The “100,000 Entrepreneurs” Association and Impact Partenaires, a social enterprise management firm, organized the first edition of Entrepreneurship Week in Urban Policy Neighborhoods (QPV) in Martinique, under the patronage of Jean-Marc Mormeck, Interministerial Delegate for Equal Opportunity for Overseas French Citizens.
This initiative was launched in response to two observations:
- The lack of knowledge about the business world among middle and high school students, who must nevertheless make decisions that will shape their professional futures; ;
- The particularly significant disconnect experienced by young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who live in these neighborhoods—who struggle to enter the workforce, to establish contacts with business leaders in their communities, and are more vulnerable to unemployment.
About ten business leaders with inspiring backgrounds came to share their experiences with 600 young people at various schools in Fort-de-France, Sainte-Marie, Le Lamentin, and Le Robert.
An initiative that helps bring entrepreneurs and students together—the students, who were very curious, had a lot of questions. How long did it take you to figure out what you wanted to do? Should you start a business on your own or with someone else? What challenges did you face? Do you ever feel like giving up? What’s your fondest memory? What keeps you going?
There were many questions, which the participating business leaders—such as Elisabeth Absalon—were happy to answer. According to her, «Being an entrepreneur means wanting to make a difference, providing a service, and at the same time finding satisfaction in your work. »It’s possible to succeed as a woman or even as a resident of Sainte-Marie—the only obstacles are in your head.”
This testimony opened up new possibilities for Wesley, a student at Collège Emmanuel Saldes in Sainte-Marie: «It was very informative; it helps us think things through so we can better prepare for our future.».
These classroom visits helped foster intergenerational dialogue, sometimes inspired new aspirations, and assisted these young people in making career choices.
Kaylan FAGOUR
Facebook: facebook.com/100000entrepreneurs/
