Sophie Cuendet – Take Control Now Podcast

In this episode of the Take Control Now podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sophie Cuendet, founder of The All-In. We talked about her unconventional career path, her 17 years at JP Morgan, her transition to entrepreneurship, and her vision of interior design tailored for remote work.

Who is Sophie?

Sophie Cuendet is French-Swiss, and has been living in Switzerland for over 23 years. She describes herself first and foremost as someone who is perseverant and determined. After studying at the École hôtelière de Lausanne and a long career in banking, she founded The All-In in 2021: a 100% Swiss Made wall-mounted desk designed for remote workers who lack space at home.

A Difficult School Journey That Fuelled Her Determination

Sophie's academic path was far from conventional. A self-admitted poor student, she repeated two school years and experienced education as a genuine trauma. Her parents fought every year to get her into the next grade.

"I clearly have a school trauma. But I don't regret anything because the determination I have today is what defines me."

Despite the obstacles, she earned her literary baccalaureate, then enrolled at the École hôtelière de Lausanne — where she repeated a year again, but persevered until graduation.

17 Years at JP Morgan: Curiosity and Impostor Syndrome

Landing almost by chance in the banking sector, Sophie started in the middle office of a major American bank in Geneva. What was supposed to be a six-month stint turned into 17 years.

She moved through numerous departments, including 9 years in credit, where she loved uncovering the human stories behind account numbers. She climbed the ranks to Vice President, despite battling a strong case of impostor syndrome.

"They were going to find me out at some point. But I often realised that people who had studied in this field were less curious than I was."

The Entrepreneurial Awakening

In 2017, Sophie undertook a skills assessment. The verdict was clear: she was an entrepreneur. A first social project, Extra Mama & Co, confirmed that she got butterflies in her stomach when building something from A to Z.

In 2021, a coaching programme with Aurélia Monaco unlocked the final barriers. Sophie resigned from JP Morgan in June 2021 and launched The All-In in October.

"She unlocked the padlocks one after another. I understood that I was self-taught and that it was now or never."

The All-In: The Wall-Mounted Desk That Rethinks Remote Work

The All-In is a 100% Swiss Made wall-mounted desk, crafted in the Nyon region from solid oak and white Scandinavian laminate. Its approach is unique:

• Ergonomic: three height options adapted to the user's stature, validated by an ergonomics specialist
• Space-saving: closes completely to create a real boundary between work life and personal life
• Design-forward: combining ergonomics and aesthetics, where the market often offers one or the other
• Fully equipped: dimmable LED lighting meeting office standards, integrated power strip, complete storage

"When it's closed, all you'll see is a beautiful piece on the wall. Nothing reminds you of work anymore."

Her Vision and Advice

• Perseverance and self-confidence: the two ingredients that can change everything
• Trust yourself: don't let other people's fears dictate your choices
• Time vs money: learn to do things yourself, delegate when you reach your limits
• Failure doesn't exist: every experience is a learning opportunity
• Remote work is here to stay: companies need to rethink management, not restrict flexibility

"If you believe in yourself and you're perseverant, you can do anything. In life, there are no problems, only solutions."

Her Inspirations

• Book: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg — a turning point for feeling legitimate in a male-dominated corporate world
• Coach: Aurélia Monaco — the coaching that unlocked everything in 2021
• Mentor: Fouad Zane, whom she met at JP Morgan, specialising in personal development and leadership
• Go-to place: a walk along a bisse near Lac de Champex in Valais

Where to Find Sophie

• LinkedIn – Sophie Cuendet (her preferred communication channel)

Conclusion

Sophie Cuendet's journey is that of a determined woman who turned her academic struggles into strength, her 17 years as an employee into a springboard, and her passion for interior design into a business. With The All-In, she offers a concrete and elegant solution to a problem that millions of remote workers face every day.

👉 An inspiring story for anyone hesitating to listen to their inner voice and take the leap.