Check Out Julie Wevers-Stevens’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Wevers-Stevens.

Hi Julie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, and spent my childhood going back and forth between the city​, the ardennes and sunny summers with my family in the South of France​. After completing my ​BA, I became an au pair for a wonderful family in Los Angeles, and that experience completely changed me. I fell ​completely in love with California​, the energy, the lifestyle, the openness​, and a part of me always knew I would come back.

I returned to Europe and settled in Paris, where I began working in the finance department for Ladurée. While I was building a strong career, I couldn’t quite ​stop daydreaming about Cali. I found myself traveling back to​ L.A every chance I got​ and even took ​several t​wo-month​ long sabbatical​s to road trip through the West​, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, which was just as magical as it sounds.

As my career progressed, I was offered the opportunity to spend a year working in New York City. I lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Gramercy, and it was truly one of those “pinch me” life chapters​, fast-paced, exciting, and unforgettable. After that experience, I returned to Europe and joined L’Oréal, continuing to grow professionally.

Then one day, almost on a whim, I applied to the Green Card Diversity Lottery during its very short application window. I didn’t think much of it​, after all, the odds are incredibly slim​, but a few months later, I found out I had been selected. ​On my very first try. Within four months, I made the bold decision to leave my role at L’Oréal, say goodbye to my life in Europe, and move to the United States to start a completely new chapter.

About eight months after arriving, I met my now-husband. We got married in March 2020, and in 2022, we welcomed our son, Arthur. Looking back, it felt almost irrational at the time to leave a life where I was thriving professionally and surrounded by the people I loved. But there was this ​loud, persistent voice telling me that my life was waiting somewhere else. I couldn’t fully explain it then​, but now, it all makes sense. Every step, every leap, every seemingly random decision led me exactly where I was meant to be​!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road; far from it! I made some really difficult choices along the way, like passing on promotions and even ending relationships, because I knew deep down that I wanted to keep the freedom to move. In many ways, I put parts of my life in Europe on hold, which at times felt like living in a “waiting room”. It was exhausting and filled with uncertainty.

There was a lot of self-doubt, and from the outside, it didn’t always make sense to others, some of my friends genuinely thought I was a little crazy. But through all of that, there was always this loud inner voice guiding me. Whether you call it intuition, instinct, or something deeper, it kept reminding me that I was on the right path, and looking back now, I’m so grateful I listened to it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I hold both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Criminology, and I actually began my career as a financial analyst in a counter-terrorism unit, where I analyzed financial transactions linked to terrorist activity. It was intense, highly analytical work that really shaped how I think.

From there, I transitioned into data analysis and eventually found my way into the luxury industry, an area I absolutely adore.
It allowed me to combine analytical thinking with a more creative, brand-driven environment, which has been incredibly fulfilling. I worked for Maison Laduree, L’Oreal, The RealReal and i also had the chance to work for super fun startups like Turo! 

I know that today there’s a big emphasis on being a self-starter, launching your own business, and entrepreneurship, and that’s admirable. But I also think there’s something incredibly valuable, and often overlooked, about building a stable corporate career. A steady paycheck, performance bonuses, a well-funded 401(k) and Roth IRA (hello, compounded interest!), a cushy savings account and, strong health insurance, these are POWERFUL.
This is proven to be THE best way to become a millionaire, regardeless of what your algorhythms on social media are telling you. 

Bare with me, i know these may not feel sexy when you’re in your twenties. I’ve been there! You want to dress to impress, YOLOing your way through life but I can’t stress enough how important it is to educate yourself on financial literacy.
Don’t be intimidated by it, and don’t shy away from it.
Knowledge truly is power. 

I’m also a big believer in doing something that you love, something that get’s you in the flow. If you’re not there yet, start looking around, be curious, be open, don’t be afraid to try new things! Life is long, you have time to figure it out!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
It’s your responsability to become the best, higher version of yourself. Physically, mentally, spiritually.
It really does have an impact over everyone you meet. You have more influence than you think (and i’m not talking about Tiktok) but about the poeple you meet, the ones you talked to everyday, the ones that will still remember that conversation late at night all these years ago that sparked a change in their life.

The people you surround yourself with, have the biggest impact on your life, choose wisely.
Protect your peace, pursue happiness and always thrive to be a genuinely good person.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieweversstevens/

Image Credits
@aumemoriesphotography