Today we’d like to introduce you to Axel De Chevron Villette.
Hi Axel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in France and developed a strong interest in science and problem-solving early on. That led me to pursue a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering and later a Master’s in Quantitative Finance from HEC Paris, the country’s leading business school. During those formative student years in Paris, in 1999, I met my wife Tracy, who was living there with her family and working at the American Embassy. Meeting her changed the course of my life. We married in 2005 in the Dordogne region of France, and over the years we have lived in London, Tokyo, and now Sarasota, Florida, raising our two children, Julia and Adrian, along the way.
Professionally, I began my career in investment banking in London, working at Goldman Sachs, Barclays Capital and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. I specialized in trading exotic interest rate derivatives, a field that required both advanced maths skills and the ability to perform under pressure. Even during periods of extreme market volatility, I was able to generate substantial profits for the firms, experiences that taught me resilience, risk management, and discipline at the highest levels of finance.
In 2007, while still working in banking, I began investing personally in real estate in Paris. My focus was on acquiring and renovating affordable housing — improving properties to provide livable, quality homes while at the same time building a long-term investment platform. That was the beginning of what became a deep passion for real estate as both a business and a way to positively shape communities.
When my family and I eventually settled in Florida, I expanded that work and founded The Clever Rental LLC. The company’s mission is to provide quality housing at affordable prices for working families, and I’m proud that it has grown into a profitable business that has also had a tangible social impact.
One of the projects I am especially proud of is Rosehill Apartments in Venice, Florida. Built in 1925, the property is part of the area’s early history but had fallen into significant disrepair by the time I acquired it. Rather than allowing it to be demolished or stripped of its character, I undertook a complete restoration, bringing the building back to life while carefully preserving its historic architecture. The renovation was carried out to historical standards, which meant sourcing appropriate materials and honoring the original design details. Today, Rosehill Apartments not only provides quality housing but also stands as a preserved landmark, a reminder that real estate can both serve modern needs and protect local heritage.
More recently, I pursued another project linked to my family roots in France. My brother and I acquired former 18th-century military hospice on the edge of the river in the beautiful small town of Brantôme, in the Dordogne. We are now working on transforming it into a luxury boutique hotel. It is both a business venture and a family project, combining our love of history, architecture, and hospitality with a long-term goal of creating something enduring for the region.
Beyond real estate, Tracy and I also launched The Clever Cup, a community coffee shop in Sarasota. It brings together her artistic spirit and our shared desire to create welcoming spaces where people can connect. In many ways, it complements my work in real estate: both are about building environments that improve people’s daily lives, whether through housing, culture, or community.
Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to grow The Clever Rental with projects that balance financial sustainability and social impact, while also developing our family’s long-term vision in France with the Brantôme hotel. I believe the future lies in creating businesses and spaces that are not only profitable, but also meaningful — places that respect history, support communities, and provide lasting value. For me, the next chapter is about scaling that philosophy, bringing together the lessons I’ve learned in engineering, finance, and entrepreneurship to build projects that endure across generations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where I am today has certainly not been smooth, and I’ve faced several significant challenges along the way.
Early in my career, I worked in some of the most complex areas of finance — trading exotic options and interest rate derivatives. This work was intellectually demanding on its own, but it became even more intense during the 2008 financial crisis. Volatility exploded, markets became highly unstable, and enormous risks had to be managed in real time. Those years tested not only technical skill, but also discipline, patience, and the ability to make decisions under pressure where mistakes could have major consequences.
Transitioning into real estate and entrepreneurship presented a different set of challenges. I began investing in Paris in 2007, just before the global financial crisis, and had to navigate a market with shrinking credit and enormous uncertainty. Later, founding The Clever Rental LLC and taking on projects like Rosehill Apartments meant leaving a highly lucrative career in banking. Giving up a substantial salary and performance bonuses was a difficult decision — especially after years of earning a large income — and the early stages of entrepreneurship came with uncertainty, long hours, and financial risk. Restoring historic properties also involved unforeseen structural issues, strict historical standards, and rising costs, which required persistence and careful planning to complete.
Being a foreigner added additional layers of complexity. Conducting business across multiple countries required navigating different legal and financial systems, adapting to cultural norms, and building trust and credit from scratch — all while speaking and negotiating in several languages. These challenges demanded flexibility, patience, and strong interpersonal skills, and they reinforced the importance of building long-term relationships.
On a personal level, balancing a demanding international career, multiple relocations — from Paris to London, Tokyo, and eventually Florida — and raising our two children, Julia and Adrian, was never easy. Each move required adaptability and constant prioritization to keep both family and business on track.
Despite these challenges, every obstacle became an opportunity to learn. I developed resilience, long-term vision, and disciplined risk management skills, which continue to guide me in both business and life today. The difficulties also reinforced the importance of pursuing ventures that align with my values and make a meaningful impact.
We’ve been impressed with The Clever Rental LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I run several ventures, each rooted in the same core philosophy: creating value that is both financially sustainable and meaningful to communities.
The Clever Rental LLC is a real estate company dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing for working families. What sets us apart is our focus on long-term impact: we don’t just provide homes, we create communities. Many of our properties, such as Rosehill Apartments in Venice, Florida, are historic buildings that we restore and renovate to preserve their character while modernizing them for today’s residents. These projects demonstrate our ability to combine high-quality real estate development with a respect for heritage and sustainability.
Beyond Florida, my work in France includes both investment and development. Since 2007, I’ve been acquiring and renovating affordable housing in and around Paris, creating livable spaces in a highly competitive market. Looking further ahead, my family and I are undertaking a long-term project in Brantôme, Dordogne: converting a former 16th-century military hospice into a luxury boutique hotel. This project reflects our commitment to preserving history while developing distinctive, high-quality experiences for future generations.
The Clever Cup Coffee Shop, our café in Sarasota, complements these real estate projects by fostering community in a different way. It’s a space that blends my wife Tracy’s artistic vision with our shared goal of creating welcoming environments. It’s about the human experience — a place for people to connect, enjoy art, and feel at home.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
One of the most important influences in my life has been my mother, Monique de Chevron Villette (born Monique de Vandiere de Vitrac). Born in 1933 as a French aristocrat countess, she grew up in Morocco and Tunisia during WWII because her father was a colonel in the French Army fighting with the Allies. Despite these challenging early years, she became an outstanding student and earned a degree from HEC — at a time when very few women had that opportunity.
She went on to raise four children while always being the leading force in our family, full of joy, cheekiness, and energy. She is quick-witted, humble, fast & efficient. Qualities that taught me the value of sharp thinking, precision, and adaptability from a young age. She never pressured us to succeed, but always supported and helped each of her children wholeheartedly. Her resilience, intellect, and zest for life have profoundly shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally. Today, she is 92 and can do math faster than anyone, still drives her car and lives independently in her family castle in Dordogne!
Alongside her, my wife Tracy has been a constant source of support and inspiration, helping guide our ventures from real estate to The Clever Cup. I’ve also been fortunate to learn from mentors and colleagues in finance and real estate, as well as from the communities and teams I work with. But if I had to single out one person whose example has influenced every step of my journey, it would be my mother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://axeldechevron.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axeldecv/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adevillette/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/axel-de-chevron-villette/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/axelcv10
- Other: https://www.theclevercup.com/
