2023-04-23 12:03:55
BUSINESS. They are only 22 years old, but they already manage a business that attracts customers from all over Quebec, and even more. Enrick Basaneze and Alexia Maltais are the co-owners of Brodame, a business specializing in fabric embroidery and clothing sales located on Lindsay Street in Drummondville.
Enrick Basaneze was only 16 when he started his entrepreneurial career. Independent, he wanted to be his own boss. He then created his clothing brand Prône.
“It all started when I sold clothes in presale (as part of a course at school) so that I might finance the manufacture. I walked around the classrooms at Jeanne-Mance and I sold. I managed to make $5000 in sales. I didn’t keep any cents. I reinvested everything to make it serious, for example with a website. After that, it just “blow up” (exploded)”, he explained in an interview to L’Express in 2020.
Passionate regarding fashion, he quickly realized that what really interested him was management and business development. He acquired a machine to embroider clothes from his first company Prône. “It’s an inclusive brand, I involve people and offer them freedom with mutual respect. But, still in my desire to manage, I acquired buildings and I create content to help people motivate themselves and that’s free, because I want to push people to achieve their dreams. added Mr. Basaneze, who also owns a vaping shop in Saint-George-de-Beauce.
From soul mates to associates
Enrick Basaneze and Alexia Maltais were in a relationship. She worked for him in the management of social networks of Prône while studying to become a nurse. “She was excellent at what she did, so she bought shares in my company,” explained the entrepreneur. She then began her ascent and accumulated tasks in the production, marketing and management of the line of embroidered clothing.
Despite the couple breaking up, business continued to grow. Thus, Alexia Maltais finally launched her company Brodame. “Enrick supports me in my business and I take care of everything! We acquired other embroiderers and invested approximately $50,000. The renovation of the commercial premises on rue Lindsay took longer than expected, but the foundations are solid and the look is up to what we had thought,” said Ms. Maltais.
The two entrepreneurs thought it important to settle in downtown Drummondville in order to rejuvenate and revive the commercial arteries. Enrick Basaneze is of the opinion that having a storefront allows people to converge on local merchants. “During the opening, there were people, among others, from Victoriaville, Sept-Îles, Thetford-Mines and Montreal. These people circulated near businesses in the city center and discovered things in our beautiful city, ”he made a point of specifying.
Brodame already works with big players like Radio-Canada, Voith, Popa Vap, university student associations and more.
“We have plans for sure. We currently employ two people and with the influence we have at the moment, we can already think of opening other shops elsewhere which will offer, like here, on site clothes, bags, caps, etc. We’ll see how it goes. But our strength is online sales”, launched the dynamic duo who sees big and admits to being here to stay.
1682317413
#young #entrepreneurs #set #shop #downtown
