Entrepreneurship without losing yourself: Caroline Zéphir's bet
Raphaël Bélizaire ·
Launching a business requires ideas, determination, and a healthy dose of courage.
The third edition of the Week-end de l'entrepreneuriat was held in Montreal, from October 9 to 11 at the Maison du sport et du loisir, centered on the theme "Entreprendre sans se perdre" ("Building a Business Without Losing Yourself").
Initiated by Montreal entrepreneur Caroline Zéphir, the event brought together numerous participants and speakers around the challenges of entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and the importance of preserving one's identity in the business world.
A space for exchange
Launching a business requires ideas, determination, and a healthy dose of courage. But how does one grow their activities without losing sight of their values, their identity, and the reasons that initially motivated the project? It was around this reflection that the third edition of the Week-end de l'entrepreneuriat was built, organized from October 9 to 11 at the Maison du sport et du loisir.
At the initiative of Caroline Zéphir, entrepreneur, trainer, and founder of CZart Inc., this gathering aims to offer both established and aspiring entrepreneurs a space for meeting, learning, and networking. Several panelists took part in discussions on various topics related to business development, leadership, business visibility, and growth strategies.
"The Week-end de l'entrepreneuriat was born from a deep desire to create a space for meeting, learning, and inspiration for current and future entrepreneurs," explains Caroline Zéphir. Throughout her journey, she observed that many people had promising ideas but lacked the support, network, or confidence to turn their ambitions into reality.
Concrete lessons
Members of the event's organizing team
After two previous editions, the initiator believes that the event meets a genuine need within the community. Participants' testimonials, the collaborations formed, and the projects taking shape following these meetings are among the elements that encourage her to continue the experience.
"Several people arrived with questions or projects still at the idea stage, then left with a clearer vision and a concrete plan," notes Caroline Zéphir.
Previous experiences also influenced the programming of this third edition. The organizing team notably devoted more space to direct exchanges, interactive workshops, and discussions focused on the real challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
For Caroline Zéphir, motivation alone is not always enough. Those who wish to start a business also need practical knowledge, advice tailored to their situation, and contacts who can help them take the next steps. The objective is therefore to go beyond the framework of inspirational conferences and foster learning that can be directly applied to participants' projects.
Preserving one's identity
The theme "Entreprendre sans se perdre" also places the human dimension at the heart of the entrepreneurial process. In an environment where growth, visibility, and profitability hold significant importance, the founder of CZart Inc. wishes to emphasize the importance of remaining true to one's values while developing one's business.
The event is aimed at a diverse audience: experienced entrepreneurs, self-employed workers, young professionals, students, and those still reflecting on their project. This openness seeks to build bridges between different community stakeholders and make entrepreneurship more accessible.
"It is normal to have fears. Entrepreneurship comes with challenges, but every successful business began with a courageous decision," affirms Caroline Zéphir.
She encourages interested individuals to prepare, learn, and surround themselves with the right resources rather than waiting for perfect conditions to act.
From Jacmel to Montreal
The journey of the young entrepreneur and mother reflects this desire to transform a passion into a sustainable venture. Introduced early on to manual crafts in her father's sewing workshop, she developed an interest in creation and innovation. After six years in the human rights sector within an international organization, she chose to devote more space to entrepreneurship.
Founded in Haiti in 2016, CZart Inc. has since grown around two entities: CZart Craft, specializing in personalized artisanal products, and CZart Academy, which offers craft training and creative entrepreneurship coaching.
The latter supports individuals who wish to transform their skills into a source of income. Caroline Zéphir states that she has trained more than 3,000 people in Canada, the United States, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, the majority of whom are women.
Based in Montreal, she also aims to contribute to the economic empowerment of women and the promotion of artisanal expertise.
Looking further ahead
For the coming years, Caroline Zéphir and her team aspire to make the Week-end de l'entrepreneuriat a recognized platform, capable of bringing together and supporting entrepreneurs from here and elsewhere. She hopes to make it an annual gathering where ideas take shape, partnerships are developed, and participants find the tools they need to advance their projects.
But beyond business growth and business opportunities, the message of this third edition comes down to one essential question: what is the point of succeeding if you must give up what defines you? For Caroline Zéphir, entrepreneurship is not only about building a profitable business, but also about constructing a project that is meaningful and in which one can genuinely and durably recognize oneself.