In the latest episode of the Bright Founders Talk podcast, hosted by Chris from Temy—an international software development company—listeners were treated to an insightful conversation with Michelle Duval, the visionary Founder and CEO of Marlee. As a founder, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.
The interview explores her academic and professional trajectory, starting from a last-minute switch from psychology to hotel management, leading to significant roles in hospitality where she managed VIP delegations. This formative period catalyzed her entrepreneurial spirit, ultimately inspiring her to pioneer the field of coaching psychology and start her first business. Through her story, listeners gain invaluable insights into the evolution of a leader who is as dedicated to personal growth as she is to professional excellence.
Michelle Duval: Bridging Innovation and Intuition in Business Leadership
Michelle Duval, whose journey from the hospitality industry to AI and coaching is nothing short of inspiring, dives into the foundational experiences that shaped her business acumen. At the heart of her approach is an enduring commitment to putting the user first—a philosophy she honed during her time in hotel management. "Just that deep, deep understanding of putting the user very first," Michelle recalls, drawing parallels between maximizing hotel capacity and today’s tech-driven customer focus. This strategy has not only guided her through various industries but has also been pivotal in how she shapes user experiences in her current venture.
The transition from hotel executive to pioneering the coaching industry was marked by organic growth fueled by genuine connections and word-of-mouth endorsements. Michelle started with two coaches who believed in her vision, leading to a full practice within months and international requests for training. "Within my very first year, I had 161 coaches reach out to me from around the world asking me to train them," she shares, reflecting on the unexpected rapid expansion of her influence. This grassroots growth underscored her impact and led to the development of a coaching psychology model that has been adopted globally.
Michelle's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative mindset eventually steered her towards AI coaching. Her early recognition of AI’s potential allowed her to pioneer a sector ahead of the curve, blending traditional coaching methods with cutting-edge technology. This foresight was instrumental in the creation of Marlee, her current venture, a collaboration and performance AI used by teams from more than 90,000 organizations. Michelle’s journey illustrates a seamless fusion of industry knowledge, personal passion, and technological innovation, proving that understanding people’s core needs remains central in the age of AI.
Breaking Barriers: Michelle Duval on Pioneering AI Coaching and Redefining Entrepreneurial Success
Michelle Duval’s journey into the world of AI coaching began with a bold vision that faced skepticism. In 2018, as AI was primarily known for simple tasks like booking appointments, Michelle aimed to harness it for conversational AI coaching despite doubts from potential investors. “I was pretty confident they would,” Michelle said, reflecting her belief in the appeal of AI coaching due to the anonymity and non-judgmental interaction it offers. This belief led her to develop and test a prototype that exceeded the effectiveness of human coaching, with 90% of users achieving their goals in 4-9 weeks, proving the skeptics wrong.
By 2020, Michelle’s AI coaching platform, Marlee, was ready to impact the market. The platform offers a freemium model, making it accessible to anyone interested in personal or professional growth. Users answer questions on what motivates them, helping them understand what drives them or their teams. The AI coach not only facilitates goal-setting but also provides personalized coaching on a wide array of topics—from enhancing team dynamics to personal aspirations like finding love. This approach democratizes the access to high-quality coaching, previously available only to the elite.
The success of Marlee isn’t just in its technology but also in the data-driven insights it offers about entrepreneurial behavior. Michelle highlights how certain leadership styles correlate strongly with business success. “We found that founders who have a big picture focus raise more rounds of capital,” she explains, underscoring the critical insights Marlee provides. This data helps entrepreneurs understand their strengths and weaknesses, making Marlee not just a coaching tool but a strategic advisor for anyone looking to harness data to drive growth and success.
From Vision to Reality: Michelle Duval Charts the Evolution of AI Coaching and Its Impact Across Generations
Michelle Duval's pioneering journey into AI coaching began with a bold vision in 2018, a time when the best AI application many could imagine was scheduling haircuts. By 2020, Michelle had not only conceptualized but also launched a prototype of her AI coach, testing it with users accustomed to human coaching and newcomers alike. The feedback was unexpectedly positive, validating her belief in AI's potential to offer a judgment-free coaching experience. "We were blown away; people enjoyed talking to an AI coach because they felt they could be more vulnerable," Michelle reflects on the early success that paved the way for widespread acceptance and use of her AI coaching platform.
We were blown away; people enjoyed talking to an AI coach because they felt they could be more vulnerable
Michelle DuvalFounder and CEO at Marlee
As AI technology evolved rapidly, Michelle's application did too, integrating large language models by 2023 which accelerated her company's growth and capability. This integration allowed her to advance her roadmap significantly, bringing previously distant features to immediate implementation. Michelle's platform now serves users in 196 countries, tailoring coaching to cultural nuances and generational differences. Her data shows fascinating trends, such as the marked decline in self-trust from baby boomers to Gen Z, who heavily rely on external data for decision-making. This insight helps tailor AI coaching to be culturally and generationally relevant, enhancing its effectiveness.
Looking ahead, Michelle is committed to embedding her AI coaching deeply into daily workflows, with integrations like Slack and Google, making real-time, data-driven coaching accessible right where decisions happen. This approach not only enhances work efficiency but also supports personal growth, reflecting Michelle's broader mission to "help everybody bring out the best in themselves and each other." Her vision for the future is clear: integrate AI coaching seamlessly into daily life, ensuring that it serves as a powerful tool for personal and professional development across the globe.
