ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patrick Esquerré was born and raised in the Chateau Country, the heart of France. After a 20 year life in Paris in advertising, marketing and special events, Patrick landed by “accident” in Dallas and became the founder, nurturer, and underlying DNA of the La Madeleine French Bakery and Café family which counts 90 bakeries and Cafés in 14 cities throughout the US.
He is also the founder of the Essilor Vision Foundation and Kids Vision for Life Coalitions, a national program providing vision care to underserved children, based in Dallas with the support of Essilor USA, the leading manufacturer and distributor of optical lenses.
The wisdom of Love • Listen • Adapt to Surprise and create Happiness leads this endeavor.
Patrick has been celebrated and honored over the years with numerous awards for his business acumen and accomplishments as well as in recognition for his generous and tireless philanthropic activities. In 1991, PBS presented him with its Humanitarian Award for his active contribution in fundraising pledge drives in 9 U.S. cities. INC. Magazine named him Entrepreneur of the Year in 1993, and in 1997 he was the recipient of Nation’s Restaurant News magazine’s “Top Fifty Power Players” Award recognizing him among the nation’s most influential and successful restaurateurs. Among his most notable recognitions came in 2004, when his native Republic of France awarded him the prestigious l’Ordre National du Mérite for his distinguished achievements. Then in 2010 Patrick received the Lone Star Spirit Award for “outstanding Business Achievements” and in 2017 the Freedom Foundation recognized him with its National Community Award.
Patrick lives by the motto: “Life is beautiful if we have the enthusiastic will to make it so. Intensely live, love, give, share, enjoy, and generate happiness!”
