This article is taken from the
special Figaro "From East to West - Living in Canada why not you?"
.
This number offers you to answer the questions you ask yourself as simply as possible.
This, with the help of practical texts, maps and testimonies from French people living in Canada.
According to the World Bank's Doing Business 2018 rankings, Canada is the second best country to start a business, after New Zealand.
Strategically located, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia represent a gateway for investors and business creators to markets in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada.
The skilled workforce, low operating costs and unparalleled quality of life make it a preferred destination for setting up a business.
Valérie, a former merchant in France, is just waiting for her visa to go to New Brunswick where she is going to open a franchise restaurant.
“I fell in love with this province on my first visit four years ago. The people there are friendly, the towns are on a human scale, the sea is not far away, the nature is superb… And there everything is possible! »
.
Even if the concept of the franchise is a secure way to embark on the entrepreneurial adventure, it is necessary to mature the project well and to surround yourself with lawyers, accountants and specialized consultants for the financial arrangement. .
Read alsoCanada, the new destination of the American dream
"I've been working on this file for three years,
" says Valérie.
I first went to the Franchise Fair in Moncton, then the one in Paris, where I met the Classe Affaires company, which supports entrepreneurs in the development of their business in Canada.
I participated in their exploration trip, during which I was able to meet bankers, franchisees, real estate agents to better understand the market there.
I discovered the concepts of Canadian franchises.
I chose a Canadian restaurant network because they know the market and know what works.
Even if I have a certain know-how, I want to remain humble and use all the tools that the network can give me”.
Food trades, a French know-how recognized in Canada
Frédéric Tandy left his native Limousin in 2002 to spend a few seasons in the restaurant business in Nova Scotia before settling there permanently in 2005. Five years later, he opened Halifax's first charcuterie, Charcuterie Ratinaud, a rather unknown in Canada.
“I started from scratch, I put all my savings into my business and took out a bank loan.
It took me three or four years to get my head above water, because I was not helped at all.
But that was over ten years ago.
Since then, I have accompanied other French people to set up their business, a French bakery, a chocolate factory, a pizzeria and there are quite a few organizations to facilitate the installation”.
Read alsoHappy like French expatriates in Quebec
Main advantage of the region for business creators: taxes, much lower than in France.
"And the reputation of French craftsmen, recognized as quality professionals
," adds Frédéric.
There are therefore many opportunities for French people who want to develop small businesses in the food industry.
However, it is necessary to be armed with courage, patience and motivation because the rules of hygiene are very different compared to France.
And it is essential to speak English, as Nova Scotia is predominantly English-speaking.”
Easier procedures than in France
Pauline Lorentz and her husband will also embark on the opening of a French restaurant in Tracadie-Sheila, in northeastern New Brunswick.
These people from Strasbourg who arrived in Canada as employees in July 2019 were helped by two local organizations to set up their business.
"With the Economic Development and Employability Network (RDÉE), specific to French-speaking newcomers, we were able to benefit from coaching and workshops to set up our business plan,"
explains the young woman.
The CBDC (Community Business Development Corporation), a non-profit organization that advises future entrepreneurs, provided us with financial assistance, which enabled us to avoid the bank loan”
.
Read the fileSettling in Canada: successfully arriving and settling in
For this couple of cooks and financial managers, the choice of New Brunswick was obvious.
"Here, everyone knows each other, it's family,"
notes Pauline.
Creating your business is much easier than in France.
There are many organizations ready to help entrepreneurs and we always deal with the same contact, which facilitates the process.
We started our project five months ago and we are preparing to present it to a commission made up of business leaders who will determine its viability.
If it's approved, we'll order the kitchen, merchandise, and away we go!
".
Tristan Vendé, leader of Decathlon in the Atlantic provinces
“When a French entrepreneur arrives, Canadian organizations open the doors to him,” says Tristan Vendé.
Tristan Vende
“For two years, I have been involved in developing Decathlon in the Atlantic provinces.
After the first Decathlon opened in Halifax a year ago, I am now working on opening a small store in Moncton.
You should know that when Decathlon opens in a country, everything has to be created, without any help.
When I landed with a gun in Montreal five years ago with three colleagues to open Decathlon Canada, we had six months to explore the country and convince the shareholders to return.
It was about identifying land, looking at existing shopping centers, making contacts, understanding how the commercial real estate market works... We took an apartment all four of us and we divided the roles between depending on our skills.
I
I was in charge of marketing, communication, design of buildings and stores.
The entrepreneurial culture is very strong in Canada.
Nova Scotia offers immigrant entrepreneurs a support system that makes them dream: French and English courses, free skills assessment, job placement follow-up... Creating the Decathlon Canada business took us less than half a hour in the lawyer's office.
The administrative procedures are much simpler here.
You are given an appointment time, and you are welcomed with a smile and patience.
It changes your life!”.
English, free skills assessment, job placement follow-up… Creating the Decathlon Canada business took us less than half an hour in the lawyer's office.
The administrative procedures are much simpler here.
You are given an appointment time, and you are welcomed with a smile and patience.
It changes your life!”.
English, free skills assessment, job placement follow-up… Creating the Decathlon Canada business took us less than half an hour in the lawyer's office.
The administrative procedures are much simpler here.
You are given an appointment time, and you are welcomed with a smile and patience.
It changes your life!”.
Good addresses for business
In Nova Scotia:
Business class
The company with a dual Franco-Canadian culture advises and supports entrepreneurs in the economic development of their business.
It makes it possible to better understand the markets and to minimize the risks associated with setting up abroad.
https://classeaffairescf.com
Nova Scotia Economic Development Council (Cdéné)
Offers one-on-one business counseling sessions, preparation of business plans, marketing plans, orientation to funding sources, networking, a mentorship program, and workshops and information sessions.
www.cdene.ns.ca
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Under the Business Development Program, ACOA helps entrepreneurs start up and expand their business with a 0% loan of half the capital needed, and up to 75% of the staff training, efficiency studies, quality control, marketing and sales, environmental management systems.
Futurpreneur
: National not-for-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39.
www.futurpreneur.ca
In New Brunswick:
Opportunities New Brunswick
The province's economic development organization provides information on setting up and developing a business, export growth and market diversification.
https://onbcanada.ca
The Beehive
This business incubator offers entrepreneurs start-up assistance, a coworking space, training, administrative support and networking opportunities.
Exists in Fredericton, Moncton, Bathurst and Edmundston.
www.laruchechaleur.ca
https://ccedmundston.com
Business Development Bank of Canada
Has many resource tools for immigrant entrepreneurs, including the free online self-study program on how to start a business in Canada.
www.bdc.ca
Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC)
Support for the creation and expansion of SMEs by providing entrepreneurs with financial assistance, consulting and advisory services, training in business development and creation.
cbdc.ca
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From East to West - Living in Canada why not you?
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