Odile, a great business!
The love and well-being of his dog gave him a comfortable life to get started, in December 2019, in entrepreneurship, a few months before the start of the health crisis, and in a sector on which many would not haveNot bet: a specialized shop for dogs and cats.
Whoever will give Odile wings, push her to abandon everything? A small molossa!Player, sweet, who loves to flavor the play of his flatulence, pasfan of exercises but who likes to do the beautiful ... We have named Leepton!A French bulldog, Odile's "baby" for five years already.It is he who will give him the click to undertake."When I had my dog, I didn't find much in Martinique for him.I had to order, when I just wanted to take care of him as it should ... "
The idea then trots in Odile's head: why not set up a shop where everyone, specialist or not dog or cat, could be around accessories, food?
Because also, in the Sylvestre family, everyone is an entrepreneur.“I am the only one in my family who started her working life as an employee.Everyone is on their own, ”she tells us.
His baccalaureate in his pocket, Odile joined the Martinique management and commerce school, in order to have all the keys in hand to understand the business world and then be able to set up his company.
"At the end of the EGC, I did not yet feel ready to set up my own structure.I continued on a department manager diploma thanks to a partnership between the University of Antilles and Guyana and the GBH group.»»
Caught up in the entrepreneurship virus
A graduate, Odile will exercise the trade of salesperson with a wholesaler in the distribution sector for cafes, hotels and restaurants for 7 years.
A very engaging professional life, a job that allows him to be comfortable financially, but in a small corner of her head, Odile feels that she saturates, that she is not fully fulfilled.
"I needed to evolve, to have an activity where I would have been freer of my time ... Commercial in the distribution, that does not stop, the pace is really very sustained.»»
Odile is caught up in the entrepreneurship virusfamilial.She begins to imagine her conceptautour of the dog and the cat.
"There are people like you and I who just want to pamper and take care of their pet, have fun and trendy accessories ..." Surprised by his enthusiasm for our four -legged friends, his entourage isperplexed as to the sector of activity chosen.“People have clearly wondered if it was going to walk in Martinique.But for about five years, things have changed and there is an evolution of society concerning pets.They are not all attached to a niche.Some are considered family members, much more than a companion ... and like any family member, we want them to be good and that they are not lacking in anything.»»
The young woman then embarked on a market study, refines her concept store and sets out to find a room.
“I have been looking for a place for two years in a center -by -center.I came across an owner who supported me, encouraged and who is quite flexible."The premises found in the District dread in Fort-de-France, Odile takes advantage of her experience acquired to find suppliers, set up her supply chain, develop his marketing strategy ...
"EGC is really a good school that allows you to see all aspects of the company.I was comfortable since in three years, we are prepared for that.Regarding suppliers, many of the brands found have trusted us to be an exclusive distributor in the Guyana Antilles area, ”she explains.All that remains is to convince the banks.Odile has equity, but admits having doubted the feasibility.
"I was lucky to have been supported in my project by BRED and she continues to believe it.»»
Odile nous présente le gilet de sauvetage pour chien. -
"I had to redevelop myself quickly"
In December 2019, "Leeptonandco" opened its doors to Redoute in Fort-de-France.
"Leepton", to pay tribute to the one who inspired the project to him, his beloved dog, and "Andco" ("and company") so that dogs and cats feel at home.
Immediately, the masters and their companions hang and discover a universe which is entirely dedicated to them.
Clothes of all kinds.From the jacket t-shirt, including the bow tie.We even unearthed the life jacket and the raincoat to go out doggie in rainy weather!Anti-grouton bowls for overly voracious dogs, heat pants, harness, safety belts, educational games, yes, yes, we always talk about dogs and cats!Transport bags, perfume, shampoo, essential oils ... There is even a red carpet, so that your hair balls pose.Finally everything you can imagine, or not, for your four -legged companion.
Besides, in "Leeptonandco", it is strongly recommended to come with your kitty or your doggie, whether large or small, unruly or poltron ...
"It’s really a space for the dog and the cat.People can come with them to try a garment, have advice, discover space.We also offer care for ears, nose ... We have chosen to have a range of environmentally friendly food, developed by veterinarians, high digestibility kibbles for all breeds, that'Animal is sedentary, hyperactive, gluten intolerant… ”
A paradise for dogs and cats!Business starts well for Odile who quickly surrounds himself with employees in order to meet the expectations of his customers.Clara, the groomer with more than 25 years of experience that she has been able to recruit thanks to Pôle Emploi, training assistants via Pôle Emploi.Until March 17, 2020 ... Date of the start of confinement.Being part of the shops selling animal food, Leeptonandco was able to remain open.Odile knows that she must redouble ingenuity so as not to jeopardize her business plan and see her dream are annihilated because of this unprecedented health crisis.
"I had to redevelop myself quickly by offering my customers the delivery of home kibbles, gift boxes for dogs and cats in order to better experience containment.Services I thought, but that I had to set up faster than expected in order to retain my customers. "
Since the launch of its structure, Odile has chosen not to pay wages and reinvest everything in service and personnel.
Soon a spa ...
“I devote myself to the development of the company.It’s not obvious every day, but I like entrepreneurship.I like this notion of adventure, of risk that we take.I say to myself every day: there is no reason that it does not work!"There are rather 10,000 reasons for it to work!Odile is so convinced that she will open in a few weeks, another shop, still in the center, which will offer ... a dog spa."I found a light therapy spa bathtub with jets ... The spa is the basis for dogs suffering from rheumatism, but this will allow a moment of relaxation to the dog's muscles and bones.It’s full of benefits.Unfortunately, we are going to be able to offer this service only to small dogs. "
His passion is communicative, almost contagious.She almost regrets us not to have a dog.Odile is full of ambition and wants to be able to offer the best to all people who "just want to pamper their animals" and also dog breeders and enthusiasts.
“We will set up advisory workshops to help people give the foundations, educate their animal.We surround ourselves with professionals, associations, in order to best advise people, "she said.
It will also develop a digital platform to offer Guadeloupeans and Guyanese the possibility of also ordering accessories.
"It's a team job and I want to emphasize it.I am the engine, but I am not alone.I get help for the digital strategy party, I surround myself with specialist employees to meet all customer needs and expectations.There is a whole universe around the dog and cat that needs to be exploited and there is room for everyone, "she says.
With her shop, Odile makes it a point of honor to be able to highlight the talent of other Martinican young people like that of Thomas Rose, creator of the "Neith Dogs" necklaces brand, which are actually luxury jewelry for dogs."I am a pure Pil product-product of the local industry-it is normal to do the same," she launches laughing.Like what, see like love - even of an animal - can give you wings, make you want to believe in your dreams ...
Rest assured, Odile’s life doesn’t turn around her bulldog, she also likes to enjoy her family and good times with friends.Parents and a close entourage who encouraged her, supported, helped to develop the shop, to paint ...
“I do not regret my past life.My days are long, much more full than before, but I am fulfilled and I have fun in what I do.After a while, it is not the money that takes over, but self-fulfillment, well-being.»»
Clara (la toiletteuse), Odile et Véronique (l'une des assistantes chez Leeptonandco). -
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