My wife had joined us for the Secretariat

David and Katy Boncorps, multi-franchisés Cartridge World "we walk through the joys and concerns at the same time."

David and Katy Boncorps, multi-franchisés Cartridge World at Troyes, Reims, Auxerre and Châlons-en-Champagne

A seductive concept

"Initially, the idea was to find a new experience for my wife, explains David Boncorps.". After having been responsible for a ready-to-wear boutique, Katy had developed his professional career in parentheses for a few years to care for our three children. "In December 2003, the couple falls on an advertisement of the Cartridge World Australian sign that seduced: recharge of cartridges seems a market with high potential. "We had an appointment the evening of Christmas with the branch in France who completed persuade us." In March 2004, the couple fly in Australia for 15 days of training. Their store, one of the top ten in France, a month later at Troyes and meeting immediately opened an excellent home, also well for individuals and professionals.

Partners in equal shares

Initially, Katy had to manage the single store, but both spouses are finally associated with equal shares in the case. Because their activity continues to develop. With the rise rapidly from their store of Troyes, the couple decided to open other: Reims in January 2005, Auxerre in August 2005, Châlons-en-Champagne in October 2007 Their project is to hold 7 Cartridge World stores in total. A success which requires the involvement of both spouses as co-gérants. After avoir worked ten years in the insurance, David had also want to change the métier "The distribution of roles has been defined from departure: Katy handles orders, technical training of the teams and the holding of stores in the absence of employees, while I take support negotiations with suppliers, human resources, the animation of the teams and business training."

Invasive professional life

This adventure represents a shift for the entire family. "With four stores to manage, our days end ever, which is weighing 12, 10 and 8 years old kids." They have also become a Cartridge World! "38 And 36 years, David and Katy Boncorps hope to have more time to devote to their privacy by one or two years, when they will have enough teams in place. In the meantime, either one or the other releases on Wednesday to accompany the children in their various activities. And on Sunday is entirely reserved to the family "But when we live professional tensions, it is difficult to leave them aside." We walk through the joys and concerns at the same time: this is an exciting experience, but that does not facilitate making retreat! Will we take our balance.

"We were doomed to succeed".

Christian and Catherine Bereaud, franchisees Countess of Barry in Annecy (Haute-Savoie)

A family history

Entered the network Countess of the Barry ten years ago, Christian and Catherine Bereaud always worked in the family trade. "Before, I wanted a case of ready-to-wear in Vendée with my parents and my brother, explains Christian Bereaud." My wife had joined us for the Secretariat. "But the industry becoming more and more difficult, the couple needed to breathe. In 1999, they decided to leave the sea to the mountains and settled in the Alps, where they often spent their holidays. "At the beginning we had in mind sell regional products in lying" But when we learned that the shop of gastronomy Countess du Barry freed in Annecy, we we're decided very quickly. Our predecessors, also in pairs, much helped us start.

Well distributed roles

Although Christian Bereaud was engine for this project, his wife quickly embraced. It Manager, it is employed, everything is "naturally". The roles are well distributed: Christian deals with commands, Catherine manages the Bank and "paperwork", and both sell. "It is not always easy to be set permanently, but we have a great complicity: we often think the same thing the same moment". We try not to talk about work outside the shop, but it is not easy: it's our life! "Children are great; one of them is hospitality studies and helping end of the year. The rest of the time, they do work that both. "At the age of 50, we are left to zero." We have invested our House in the case: we are condemned to succeed! Our only regret is not having the choice earlier.

"We are very complementary.

Isabelle Arthaud and François Rouit, Piscinelle franchisees to Gap (Hautes-Alpes)

To share experiences

Engineer in public works, François Rouit worked for 15 years in France and abroad. His companion, Isabelle Arthaud, taught French in England before try in the sale of furniture design. In 2007, they decided to pool their experiences to work together. "We seek a creative product of wood," says François Rouit. The high concept of construction of pools of Piscinelle range us interested. We therefore made contact with several pairs of franchisees of the network: they convinced us.

Each function

Without PACS or marriage contract, the couple made the choice to partner with 50-50, "to none do feel dominated by the other". They are distributed functions according to their competencies: Isabelle manages the sales, François is on the ground. "We are very complementary, because our business is based on the commercial on the technique." Our clients appreciate to have interlocutors on these two aspects. "The golden rule Not to encroach on the other.

Continue to work together

Isabelle and Francis take their case only, without employees. Hence a high amplitude time, difficult to reconcile with the school rate of their 7-year-old son. "During the holidays, he comes to the talking". He knows by heart our range of swimming pools! "And financially, the couple is not yet in a position to pay two salaries. So, ask to lower the arms. "The economic environment is not favourable, but we are happy to be salaried and work together." Whatever happens, we will try to keep a common commercial activity.

"We learn to do both things."

Isabelle and Patrick Bordeaux, franchisees the slaughter at Blois (Loir-et-Cher)

A big step forward

The adventure has only just begun: Isabelle and Patrick Bordeaux opened their restaurant the slaughter at Blois 3 months ago, on February 18, 2009. "Before, we wanted a bar-brasserie in Saumur," says Isabelle Bordeaux." It was a small independent business. "Today, almost 40 years, the couple manages salariés 20 A major step forward. "We seek a restoration concept because my husband made a hotel school." Teaches the slaughter has seduced us because it leaves a large margin of creativity at the level of the dishes franchisees. "After having met with a couple of franchisees of the network in Tours, very satisfied, they have signed.

A difficult economic context

"We took the decision as a whole, after long reflection." And we are very pleased: despite the current economic crisis, it is a very rewarding experience. "Patrick is head chef, while Isabelle deals of room and marketing. "With the help of the franchisor, I approach hotels, I am of promotional operations for the feast of the Mères" It's very interesting, I learn many more things when I was working for our bar.

Empower teams

The couple has three children 11, 9 and 17 months. The four grandparents, retired, take turns to take care of them and relieve parents. "During the first months of our activity, could not do otherwise." But we begin to take our pace, to preserve our dimanches We learn to empower our teams to trust them. "With respect to working together, it is not a problem. "Sometimes, there are tensions, but we do share things: the job, it is the job, but the House is the House."