The Inspiring Journey of Ariane from Vision to Success

Have you ever thought about what it takes to launch a leading company?

Join us as we uncover the founding of Ariane Systems by Michel Lavandier, revealing the bold strategies that turned vision into success. Might this story inspire your path to leadership?

Do You Turn Vision into Reality?

The journey to success starts with a single spark of inspiration. Entrepreneurship is about turning that spark into reality; It's about seeing potential where others see obstacles and crafting a path forward with creativity and determination. Are you ready to discover the strategies and stories that can inspire your path to greatness? Please read on to find out the secrets behind turning vision into success.

At the heart of the creation of Ariane, we had the opportunity to interview Michel Lavandier, President of Ariane Systems, the world leader in hotel self-check-in. Here's what we learned.

Michel Lavandier

Ariane Systems Founder & President

Michel Lavandier, President of Ariane Systems for over 22 years, is also an administrator, co-president of the comité d'engagement, and active member of the Entreprendre Seine Saint Denis network.
With almost 40 years of experience dedicated to entrepreneurship, let's explore his atypical career path in our discussion on "The Inspiring Journey of Ariane from Vision to Success"

A Visionary Entrepreneur at 22

In 1984, at just 22 years old, Michel established his first company, Ariane Informatique, amidst the dawn of personal computers introduced by IBM in the United States and France. The name "Ariane" was inspired by the successful Ariane 4 rocket and the mythological figure Ariadne, who helped Theseus escape the Minotaur's labyrinth with a thread. This symbolism of guidance and discovery resonated with Michel. Thanks to the alphabetical order, a pragmatic reason was the advantage of appearing at the top of directories and catalogs.

Luck is not a random occurrence but the result of creating an environment where opportunities can emerge and be seized.

Michel's philosophy is that luck is not a random occurrence but the result of creating an environment where opportunities can emerge and be seized. This belief led to the founding of Ariane Systems in 1992 when an opportunity arose to install telephones in a hotel in Reims, marking the beginning of what would become a pioneering company in the industry.

The first installation, the first hotel, but not the first challenge 😉

In 1992, the forerunner of Ariane Systems set up shop at a hotel in Reims, France: our first customer. Initially, the market didn't take us seriously, as we were competing against competitors with an established monopoly.

Despite this, we did manage to attract a few customers, including Roi Soleil, our first historical customer. We also participated in trade fairs, sharing a stand with other companies due to a lack of budget.


Over the next five years, we opened installations in twenty to thirty hotels, while our competitors were installing kiosks in five hotels a week, having already equipped much of the market. We needed help to gain our share.

One day, I met Christophe Budin, the general manager of First Class at the time. He offered me an exciting opportunity at the dawn of 2000 as the famous Y2K bug approached.

We convinced our customers to update their obsolete systems by offering them an innovative solution with a touch terminal. Although we faced challenges, including issues with one of our suppliers, we overcame these and successfully installed the new systems.

It was a nightmare period, but we survived. As an entrepreneur for forty years, I can tell you that every business goes through difficult times, but we repeatedly overcome these obstacles.

Key Success Factors

Our success results from resilience, determination, and the mobilization of teams united by a clear and transparent vision. These elements have enabled us to become a significant market player.

“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”

Jim Rohn

This underlines the importance of an entourage that shares our ambitions, a key factor in our journey. Our bold and innovative entrepreneurial friends illustrate the impact of a dynamic network. At the same time, accepting divergent points of view enriches our perspectives. Embracing diversity of opinion is the key to holistic personal and professional growth.

Lessons from the Journey

Summing up his entrepreneurial journey, Michel describes it as a mix of suffering and pleasure, much like an athlete who endures pain for the thrill of victory. Despite the challenges, finding moments of joy and balance is crucial for maintaining energy and resilience, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michel's wife, Valérie, has been instrumental in helping him find balance, introducing him to concepts of healthy leadership, which are essential for long-term success and well-being.

Pillars of Inspiration

The primary sources of inspiration that influence me are my family, particularly my wife Valérie, my children, who support me a lot, the Entreprendre network, the A P M, and my partner, Laurent Cardot. Even though he's in the United States, our bond is strong, which creates a unique balance. We complement each other and have the utmost confidence in each other.

Another important source of inspiration for me is my relationship with my collaborators. I believe in giving them total trust from the moment they arrive; they build that trust as they go along. It's a win-win relationship.

My environment also includes entrepreneurial friends and intellectually wealthy leaders. I strive to keep abreast of what's going on in the world and to enrich myself intellectually.

It's essential not to be monomaniacal and to remain open to the world, cultures, and diversity, even when disagreeing with others. We're used to playing with contradiction to find solutions, which is a strength. We accept disagreements and discussions, but they are always light-hearted and constructive. Accepting contradiction is important, as is accepting difference.

Icons Who Inspire Me

Barack Obama and Pope John Paul II inspire me. Obama impressed me with his authenticity and humility, even when he was President of the United States. His interview after his term in office made me reflect on the power and responsibility that comes with it. On the other hand, Donald Trump represented arrogance and disrespect, starkly contrasting to Obama.

John Paul II was also an inspiring example for me. Despite some criticism of the Catholic Church in his day, he was always concerned about the most disadvantaged and defended equality between all human beings, whether rich or poor. This inspires me a great deal.

Of course, other people have also been sources of inspiration for me because of their courage and convictions, but Obama and Pope John Paul II are two outstanding examples.

Sharing our experiences and convictions is enriching because it allows us to reflect and question ourselves. Of course, our stories always have a certain idealization, but they help us see the contrasts and better understand the world around us.

The journey from the early days to the success of Ariane Systems showcases vision, resilience, and leadership. This story is an inspiration, proving that with determination and support, outstanding achievements are possible.

What innovative hospitality projects will you embark on next? Meet our experts or book a demo today to start your own journey to success.