution, and strategic foresight. Le Collectionist’s journey, under Max’s leadership, exemplifies resilience and adaptability, positioning the company as a global leader in luxury travel.

As Max continues to chart new territories, his story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the business world.

Listen to the full podcast episode to know more, including:

• Max Aniort’s multicultural upbringing laid the foundation for Le Collectionist, a global luxury travel platform reshaping the industry.
• The evolution of Le Collectionist reflects Max’s pragmatic journey from being a high-achieving student to a strategic entrepreneur.
• The company’s genesis was rooted in Max’s intuition about a market shift, focusing on luxury property rentals and comprehensive services.
• Le Collectionist’s revenue model blends property rentals with a diverse range of consumer services, creating a holistic luxury travel experience.
• Navigating challenges in 2018 and strategically revamping in 2019, Le Collectionist accelerated its growth during the unique demands of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
• Max emphasizes the importance of choosing the right partners in fundraising, citing lessons learned from the challenges of early-stage investments.
• Max envisions Le Collectionist becoming the global leader in luxury travel, not just for property rentals but as a comprehensive travel partner curating diverse experiences.

SUBSCRIBE ON: