Microcrédit Montréal

Thalia Nguyen, founder of Niim Beauty Academy: making her business dream a reality with Microcredit Montréal

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:38:03 +0000

Thalia Nguyen is the founder and owner of Niim Beauty Academy, a Montreal-based salon that provides professional nail services and high‑quality training for individuals aspiring to master the art of nail care.

Thalia Nguyen | Niim Beauty Academy

Thalia Nguyen, founder of Niim Beauty Academy: making her business dream a reality with Microcredit Montréal

Arriving in Canada on New Year’s Eve 2016, Thalia left Vietnam to begin a new chapter of her life. Back home, she had already started learning nail techniques, initially as a small student job to support herself during her studies. But what began as a simple side project soon became a true passion, one that would ultimately transform the course of her life.

When she first arrived, Thalia spoke very little French or English. Communicating with her clients was a daily challenge, but her determination to perfect her nail skills also drove her to improve her language abilities and gain confidence. Through working with returning clients, she built valuable relationships, found support, and gradually began to feel at home in her new country.

“Doing nails really brought me out of my shell,” she recalls.

Starting a business in Montreal to make a difference

Thalia’s journey in entrepreneurship started as co-owner of a nail salon in the West Island, where she first gained experience training others by sharing her nail techniques with her employees. It was there that she also recognized a broader need.

“Many immigrant women came to me looking for work, but they lacked the skills and training to do the job. It reminded me of my own beginnings,” she explains.

From this insight, an idea was born: to create a training program that teaches nail techniques while also helping learners develop personally and professionally. The positive feedback from her first students confirmed she was on the right path.

Turning ambitions into action with women's entrepreneurship training

On a client’s recommendation, Thalia decided to enroll in Microcredit Montréal’s women’s entrepreneurship training.

“The program became a stepping stone, helping me better understand being an entrepreneur through hands-on content that gave me the confidence to move forward with my business idea.”

In December 2024, Thalia opened her own salon: Niim Beauty Academy. Located on the Plateau, it combines nail services with a training program for those who want to learn professional nail skills.

The challenge was significant, as Thalia had to leave a loyal clientele and start over elsewhere. Yet she looked beyond this, aiming to create a space for learning and growth where future technicians could not only master their craft but also build confidence, interpersonal skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all while continuing to provide high-quality nail services to a wide-ranging clientele. Throughout this process, Thalia benefited from the ongoing guidance and support of Microcredit Montréal, even after the training was complete.

A vision for growth

Today, Thalia’s business is thriving. She is working on putting solid systems in place to ensure sustainable growth and is already dreaming of expanding her offerings with online training, making her expertise accessible to even more women.

From a shy young newcomer to a successful entrepreneur and inspiring trainer, Thalia perfectly demonstrates how perseverance, generosity, and solidarity can turn a dream into reality.

Niim Beauty Academy

niimbeautyacademy.com

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Diana, owner of Plantaisie | Growing a business rooted in passion and perseverance

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 19:29:31 +0000

Diana Saucedo is the owner and founder of Plantaisie, a welcoming plant store featuring a wide selection of greenery. Located in Verdun, the store also offers a variety of wellness and home décor products, as well as community-focused activities, including workshops and pop-up markets.

Diana Saucedo | owner of Plantaisie

Diana, owner of Plantaisie | Growing a business rooted in passion and perseverance

When Diana arrived in Canada 15 years ago, she knew she would have to reinvent herself. Speaking neither French nor English, she was starting from scratch in a new country. Her first venture into entrepreneurship began as a nail technician, renting a small space in a salon. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t her long-term path.

“I saw it as something temporary,
just until I got my permanent residency,” she recalls.

It wasn’t until the pandemic that she discovered what truly made her happy: plants.

“For the first time in my adult life, I had the time to do whatever I liked at home. That’s when I realized how much I loved caring for plants,” she says.

From Facebook Marketplace seller to store owner

And so, during the pandemic, Diana began selling plants on Facebook Marketplace while still working as a nail technician. What started as a small side business quickly grew into a true passion, and Diana began wondering how she could turn it into something more sustainable.

That question led her to enroll in Microcredit Montreal’s women’s entrepreneurship training, on the recommendation of a nail client who had completed the program herself.

“The entrepreneurship classes helped me give structure to my idea. Before that, I didn’t know how to move forward,” Diana explains.

Her client, who eventually became a close friend, also invited her to participate in local markets to sell her plants in person. Those experiences proved invaluable.

“Selling in person allowed me to see what customers liked, what worked with different types of clients, and what people were more comfortable buying online versus in person,” she says.

Using Microcredit to Finance Your First Business

Between 2021 and 2024, Diana worked tirelessly toward her goal of opening her own shop. In 2024, that dream became a reality with the launch of Plantaisie, a plant and home décor store that reflects her love for beauty, greenery, and connection.

Getting there wasn’t easy. “The biggest obstacle was financial,” she admits. The second challenge was finding the right location. “I visited many spaces with my broker. Some were too far from the metro, others didn’t have enough foot traffic. It took time to find the perfect spot.”

With the support of a loan from Microcredit Montréal, Diana was able to bring her vision to life. Beyond the financial support, the team guided her every step of the way, even visiting the chosen location and helping organize a pop-up market to attract customers after the store’s opening.

Building a Resilient Business Through Income Diversification

Today, Plantaisie is thriving and expanding rapidly. Beyond offering plants and décor, Diana has created a space where people can connect and learn, hosting a variety of workshops and occasional pop-up markets. In the near term, she plans to optimize her space to accommodate even more workshops, helping others invest in their wellbeing while discovering the joy of plants and creative outlets.

“When people ask me how I did it, I tell them that first, you need an idea,” she says. “But turning that idea into reality takes structure, guidance, and support. Partnering with an organization like Microcredit Montréal gives you the tools and confidence you need to make it happen.”

Plantaisie

4752 de Verdun St.
514 765-8080

plantaisie.ca

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Investors Report – December 2025

microcredit — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 21:49:40 +0000

Download the Investor Report December 2025

L’article Investors Report – December 2025 est apparu en premier sur Microcrédit Montréal.

Elisa and Nicolas | Co-founders of CIVISION

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:13:23 +0000

Elisa Groslier and her partner, Nicolas Iglésias, are the co-founders of CIVISION, a Montreal-based company offering an innovative digital solution that predicts the economic and social impacts of various urban and territorial projects, through data pooling and artificial intelligence.

Elisa and Nicolas | Co-founders of CIVISION

Originally from France, Nicolas and Elisa were first colleagues at a consulting firm before becoming a couple. Long driven by the desire to live abroad and start a business, they made this shared dream a reality by moving to Canada in 2021, with the goal of quickly founding their own company.

Upon arriving in Montreal, Elisa completed a certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship management at HEC Montréal, adding to her master’s degree in international business. For his part, Nicolas began a certificate in data analysis, also at HEC Montréal, which complements his master’s degree in economic intelligence.

Just four months after their arrival, they launched their business with support from the Base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal, a university innovation hub aimed at advancing the next generation of tech and impact-driven entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship: A Driver of Social Innovation

It was through their work as consultants in territorial strategy that Nicolas and Elisa were able to identify key challenges in their field. They observed, in particular, strong competition between cities seeking to attract businesses, each needing to highlight its unique features. Yet, when trying to convince a company to set up in a region, the arguments presented often remain general.

Nicolas also noted the deployment of certain business projects in regions affected by deindustrialization, accompanied by promises of job creation. However, due to a lack of adequate data, the companies behind these projects failed to realize that the local population did not have the necessary qualifications to fill the proposed positions.

With these issues in mind, they set out to design an analytical platform capable of simulating, planning, and optimizing urban or commercial projects using demographic, socioeconomic, and ESG data linked to specific territories.

“We said to ourselves, we need to create a solution that can determine whether a project is suited to the population it targets and whether it will benefit them. That’s one of the reasons we created CIVISION,” explains Nicolas.

Temporary residents and entrepreneurs: a success made possible

Like many entrepreneurs, one of the main challenges they faced when launching their business was securing funding. Due to their status as temporary residents, very few grants were available to them, and access to loans was even more limited. It was through HEC Montréal Entrepreneurial Base that they were connected with Microcrédit Montréal, where they were able to obtain a loan available to temporary residents.

“We were incredibly lucky that Microcredit Montréal opened its program to temporary residents,” says Nicolas. “We were among the first beneficiaries, and we’re proud of that,” adds Elisa.

Thanks to this loan, Nicolas and Elisa were able to recruit various experts to build their internal team. This financial support also opened the door to other financial partners who were convinced by Microcredit Montréal’s involvement.

“Beyond the loan, Microcredit Montréal has a vast network, and they’re always there to connect us with the best collaborators to help grow our business,” Nicolas emphasizes.

Local impact, global vision

When they first started, there were only two of them—today, the CIVISION team has grown to eight employees and covers 60% of Quebec’s territory. Their clients are primarily government and municipal organizations, including regional county municipality (MRC) economic development agencies.

The future looks bright for the two co-founders, who are currently in negotiations with major public and private sector players. When asked about their outlook, they express a clear desire to grow their client base in the private sector, particularly among real estate and urban investors. In the coming months, they will focus their efforts on rolling out their solution across Canada, with the ambition of expanding internationally.

“If we can build our territory more intelligently to serve the population, we’d love for everyone to benefit. We want to contribute to sustainable projects that improve access to local services and jobs—tailored to people’s needs and aspirations,” Nicolas concludes.

CIVISION

| civision.org

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Christian De Stoop | Business Transfer Advisor for the Montréal region at Repreneuriat Québec, and a member of both the Investment Committee

admin — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:10:52 +0000

In a constantly evolving economic context, business succession is positioning itself as a strategic and often underestimated pathway to entrepreneurship. In Quebec, more and more entrepreneurs are choosing to take over an existing business, benefiting from an established customer base, an operational structure already in place, and tangible financial records.

Christian De Stoop | Business Transfer Advisor for the Montréal region at Repreneuriat Québec

Christian De Stoop | Business Transfer Advisor for the Montréal region at Repreneuriat Québec, and a member of both the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of Microcrédit Montréal.

Christian De Stoop | Business Transfer Advisor for the Montréal region at Repreneuriat Québec, and a member of both the Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of Microcrédit Montréal, talks to us about this pathway to entrepreneurship in this interview.

What is business succession, and why is it an attractive option for becoming an entrepreneur?

Business succession refers to the act of taking over an existing business rather than creating a new one. This involves an individual purchasing all or part of an already active business with the goal of managing, developing, or transforming it.

While we still need emerging businesses, starting one can be challenging for many. The alternative is to purchase an existing business, which already has a customer base and a team in place, as well as a product or service refined over the years. Such a business enjoys a solid reputation and has a proven business model. All of this makes taking over a business less risky and often easier in terms of financing.

Is business succession growing in Quebec?

Since 2021, business succession has surpassed the creation of new businesses in Quebec. Although business succession has always existed, it now offers increasing opportunities, particularly due to an aging population, which results in more businesses seeking new ownership. At the same time, a significant portion of the population aged 30 to 50 possesses solid professional experience and financial means and aspires to start their own business.

The goal is to create a bridge between these two groups to make the opportunities offered by business succession known to both.

How does business succession contribute to Quebec’s economy?

Business succession plays a key role in Quebec’s economy by ensuring the sustainability of existing SMEs and promoting the retention of their ownership within the province. By facilitating the transfer of businesses to new owners—often younger and more innovative—it helps preserve jobs, local expertise, and economic assets, while injecting a new entrepreneurial drive. This process also supports regional vitality, stimulates investment, and promotes economic growth by preventing the closure of thousands of viable businesses due to a lack of succession.

How can microcredit help in acquiring a business?

Microcredit can play a crucial role in business acquisition by providing accessible financing to entrepreneurs who may not have access to traditional bank loans, often due to insufficient collateral or limited credit history.

This type of financing helps cover immediate needs related to the takeover, such as purchasing equipment, initial inventory, or legal fees, and is often accompanied by personalized support and business development advice.

If someone wants to explore business succession to develop their entrepreneurial project, what should they do?

Do your research before taking the plunge! Taking over a business cannot be improvised—it is a true learning process. It is essential to carefully reflect on your project, ask yourself the right questions, and determine if you have what it takes to be a successor. If the answer is yes, the next steps are to identify the types of businesses that suit you and clarify what you are looking for.

Don’t hesitate to discuss your plans with family, friends, or professionals with relevant experience. Guidance is the key to success. Business succession is not just a simple transfer of a company—it’s about giving a business new life by bringing your own vision to it!

Would you like to learn more about Repreneuriat Québec?

Visit repreneuriat.quebec

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“The Seven Witches” | Co-owners of La Tétro

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 17:02:57 +0000

Just over a year ago, seven determined women came together to create La Tétro, a socially responsible event cooperative located in the quiet neighborhood of Tétreauville. Kim Dutremble, one of the co-owners, shares their inspiring entrepreneurial journey.

“The Seven Witches” | Co-owners of La Tétro | ©Saphir Optimiste

On the photo from left to right Émilie Grau, Suzie Miron et Kim Dutremble

“The Seven Witches” | Co-owners of La Tétro

It was following the closure of Espace Tétro Coop, due to financial difficulties, that seven residents of Tétreauville decided to join forces to revive this beloved neighborhood cabaret under a new name: La Tétro.

For most of them, it was their first leap into the world of entrepreneurship. According to Kim, it’s the diversity of their professional backgrounds and the complementarity of their skills that make this committed team successful. “We really have a mix of different strengths, which makes for a real force. Everyone brings their own flavor,” she explains.

From the start, they aimed to create an inclusive and welcoming space that invites locals to gather, share, and most of all, have fun! To truly understand La Tétro, you have to understand its neighborhood, commonly called the Far East of Montreal or T-Town. Nestled between the river and Highway 25, Tétreauville is seen by its residents as an urban village, rich in community spirit and mutual support.

Preparing to Launch a Business Project

For six months, the seven co-owners worked tirelessly to get their project off the ground. To maximize their chances of success, Kim enrolled in Parcours COOP, accompanied by one of the other co-owners. This training and coaching program, specialized for cooperatives, helped them better define their business model and identify their revenue streams. It was through this process that they decided to add venue rentals to the company’s service offering, contributing to its financial sustainability.

In alignment with their values, the co-owners also partnered with other cooperatives and organizations in the neighborhood to prepare for La Tétro’s opening, including a marketing expert to promote the new space.

Financing the Business with Microcredit Montréal

With high startup costs, a lack of financial resources was one of the biggest challenges the entrepreneurs faced. To protect their financial well-being, they decided to create an emergency fund for the business.

On the advice of someone in their network, they reached out to Microcredit Montréal to apply for a loan, which they successfully obtained. Beyond financial stability, the loan gave them peace of mind and a sense of security in the face of the unexpected.

For now, all of La Tétro’s revenues are reinvested in the cooperative, and each co-owner continues to work full-time outside of the business. “Yes, we’re doing it to earn money, but first and foremost, we’re doing it for our neighborhood and for our own well-being,” Kim adds.

©Saphir Optimiste

A Neighborhood Space for All of Montreal

When asked “How is the co-op doing today?”, Kim answers enthusiastically: “Nothing but good things!”

In May 2025, La Tétro celebrated its first anniversary! Today, this warm and welcoming space is well-known and enjoys a regular clientele that extends beyond the borders of Tétreauville. The regulars make it a mission to welcome new visitors into the big family that is La Tétro.

Each week, a diverse program highlights culture, while activities for both families and adults are also offered. Whether you come solo, as a couple, with your family, or with friends, there’s something for everyone—and everyone is welcome!

Their full event schedule and information on venue rental can be found on their website: latetrocoop.ca

La Tétro Coop

8628 Hochelaga Street
514 467-0033

latetrocoop@gmail.com | Facebook | Instagram

Just like La Tétro, would you also like to benefit from financial support and coaching from Microcredit Montréal to bring your business ideas to life?

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Armel and Jackie, Co-owners of Studios Uplift514 | Dance Studio and Cultural Space

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:46:56 +0000

United by a passion for dance, Armel Omatoko and Jackie Traoré are co-owners of Studios Uplift514 in the Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie neighborhood. A key player in the Montreal dance scene, this dynamic space is dedicated to promoting Afro-urban dances and Afro-descendant cultures.

Armel et Jackie | Co-owners of Studios Uplift514 | ©Saphir Optimiste

Armel and Jackie, Co-owners of Studios Uplift514 | Dance Studio and Cultural Space

Armel and Jackie both considered themselves citizens of the world before settling in Montreal. It was in 2015, after meeting on a dance floor, that they decided to go into business together by founding Uplift514.

At the time, Armel was working with youth. It was at the youth center Maison des jeunes l’Escampette that he first began teaching dance, which later inspired him to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

“I wanted to take something that had always been part of my life [dance] and turn it into something serious, something I would commit to fully,” he explains.

As for Jackie, she was completing a bachelor’s degree in English Literature at the Université de Montréal, which sparked her passion for all things art-related—a major shift for her, as she had initially studied computer science.

Growing Your Business While Managing Risk

To build their clientele while minimizing risk, Armel and Jackie initially rented various spaces to launch their project. Based on their skills, they agreed that Armel would be in charge of teaching while Jackie would handle the administrative side of the business. Step by step, they developed their service offering and succeeded in building a regular clientele that has become like a real family to them.

To better meet the growing needs of their clients, they decided in 2023 to take a calculated risk and open their own studio—an artistic and community-centered space. At that point, Armel and Jackie began questioning their business model and how to ensure its long-term viability. That’s when they first connected with Microcredit Montréal.

Entrepreneurial Support: A Key Factor in Their Success

In addition to helping them secure a loan to finance their business, Microcredit Montréal provided strategic advice in marketing and business development, as well as significant support in improving the physical layout of their new studio. “Getting into entrepreneurship is diving into the unknown. Having people who supported us, advised us, helped us think things through and offered us tools—that really helped us,” says Armel.

Despite their many successes, the business partners also faced challenges. Hiring teachers and assigning roles and responsibilities within the team has involved a lot of trial and error. “Beyond that, there’s also an inner struggle to not give up—to keep pushing and to lean on each other,” Armel adds.

Today, Studios Uplift514 has four teachers and a clientele from across Montreal and surrounding areas. “We love what we do, but we’re still growing—both as individuals and as a project,” Jackie notes.

©Saphir Optimiste

More Than Just a Dance Studio: A Movement

Since the beginning, Armel and Jackie have aimed to create a community space for learning, expression, and growth—well beyond just classes and performances. With this mission in mind, they look to the future with great enthusiasm and optimism.

There’s no shortage of projects at Studios Uplift514! In addition to recently launching an intensive program for semi-professional dancers specializing in Afro-urban styles, they also plan to invest more in cultural projects.

“We want to offer artist residencies and collaborations with various businesses and institutions. Our goal is to create initiatives that further promote Afro-descendant cultures,” says Armel.

In this spirit, Armel and Jackie also plan to organize trips with their students to immerse them in the cultures they celebrate.

With an unwavering sense of community, Jackie adds that they also want to take concrete steps toward becoming a socially responsible business. “We’re a cultural business, but also a social enterprise, and we want to have a bigger impact in society,” she adds.

Lately, the entire Uplift514 team has been busy preparing for the summer season, during which they will offer outdoor performances and a summer camp. Their full programming and class offerings are available on their website.

Studios Uplift514

5425 rue de Bordeaux, #335

info@uplift514.com | uplift514.com

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Eva and Samuel, co-owners of Le Terminus | A 100% local café-grocery store

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:30:10 +0000

Eva Genos and her husband Samuel Chouinard are the proud owners of Le Terminus, a café-grocery store located at 755 Berri Street in the iconic former Gare Viger building.
Fully local and eco-responsible, the business promotes sustainable consumption by highlighting local products and the use of returnable containers.

Eva and Samuel, co-owners of Le Terminus | A 100% local café-grocery store

Originally from France, Eva began her entrepreneurial journey in her home country, in the restaurant industry. After arriving in Quebec, she completed a Diploma of Vocational Studies in accounting and worked as a manager in various bakeries and pastry shops in Montreal, always with the goal of one day opening her own café.

For Samuel, although this is his first experience in entrepreneurship, he brings several years of project management experience. “I knew I wanted to start a business, but I wasn’t sure what kind,” he explains. With this in mind, he completed a business startup training program, building on his studies in construction management and carpentry.

“Our two skill sets really complemented each other—me on the grocery and café management side, and him on the construction side of the project,” says Eva.

Assessing customer needs

As residents of Old Montreal themselves, Eva and Samuel quickly noticed the lack of grocery stores for local residents and workers. It was in response to this food desert that they decided to open a café-grocery store in this trendy part of the city.

The couple began searching for a location for their business venture and ultimately chose the former Gare Viger, a historic site in the heart of Old Montreal. Despite its many advantages, the space posed a major challenge, as it needed to be completely reimagined. With Samuel’s construction expertise, they took on the large-scale project with confidence.

Financing your business through microcredit

Like many entrepreneurs, financing the business was their greatest challenge. The high-risk nature of their sector, along with Eva’s temporary immigration status, made traditional funding sources out of reach. As a result, they turned to alternative financing methods, including microcredit.

To reach their financing goal, the couple approached several organizations and launched a crowdfunding campaign through La Ruche. As part of this effort, they applied for and successfully received a loan from Microcredit Montréal. More than just financial support, this new partnership gave their project the credibility needed to secure backing from other financial partners, such as PME MTL. “It was a cornerstone of our financial success,” says Samuel.

To this day, Eva and Samuel continue to benefit from their relationship with Microcredit Montréal. In addition to marketing and business development advice, their advisor regularly shares tools and resources to support the growth of their business.

“Of all the organizations supporting our project, Microcredit Montréal is the one that follows up with us the most and makes the greatest effort to give us exposure. There’s a real commitment to helping us succeed,” adds Eva.

Growing your business through the seasons

Le Terminus opened its doors in October 2024. Less than a year later, business is going relatively well. “We’re happy. We’re confident,” they both say enthusiastically.

The couple eagerly awaits the summer season, which promises to boost traffic to the café-grocery store. To make the most of the warmer months, they plan on setting up a terrace, much to the delight of tourists and local residents alike. It will be a great opportunity for many to discover this new spot and make it their own!

Looking further ahead, Samuel mentions that they hope to develop a catering service for corporate events and transform the space into a more community-oriented hub. “We have a big space, and we’d love to organize workshops and other activities to really bring it to life!”

Le Terminus is open from Sunday to Friday and offers a wide range of local and bulk products, along with delicious homemade meals to enjoy on-site or for take-out.

Le Terminus

755 Berri Street
514 360-7757

Instagram

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Investors Report – June 2025

admin — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 16:25:10 +0000

Download the Investor Report June 2025

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Nicolas, owner of Tech-Nick Informatique | Serving the community with your expertise through business succession

admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:04:08 +0000

Owner of Tech-Nick Informatique, Nicolas Tremblay, a member of the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, chose business succession as a way to develop his entrepreneurial project. Located in the Tétreaultville neighborhood, the company offers repair services for computers, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.

Nicolas, owner of Tech-Nick Informatique | Serving the community with your expertise through business succession

As far back as he can remember, Nicolas has always wanted to be an entrepreneur. A few experiences as an employee quickly confirmed his choice. At the young age of 18, he registered his first business to offer IT services as a freelancer.

It was a natural step for Nicolas, who has been passionate about technology since childhood. In fact, his father also worked in IT and regularly brought home old computers that he and his brother would play with for hours. A true passion began to grow in Nicolas and only strengthened over the years.

“In high school, I used to repair computers and game consoles for people around me. At 18, I decided to start offering this service to the public,” he explains.

Transforming your passion into a business

A self-taught entrepreneur, Nicolas is committed to transforming his passion into a thriving business. Bit by bit, he honed his skills and built up a customer base, eventually achieving a major dream: owning a storefront. In September 2024, he acquired Micro PC Plus, a computer and mobile device repair business that had been operating for over 20 years in Montréal. The former owner immediately saw Nicolas as the ideal successor and even adjusted the sale price to ensure the transition! As part of the agreement, Nicolas inherited a well-known brand, the store’s inventory, and its clientele—adding to his own customer base.

Financing a business acquisition with microcredit

To fund the business acquisition, Nicolas first approached banks but was unsuccessful. On a friend’s advice, he applied for a loan with Microcredit Montréal, which he was granted shortly thereafter. “I was surprised at how quickly they processed my application, especially considering I was working under tight deadlines.”

In addition to funding the purchase of Micro-PC Plus, the loan allowed him to increase his in-store inventory, enabling him to offer turnkey services to his clients and diversify his revenue streams.
Microcredit Montréal also provided Nicolas with valuable support during the lease signing process to protect his interests and ensure the transaction complied with the law.

Taking care of yourself as an entrepreneur

Now 28 years old, Nicolas is optimistic about the future. After years of supplementing his income with side jobs, he is now thrilled to be fully self-sufficient thanks to his business. This new chapter has given him better work-life balance, which he sees as a major challenge for many entrepreneurs. “As an entrepreneur, it’s not always possible to leave your business for two weeks to go on vacation, but it’s still important to take time for yourself,” he adds.

Less than a year after taking over, the business is growing and doing better than ever. In fact, Nicolas is actively looking to hire a part-time employee to allow him to focus more on business development, more specifically with corporate clients. “I still have things to learn, but I’m doing pretty well so far,” he concludes with a laugh.

Tech-Nick Informatique is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To learn more about the services offered, visit technick.info.

Business succession: a promising path to entrepreneurship

With many business owners nearing retirement, business takeovers are becoming an increasingly attractive opportunity in Quebec. This business model not only helps preserve jobs and local expertise, but also offers new entrepreneurs a chance to launch with a solid foundation. “We need emerging businesses, but that’s a tough path. The alternative is to buy an existing business, which already has a client base, a team in place, and a product or service that has been refined over the years. It already has a good reputation. All of this makes acquiring a business less risky and easier to finance,” explains Christian De Stoop, regional advisor at the Centre de transfert d’entreprise du Québec (CTEQ) and member of Microcredit Montréal’s investment committee. To learn more about CTEQ, visit ctequebec.com.

Tech-Nick Informatique

2347 des Ormeaux Street
514 353-4333

technick.info | Facebook

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