Actuality¹⁴⁸

Second session: lessons learned from the RJE!

DURABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Par

Alyssa Boily-Simard

On October 24, the second meeting of the JCCM's Réseau Jeunes Entrepreneur.e.s (RJE) program was held, highlighting relevant discussions on personal development, networking and the creation of entrepreneurial alliances.

Exploring Self-Knowledge

The panel discussion, made up of experienced entrepreneurs, addressed the issue of self-knowledge. Elizabeth Coulombe shared the importance of taking psychological tests, such as color tests, while Rouba stressed the importance of coaching and mentoring. Schamma Rosidor, for her part, recommended constantly re-evaluating oneself, listening to one's emotions to better understand oneself. Claire Bardin put forward the idea that emotions are meant to set us in motion, suggesting taking the "16personnalities" MBTI personality test. On the subject of imposter syndrome, the panelists stressed the importance of accepting uncertainty and transforming fear into an ally. Asking those around you for advice was recommended to distinguish fear from real limits.

During the meeting, personal learning was highlighted as a fundamental element for entrepreneurial success. This process enabled participants to discover essential facets of their entrepreneurial personality, including their resilience in the face of challenges, their ability to maintain an optimistic frame of mind even in times of uncertainty, and recognition of the importance of building a solid network.

Managing the expectations of those around you was an area of concern. Panelists recommended filtering shared information to protect against negative reactions, and striving to plan outings to relax.

Overcoming entrepreneurial loneliness

The workshop revealed that loneliness is a reality in the entrepreneurial world, hence the importance of networking. Family support can be insufficient due to cultural barriers. We were advised to ask for help, rely on our existing network, and ask questions of others to better understand them.

To establish contacts with competing companies, emphasis was placed on promoting matchmaking and discovering personal points of convergence. The value of developing a support network, by understanding each individual's skills and sharing experiences within the group, was emphasized.

All in all, this second meeting of the RJE program revealed crucial lessons such as the importance of self-knowledge, networking and support. Entrepreneurship is a personal adventure that needs to be approached with respect for the values we hold dear, and surrounding ourselves with like-minded people to succeed in this field.