Frédéric Helbecque has taken over the tobacco bar Le Tandem in Lachapelle-aux-Pots (Oise). Bérenger Duval became a carpenter in the hamlet of Armentière, in Lachapelle-aux-Pots. Julien Georgen has taken over the green spaces company in which he has worked for twenty years in Saint-Germer-de-Fly. Marion Ratieuville has taken over a beauty institute in Lachapelle-aux-Pots. Finally, Patricia Bokalo took over the tobacco bar Le Sulky in Saint-Germer-de-Fly.
All these people have one thing in common. They were helped by the network Oise West Initiative and by the community of communes of Pays de Bray for their installation. A rather welcome help when you want to embark on the adventure of entrepreneurship. “We intervene for the creation or takeover of a business», explains Vanessa Foulon, director of the Oise Ouest initiative.
Zero interest loans
Funded by communities, the Initiative Oise Ouest network supports new entrepreneurs in their efforts. “It is often the banks that refer them to ussays Vanessa Foulon. We take stock with them, we put together a financial file, and our committee will grant them a zero-interest loan or not. If it is ok, the funds are released. Then we accompany them. They have three to five years to repay the loan.»
In the west of Oise alone, 120 entrepreneurs are supported each year. Their number rises to 500 throughout the department. “In the west, the Beauvais agglomeration drains a lot of waterspecifies the director of the local network. In the community of communes of Pays de Bray, we supported six this year.» Which made it possible, in this rural area, to create or maintain 17 jobs. Sometimes with great stories, like that of Julien Georgen.
From apprentice to business manager
When he was in 9th grade, Julien Georgen did his internship in a landscaping company. Later, he joined it as an apprentice, then an employee, a team leader, and finally an executive, before buying it back in the summer of 2024. “I’ve been here for twenty yearssmiles the 37-year-old neo-entrepreneur. It has always been a personal project.» Bérenger Duval, for his part, retrained as a carpenter after a career in industrial technical inspection. “Working with wood was my passion for around fifteen years.he says. Thanks to requests from loved ones, and a passion for my old profession which was waning, I took the plunge!»
In total, €117,000 in honorary loans were granted this year in the Pays de Bray.
