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In her first article for Guide2MidiPyrenees Sally Stone, CEO of Les Bons Voisins, offers her advice on starting a business in the Midi-Pyrenees region of South West France.

Making a Living in France

You may be capital (or property!) rich but income poor and are looking to making a living in France.  It's a huge subject, and our emphasis here is on the small independent trader or service provider using the "micro enterprise" regime. This simple form of self employment is now even easier with the new on line registration and the "auto entrepreneur" status with the very welcome concept, new to France, that the social contributions the French State takes, is done as a "pay as you earn" basis. 

Small businesses can range from the tiny service provider through to a builder requiring a limited company and the insurances to provide 10 year guarantees - in which case, certainly do take advice on precise accounting options.  Make sure you get advice appropriate to the Midi Pyrenees - we all have experience of the same offices in different regions having different requirements!  This seems to be a revelation to ex-pats settling here but you need to know that in France - each area will have its own interpretation of what you must do.

So your early research will be concentrating on working out what you might do, and how and for whom.  You need to plan very carefully when you consider around 80% of new businesses in France fail - it's a tough market and you have to think around the subject.  It's so easy to view your new life through a rosy glow but equally - you can also over emphasise the problems.  What are difficulties, except opportunities to succeed?

What to do?

This is not a time to reinvent yourselves - you'll have enough pressures just settling into your new life.  Yes, a change of direction, but not a complete u-turn. The most successful people use their old skills, albeit in a new way. Check on any qualifications you have - are they accepted in France - you might need to get some accreditation from your professional body or ex-boss before you come to France.  Artisans - those with a recognised trade qualification - will need to register with the Chambre de Metiers, whereas commercial workers register at their Chambre de Commerce.  Once you have registered correctly you will receive the magic "Siret Number" a 13 digit number the authorities will give you, which indicates WHAT you do (you can have as much trouble doing something you are not registered for as if you are working illegally).

Is there a niche?

If so, is there anyone else doing it?  Well you have already made a good start - by looking at this website and starting regional research.  Look in your area for people doing what you want to do.  Research the "competition" and check their registration! Who are your potential clients?  Think it through very carefully don't bank on your fellow countrymen, already living in France.  We see a lot of this, and it can end in tears when your apparent prospects simply don't have the budget to employ you.

Forward Planning

Where will you be based exactly?  Here in the Midi Pyrénées it's not always the distance you might need to travel but the actual terrain which can make a 30kms journey take far longer than it looks on the map!  Try not to fall in love with an isolated house. Never forget the power of networking. If you think you may need to work in the future, it's even more important not to be geographically isolated. 

Language skills an important part of your planning is that one of you involved MUST have a certain level of French - a rough guide would be, can you talk to a French person who you don't know on the telephone and make yourself understood?  The day you can do that, you really HAVE arrived.

Retirement - carefully do your sums to see if it will be to your benefit to remain contributing to the state pension scheme in your country of origin.  Also if you are a husband and wife team, you may not need to both make the same contributions for the French retirement pension, which doubles the amounts you pay out and may only pay you back enough to buy a baguette at the end of it. 

Spin off - we would say, that working within the community amongst the local French people is a wonderful way to integrate.  For us, running the network Les Bons Voisins property management, there is a double advantage for everyone when we use French artisans for our clients if they require something we cannot do ourselves - a true win, win situation.

Advertising

Once you have sorted what, where and for whom - tell everyone about it.  It's amazing how many small businesses neglect their advertising.   The Internet of course is a powerful tool - but get professional help with the website and critiques from friends before you go "live".  Your publicity should carry your Siret Number and needs to be understood by a French national - so bi-lingual, please!

The budget for marketing - don't hide your light under a bushel.  Think of even the small details - a good, cheerful answer phone message on your landline phone and a well-produced business card makes such a difference.

Watch those stress levels!

Just to say - if it was easy, everyone would do it, and successfully.  Do be aware that coming to France on its own is albeit maybe the culmination of a dream, but has its stresses as you adjust to your new life.  Combine that with starting a new business and you really have a lot on your plate.  Just remember - the longest journey starts with a single step - enjoy your journey and if you need any back-up or further advice, feel free to contact me.

BON COURAGE!

More about Sally Stone

Sally is MD of Les Bons Voisins, heading up a successful franchise network of property managers with a presence in seven regions of France, from Normandy to Languedoc, and of course including the Midi Pyrénéees.  She and her husband Mervyn bought a holiday home in Brittany in 2001, and the fact that they could not find local property managers led to the start of their business!  For further details of the services provided by Les Bons Voisins, contact Sally at LBV France.

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