They tell their first steps as franchisees: “A feeling of freedom found”

Morgane Plantrou (Impulse Communication)

After more than five years spent in Canada in the press relations sector, Morgane Plantrou, back in France, decided to create her own business in this profession. “But I had to overcome a double difficulty: I had no network and the North American methods are quite different from those in force in France”. It therefore considers it preferable to rely on the Impulse Communication brand to open its agency in Lyon in October 2022.

His priority during the first weeks? “Well integrate the fundamentals that constitute the identity of the franchise and the methodology to prospect effectively”. Starting from a blank page, she won four clients in the first two months. “Starting from scratch is difficult, but more exciting. It’s a real business creation”.

Laetitia Arabian-Legeay (Oliviers & Co)

Mother of three children, Laetitia Legeay-Arabian interrupted her professional life for several years before resuming an activity. Because she loves cooking, she joined the Oliviers and Co brand, which specializes in quality olive oils.

Looking for the right location, finding the right bank, taking training on entrepreneurship… The first months are an obstacle course. “It takes a great will to succeed”, recognizes Laetitia, who inaugurated her store at the end of 2022 in Boulogne-Billancourt (Hauts-de-Seine). But she already feels rewarded for her efforts thanks to “the incredible welcome from the municipality, the surrounding merchants and the first customers”. Beginnings both exhausting and exhilarating.

Théo Cadillon (Prelys Courtage)

The reputation of Swiss watchmaking, of course, is second to none. But after seven years, Théo Caudillon, 25, begins to dream of other horizons. So when a relative offered him in May 2022 to join forces to open a Prelys Courtage agency in Reims, specializing in real estate loans and borrower insurance, he took the plunge.

Admittedly, he has no experience in this universe, but his partner comes from the bank. And then the young man knows that they will benefit from “the franchisor’s image and methods”. After six months of exercise, he also draws up a “very positive assessment” of their activity. And gives two pieces of advice to new franchisees: “Follow the recommendations of the brand and forge links with the other members of the network”.

Ipek Celik (Era Immobilier)

When she opened her agency in Sartrouville (Yvelines) in June 2022 under the colors of ERA Immobilier, Ipek Celik hoped to hold ten mandates after six months of activity. At the end of 2022, it already had… 26. “And my agency now employs three negotiators!”, says this young woman with a master’s degree in law. A performance that she owes mainly to her hard work, she believes.

The first customers are the most difficult to conquer because the franchisee must indeed build his reputation, establish trust and generate good word-of-mouth. “Prospecting was therefore my priority. I did a lot of boxing and canvassing at home. And it worked”, underlines the one who says she is happy to now accompany “life projects”.

Bruno Cousteix (Thank you +)

When you are an airline pilot, you have to know how to urgently review a flight plan. Bruno Cousteix has proven it. This old frame in aeronautics and distribution was laid off for economic reasons following the Covid. He took the opportunity to realize one of his dreams: to create a business.

This 50-year-old opened a Merci + agency in July 2022 in Vincennes (Val-de-Marne), specializing in home maintenance. The most motivating in his new life? “A feeling of newfound freedom. I can take all sorts of initiatives on my own, whereas a company employee rarely decides alone”. Bruno Cousteix was quickly rewarded for his efforts, exceeding his sales target six months after opening the agency. A successful landing.

An article from the Franchise special issue of L’Express. On newsstands March 16, 2023