In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship, it's not often that one comes across a visionary who seamlessly blends passion with innovation. Maxime Barbier, the Co-Founder and CEO of Timeleft, is one such pioneer. In this episode of Bright Founders Talk, hosted by the international software company Temy, Maxime delves into the intricacies of his entrepreneurial journey and the ethos behind his latest venture.
Timeleft, born out of a desire to tackle urban loneliness, introduces a unique concept: connecting strangers through communal dining experiences based on personality matches. Maxime, a seasoned entrepreneur with three companies under his belt, shares his evolution from a nightlife promoter to a media mogul in France, and finally, to spearheading a social enterprise.
His narrative is not just about business acumen but also about the impact of perseverance, timing, and the importance of human connections. Through Timeleft, which now operates in 80 cities across 18 countries, Maxime is not only creating a business but also fostering a global community, one dinner at a time.
Maxime Barbier: From Nightlife to Global Connector, the Unstoppable Drive of a Born Entrepreneur
Maxime Barbier's journey is not just a story of entrepreneurial success but a testament to the power of resilience and evolution. From his early dreams of basketball glory, Max quickly discovered his true calling lay not in sports but in creating connections. "I started doing events in Paris, they were successful, and that drove me to officially start my ventures," he explains. This shift from a potential sports career to nightlife promoter, and eventually to a media mogul and social innovator, underscores a life dedicated to adapting and thriving.
I started doing events in Paris, they were successful, and that drove me to officially start my ventures
Maxime BarbierCo-Founder and CEO at Timeleft
The birth of Timeleft marks Maxime's latest venture into solving urban loneliness through an innovative approach: dinners that connect strangers based on personality compatibility. "We've made it really easy for people in big cities to connect," Maxime shares. This platform now spans 80 cities and 18 countries, hosting thousands of dinners simultaneously, a feat that underscores the scalability and impact of his vision. It's not just about filling tables but creating meaningful interactions among people who might never otherwise meet.
Maxime attributes his success to a mix of persistence and being at the right place at the right time. Reflecting on his career, he notes, "There's nothing stronger than a little hope that doesn't give up." This philosophy has propelled him through various entrepreneurial phases, from the frenetic pace of nightlife to pioneering positive news media in France, and now, spearheading a global movement to foster connection. His story is a vivid illustration of how passion, when paired with resilience, can transform personal aspirations into enterprises that touch millions of lives.
Maxime Barbier on the Pulse of Innovation: Embracing the Office for Startup Magic
Maxime Barbier, the entrepreneurial spirit behind Timeleft, has had his fair share of experiments with workplace environments. Initially opting for a fully remote team, he quickly realized the magic necessary for a startup's early stages was missing. "At the beginning, when you're hustling, pivoting, and iterating from zero to one, having your team around you is crucial," Maxime reflects. This insight led him back to Paris, where he established a core team that thrives on close collaboration. It's a testament to the idea that while remote work has its place, the irreplaceable energy of in-person interaction often sparks the innovation startups thrive on.
At the beginning, when you're hustling, pivoting, and iterating from zero to one, having your team around you is crucial
Maxime BarbierCo-Founder and CEO at Timeleft
Through trials and many errors, Maxime has honed a philosophy of rapid testing that any budding entrepreneur could learn from. "You need to try and fail as quickly as possible," he advises, advocating for a lean approach to innovation where simplicity rules. This strategy of frequent, fast-paced experimentation has not only shaped his business practices but also deeply influenced the iterative development of Timeleft. Maxime's method is straightforward yet profound: if you can test an idea weekly, you end the year with fifty chances to hit the mark, compared to just twelve for monthly attempts.
Beyond methodologies and business models, Maxime emphasizes the importance of genuine connection with one's creation. Regularly participating in Timeleft's dinners incognito, he experiences the platform's impact firsthand, gathering unfiltered feedback that fuels continuous improvement and team morale. "It's amazing to see your own product from the inside and watch it change people's lives," he shares, highlighting the joy and validation that come from direct engagement with users. This hands-on approach not only keeps the team motivated but ensures that the heart of Timeleft's mission—to connect and enrich lives—remains at the forefront of their efforts.
Connecting Plates and Hearts: Maxime Barbier’s Timeleft Transforms Dining into a Social Revolution
When Maxime Barbier first pitched the concept of Timeleft, he encountered the usual skepticism that greets many new ideas. Yet, as he reflects on those early days, his optimism never wavered. “When you find your market fit, the winds start to blow in the good direction, and everything becomes easier,” Maxime recounts. Starting with just 25 diners at the inaugural event, the numbers quickly climbed—35, then 70, then 81—each event growing as word spread of this new way to combat urban loneliness. His venture wasn’t just well-received; it was a burgeoning success.
The true test came as Timeleft expanded internationally, from Lisbon to Paris and then the UK, facing cultural scepticism at every turn. Maxime smiles as he recalls the doubts: "In every new city, critics said it wouldn’t work. Yet, in every city, we proved them wrong." His initiative taps into a universal human craving for connection, a need that has only intensified in our tech-driven era where true human interaction is often diluted by screens and digital avatars.
Navigating the challenges of bringing strangers together, Timeleft has managed to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for its participants. Maxime explains the careful consideration behind the venue choices: “We meet in public spaces, in groups, not one-on-one, which naturally creates a safer, more relaxed environment.” His approach underlines a significant insight: despite the ease of online rudeness, face-to-face interactions tend to bring out the best in people. "People are nicer than you think when you meet them in the real world," Maxime notes, capturing the essence of what makes Timeleft more than just a meal-sharing service—it’s a platform for building genuine human connections.
Maxime Barbier's Timeleft: Expanding Horizons and Deepening Connections Across Generations
Maxime Barbier’s vision for Timeleft is crystal clear as he discusses the platform's rapid expansion and ambitious future. "We just launched in Los Angeles, Miami, and Canada, and tonight, we’re opening in Chicago and Austin," he shares with palpable excitement. The roadmap doesn’t stop there; by the end of the year, Timeleft aims to connect diners in diverse locales from Asia-Pacific to Eastern Europe, showcasing the universal appeal of their social dining concept. But it's not just about geographical expansion; Timeleft is also set to introduce innovative features to enhance user experience, details of which Maxime playfully keeps under wraps.
Delving deeper into the societal impact of Timeleft, Maxime reflects on the platform's inclusive nature. "The beauty of Timeleft is that it’s for everyone—from the young to the elderly," he states, underscoring the often-overlooked loneliness among older generations. Currently attracting a demographic predominantly between 25 to 45 years old, Maxime is determined to reach out to those over 50, believing firmly in the necessity of social connections across all ages. This push towards inclusivity isn’t just strategic; it’s a testament to Timeleft’s core mission of forging genuine human bonds in an age where digital interactions often fall short of fulfilling our innate social needs.
As Timeleft grows, so does its capability to address loneliness on a global scale, proving that the need for real connection transcends cultural and generational boundaries. Maxime sums up his philosophy: "Loneliness is not just for younger people; it's also for really old people and Boomers, Gen X, and whatever Gen you want to call them." His commitment to broadening Timeleft’s reach reflects a deep understanding of human psychology and a passionate response to the pervasive issue of isolation in modern society. Through his leadership, Timeleft is set to continue breaking down social barriers, one dinner at a time.
