Thursday, October 10, 2024, took place the “young businesses” evening organized by the Côte Ouest Center Manche community of communes, in partnership with the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Coutances, in Lessay (Manche). For this first edition in the region, twenty people, or fourteen companies, were present.
This evening is a continuation of the company cafés which take place regularly in the area with business-related themes. David Rouxel, economic manager of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts, specifies: “We regularly organize, with the communities of municipalities, thematic evenings intended for young businesses. The objective being that people can introduce themselves, also get to know the community and the different interlocutors, but above all create connections and networks. »
Discussions around positive and negative points
Different trades were represented, including furniture makeover, beautician, agricultural equipment repair, metal welding, painting and renovation, maintenance of green spaces, photographer, IT cybersecurity advice, plumbing, heating engineer, kitchen workshops and even roasters.
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This evening of discussions made it possible to highlight the positive points, as well as the negative points which, for some, were able to find solutions or avenues for reflection. The lack of time to communicate well and commercially promote the company comes up very often.
Communication, administration, commerce…
Gisèle Grimal, who has a furniture makeover business, points out: “I still have a lot of things to do, I don't have enough time to do commercial promotion. » Same thinking for several companies, notably for Dorine Lebranchu, photographer. “It's a lot of word of mouth, finding the first customers is not easy, because we have to wear several hats: communication, administrative management, commercial promotion. »
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David Rouxel emphasized that during training within the CMA, the point of communication is addressed. “The first step is the local network. For small businesses, commercial promotion is very important: communication must be emphasized. »
All the companies present were able to benefit from support from the West Coast Center Manche community, as well as from the Coutances Chamber of Trades and Crafts. An upcoming meeting day is organized by the CMA to become an artisan, at the future artisans fair, in Coutances, Thursday November 21, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
