Flora Gerome Ching

Paris' Coolest Girl

Flora Gerome Ching, 31, French‑Senegalese, is a luxury‑marketing leader shaping brand stories for a high‑end jewelry brand, now anchored in Paris after sharpening her craft in New York City. She loves empowering women, on the job and in her circle of friends. That same energy, nudged by God, has birthed the premise of her dream project, I Needed to Hear This, an in‑the‑making podcast and community set to spark honest conversations about purpose, courage, and authentic living.

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Have you died today?

Yes. Each day, I try to die to myself so I can follow Jesus more closely.

What does dying to yourself mean to you?

It is a very challenging question that got me thinking deeper than I thought was needed. For me, dying to myself means letting go of my ego and remembering that nothing is possible without God. All the strength and creativity I have come from Him. In today’s world, where ego is often placed first, it can be hard to fully surrender. That’s why having a Christian community that encourages me to ‘die to myself’ every day is so precious. Another way for me to ‘die to myself’ is to thank Him daily for the joys and the struggles. Gratitude keeps my heart aligned with His and it reminds me that even the hard moments are part of His good work in me - as hard as it sounds.

How do you describe the work you do, and why do you do it?

I started my career in the luxury industry. The spark for this universe began when I was growing up and watching my mother dress with elegance, and I learned all about luxury and beauty from her. Over time, I realized that what drives me most isn’t the industry itself anymore, nor building marketing strategies… It’s empowering people. As a leader, I love guiding the women around me, helping them trust their own voice and reach their potential. That calling, nudged, I believe, by God, has led me to launch I Needed to Hear This, a podcast and community in its early stages, designed for women, especially French women, who aren’t always encouraged to claim their power and live with purpose.

What does your creative process look like, practically and spiritually?

Spiritually, and particularly for this project, it feels like a calling that has been in my heart for years. I struggled for a long time, not knowing if the idea was really from God, until I finally told my Christian community and you, Karren, that I couldn’t hear what He wanted me to do. Not long after, the answer came with unmistakable clarity, after prayers and questioning: “Start writing.” That unspoken clarity led me to publish my first Substack article on  June 25th 2025, and each step since has felt like God scripting the path. The work begins spontaneously, whenever God wants me to sit down and create or whenever I feel inspired, which I believe he decides anyway.

Practically, I retreat to a space where I won’t be interrupted, open my laptop, notes on my phone or notebook, and pour out whatever rises in my head. It’s just my thoughts, my computer often, and a quiet room. Once the words are on the page, I shape them, but the real spark always starts in stillness with Him.

How do you hear from God? What does God sound like to you?

It is hard to say, as for a long time I wasn’t sure I could hear God at all. When I finally admitted that to myself and my Christian friends, about two months ago, I asked Him directly for clarity (the best advice they gave me). The answer came in a way I couldn’t miss: a sudden, peaceful conviction to start writing on Substack and to build the I Needed to Hear This community and podcast we talked about above.

And when he talks to me, his voice is always the same, calm, gentle, and unmistakably clear.

What’s one way you actively exercise your freedom in Christ?

I exercise my freedom in Christ by regularly stepping away from Instagram for a few weeks at a time. Taking that break reminds me I’m free from the pressure to compare, and free to focus on prayer, meditation, Scripture (I try my best to read the Bible more), and real‑life relationships instead.

When do you feel most fully alive?

When I’m out in nature, sitting in a quiet place, or simply spending time with the people I love, any moment that brings me back to life’s simple essentials.

Who or what is currently inspiring you?

Lately, I have been most inspired by the sense of purpose that God has opened up for me. As I step into the work He’s laid on my heart, I find myself wanting to grow closer to Jesus, letting His character shape my own.

A sentence you heard recently that changed a lot for you:

God telling me to finally trust and listen to him.

For me, a part of death to self is releasing the lies that have shaped us, and receiving the truth God has already spoken. What’s one lie you’re ready to lay down, and one truth you’re choosing to live by?

The lie I am ready to lay down is the one that says I can do it all on my own. I want to live more with the truth that, without God, nothing is possible.

Bonus: If you could shine a spotlight on one thing right now, what would it be? (Could be a song, a cause, a project, a book, or another artist!)

I’d shine the spotlight on Mariama Bâ, a Senegalese author, and her book So Long a Letter. I’m finishing the book right now; it’s written in such beautiful French (English version also available) and captures the joys and struggles of West African womanhood, cultural differences, and invites reflection on friendship, faith, and women's purpose. It is truly inspiring and has brought me closer to my Senegalese roots.

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Have You Died Today?’s Feature Friday series seeks to unearth what it means to die daily and live freely amongst each one of us. Every Friday, Christian Creatives are invited to answer the same 10 questions, giving us an insight to how faith shapes their work and inner life.

Email: hello@lovejoy.nyc for all inquiries.