Networking, exchanging, sharing... these were the objectives of the Fighters Day organized on Saturday, June 26, jointly by Les Déterminés and Station F, on the latter's premises. The day was an opportunity for many "determined" entrepreneurs from the Fighters Program, but also apprentices, future entrepreneurs, students and employees to share their experience, vision, culture and to get advice on entrepreneurship. Report.
A motivational speech
"When I was younger, I knew that because I didn't have a lot of resources, the only chance I had to create things was with work."
It is with these words that Moussa Camara began his speech during the exchange on stage with Xavier Niel. To open this exceptional Fighters Day, the Free boss and the founder of Les Déterminés faced each other to answer questions from the moderator Noëlla Ligan. This was an opportunity for the two leaders to highlight their career paths and their vision of entrepreneurship. From this rich exchange in front of a packed room, we will remember these two sentences:
The first :
"It is the passion that pushes us to exceed our limits,
pronounced by Moussa Camara.
The second :
"It is determination and the desire to overcome the world that leads to success",
by Xavier Niel.
At the end of the discussion, the audience was impressed and happy to have witnessed this enriching exchange between two great and inspiring entrepreneurs. "They had a very motivating speech. I remember that whatever the idea, you have to believe in yourself and go for it", said Christian, 30 years old, an architect who dreams of creating an innovative architecture firm.
Next to her, Alexia, 29, a former entrepreneur now employed in the field of blockchain, has the same opinion. Invited by Station F, she says she came to "re-inspire" herself:
"You learn a lot from the feedback of people who have done it. And the speeches of Xavier and Moussa are extremely inspiring. It's important to see where they started from and where they got to," says the young woman.
After Moussa Camara and Xavier Niel, Louis Saha and Nadia Benabdelouahed, both former sportsmen and women who became entrepreneurs, shared their experiences. They spoke at the workshop "From high-level athletes to entrepreneurs" and explained the reasons why they started their own business and the keys that enabled them to succeed.
Find a real network
1pm, lunch break for everyone... except for the Determined team. Rania, Chloé, Myriam, Siryn, Kheira, Valère and Aïssatou took turns at the association's booth to answer the questions of the day's visitors. "How do you apply to Les Déterminés? "How long does the training last?" or "What are the criteria required to integrate a promotion?" are some of the questions they had to answer. And among the young people present in front of the stand, Mady, 20 years old, in civic service as a young volunteer. He came on the advice of a friend and knows what he is looking for.
"I came to meet entrepreneurs who have started their business to ask for advice, exchange contacts and why not initiate future collaborations. I plan to launch my marketing and digital agency", he confides.
On her right, Fatouma, 25, a history student, fills out the contact form to be called back by the Determined team. She also has an entrepreneurial project.
"I'm very interested in the Determined program because I know I'll be able to find a real network and good support," she smiles.
Turnkey tools for a successful business
At 2pm, the workshops resume and the atmosphere becomes more animated in the hall of Station F with speeches from prestigious entrepreneurs who come to tell their story at the microphone. Among them, Abdelaali El Badaoui, founder and president of Banlieues Santé and "determined" of the 8th class. After recalling his childhood with emotion to explain his commitment and his choice to create Banlieues Santé, the nurse answers questions from the audience about his experience.
Meanwhile, in the auditorium, Cyril Ghezel, program director at Les Déterminés and serial entrepreneur, gave a workshop on the business model.
"This is the key element and the foundation of your project, it's what everything will be based on. No business model, no money," he says to the audience, who listen attentively, taking notes.
Find contacts
On the upper floor, Hanane, 25, a pharmacist, is not yet working on her business model but needs advice to fine-tune her entrepreneurial project. She talks with Mohamed Camara, 24, a "determined" member of class 12 and co-founder of Uncle J, a start-up that sells and rents reconditioned pairs of sneakers. The young man, who is also part of the Fighters Program, gives her a contact to solve one of the problems she faces in her project.
"I'm here to discover The Determined and Fighters Day," says Hanane, smiling, before adding, "I'm not disappointed. I'm leaving with at least one contact and my batteries recharged with good vibes."
"I'm here to discover The Determined and Fighters Day," says Hanane, smiling, before adding, "I'm not disappointed. I'm leaving with at least one contact and my batteries recharged with good vibes."
"We're trying to give people the keys that we would have loved to have before we started. We didn't have an event like that," he says.
Other great workshops, other constructive exchanges and other talented entrepreneurs followed one another throughout the day, making Fighters Day a great promotion of diversity in entrepreneurship.
