Roxanne Tétreault: Representing Canada at the G20 YES

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has selected 30 dynamic young Canadian entrepreneurs to form the official Canadian delegation at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) in Nice, France on October 31-November 2, 2011. The G20 YES is an annual international summit that brings together dedicated and influential entrepreneurs of the G20 countries. Roxanne Tétreault is a Canadian delegate.

• My motto: “To infinity and beyond” – Buzz Lightyear
• Company name:  Esprits Libres Communications
• Activity: communications / advertising / press releases
• Number of employees: 3
• Headquarters’ Address: 21 Meloche St., Granby, QC, Canada, J2H  0H1
• Website: www.espritslibres.ca

Why I became an entrepreneur:

I think I became an entrepreneur because I had to be one. When I lead a project I always do it with the same dream in mind while continually improving it with new ideas. Before starting my business I already had an “intrapreneur” attitude and a certain leadership.

I wanted to manage a communications company while abiding by the following principals:

• Democratization of creative realizations and making them available to every type of business
• Increasing the quality of life in an agency setting
• Development of creative solutions while keeping in mind the fundamentals of Sustainable Development such as valorizing good resource management, exercising leadership in our local economic development and proactively promoting family and community values

I moved into a new area for my spouse’s work – it was a good moment to re-evaluate my career plan. I started from scratch, no starting capital and no contacts, nothing except a head full of ideas and ambitions. I became an entrepreneur because I wanted to create an idea work context for me and my team.

Essentially, my goal is to challenge myself and find out what I’m worth.

My best moment as an entrepreneur, my success:

I started my company on Friday, February 13^th and I got pregnant on February 14^th. My entrepreneurial life started with a decision of utmost importance: strive for success or give up. After two and a half years spent spending time, money and energy to build a company, a network and a team as well as establishing the credibility of my company despite contractions, breastfeeding and diapers, I think I can say that my path was unconventional and somewhat difficult… Yet I know I’m still on the right track!

I am a leader in my area. I am a good and caring mother. I started a mamanpreneures non-profit group which I use to share experiences with other mompreneurs like me. I also serve n the Board of Directors of my local Chamber of Commerce and I serve many committees in my community.

My greatest accomplishment appeared to me with this venue: I have inspired myself.

My next challenge:

1)      To move to my own building.

2)      To obtain a Sustainable Development ISO (in Quebec is NBQ26 000)