HelloStaff, building a pool of talents for Montreal events

Going on an entrepreneurial journey

Starting from scratch and jumping in the unknown… does that ring a bell? It is a prerequisite for becoming an entrepreneur. It is not for everyone and you definitely have to like taking risks and being interested in out-of-the box perspectives, just like Thomas and Michael. 

They had different backgrounds, Thomas had a degree in Management and Michael had started his career as an actor. And yet, they were both working in the events industry, through temporary contracts as brand specialists. Discussing their mutual experience of seeking jobs led them to think of a way to innovate the job seeking experience. HelloStaff was on its way.

Looking for talents 

A lot of entrepreneurs in the tech sector are developers themselves or have an experience in that field but it was not the case for Thomas or Michael. Finding the right person was their first priority.

We wasted 6 months not finding the right person to develop our platform. We understood that we needed to structure everything, working with contracts and officialising. Look for a talent that would also be interested in being a shareholder. This is how we found David.

Thomas Lussiez

With a team of three, fully invested in their project, and a developer with an already established technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience, HelloStaff worked hard on developing their MVP.

When your product is built around a technological solution, you do not have the right to make any mistake; the slightest tech glitch will not be forgiven.

Learning all the way

The startup ecosystem played a major role in our progress: we found mentoring opportunities, professional advice, and funds. Earning our first grant gave us more credibility.

From Montréal inc. to Réseau M, entreprism and Entreprendre ici, an initiative of the Government of Quebec (Ministère de l’Économie, et de l’Innovation), HelloStaff knocked at as many doors as possible to develop their legitimacy. 

Every step of the journey, building a company, I discovered a new field of work and I wanted to get my hands dirty to better understand in order to recruit the right talent.

Check out HelloStaff.ca: If you are self-employed or studying and looking for a short-term mission in relation to events, you can create a profile to get customized offers. If you are a company in the events industry, you could get access to a great pool of talents.

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Be innovative, add mushrooms to your next coffee!

It all begins with friendship and travels

Rachèle brought her background in business development and her passion for sales and public relations. Maeva had a previous experience in sustainable development, events management, marketing. But most importantly, both of them shared one important asset: a true friendship.

We needed new challenges, we wanted to change the way we lived… so we went on a backpack trip to Colombia to find inspiration and see if we were ready to start working together.

Rachèle

In November 2017, on a hike in the beautiful zona cafetera, they decided to launch a business in the coffee industry that would be socially responsible. Back to Montreal, they met with a mycologist who introduced them to the complementarity between coffee and medicinal fungus.

After months of research and development, they came up with a coffee bean that integrates the positive mental and physical impacts of these fungus. Spark, Vigor and Vital each provide a different benefit.

It was important to select the best possible coffee. All grains are hand-picked and slow-roasted. 

Maeva

Innovation by curiosity

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Neither Rachel nor Maeva have a technical training in mycology or in science. They are not inventors but they can be innovators because they have an acute perception of the market. They understand consumers, their needs and desires for alternative products.

Some people might find it strange to add mushroom extracts to coffee beans but not our generation. Curiosity is part of our DNA.

Rachèle

They also know how to make the solution attractive: they have created three types of coffee, with three exclusive visuals from French designer Julien Brogard, picked through an international competition and their boxes are zero waste.

Collaboration and independence all the way

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Collaboration is key to their growth. Mushup is working hand in hand with partners like graphic designers (from the Billy Club) to develop, one coffee at a time.

Starting a new business was a way for us to come back to our original life objectives. We needed to gain control over our lives so it was natural to also keep control over our business

You can buy Mushup products online or in a (growing) number of local shops. You can also taste it, among other places, at the lovely Bistro Tendresse in Montreal Village neighbourhood.

Making 3D innovations more sustainable

Today, Nefilatek’s Kickstarter campaign is almost over but the project started a year ago, as a school project. Bastien was studying at Polytechnic and was convinced that developing recycled 3D printing filaments could be realistic. He was able to win grants from Fondation Arbour and enter Universite de Montreal and Polytechnique JAB incubator. 

A few months after, Angel joined the adventure with a background in Physical Engineering. After working in a biomedical lab, he wanted to find a meaningful project that allowed him to contribute to society.

Recycling makes the cost of raw material much cheaper

Thanks to research and development innovations, pretty much all plastics in the industry can be recycled: old electronics, home appliances are thrown in recycling factories and transformed into plastic pallets. 

Nefilatek has been able to develop different filaments: HIPS (High Impact Polystyrene) is good for the general public and for startups while PC (Polycarbonate) is more resistant and used in biomedical labs. In addition, the team builds spools that are also recycled, reusable and very light to avoid wasting empty stools. 

Closing the loop of the circular economy

For now, the team at Nefilatek uses plastics from sorting centers which is not 100% clean and needs to be decontaminated but the aim is to find raw plastics and make their own mixture.

We want to be able to collect used filaments from 3D printed prototypes and objects and recycle it to develop Nefilatek filaments. Then, we would be truly closing the loop.

Angel Chauffray

3D printing could be the new DIY trend

Over the past years, it is mostly known by geeks and tinkers, but 3D printing is a fun and useful hobby … and it is not that expensive! Did you know that you could buy a 3D printer for $350? And you can use it for making a missing piece of furniture, instead of buying a new one, or to make a new flower vase, deco pieces or toys for your children, or anything you want! Most models are open source so you can find them on websites such as Thingiverse.

It would be great to build a community of individual clients and democratize circular economy, show people that they can make everything by themselves.

Angel Chauffray

If you’re interested in testing 3D printing and doing it in a sustainable manner with Nefilatek filaments, you can contribute to their Kickstartercampaign until 22 April 2019!

These solar watches offer a sustainable and refreshing fashion alternative

Where it all started…

Alex and Sam met at HEC Montreal during their Bachelor of Finance. They shared a common interest in case competitions and entrepreneurship. 

When graduating, they were looking for meaningful experiences. Alex joined District M, a tech startup, where he developed his sales leadership and learned how small companies were able to grow. Sam started working at Snowdon partners, an entrepreneurial investment fund, and realized that this smaller ecosystem was exactly what he was looking for. 

Both of them spent 4 years in their respective companies, learning, growing and … maturing their entrepreneurship project. They then started designing their dream watch in-house and building their business plan which, two years later, launched through one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns of 2018.

Choosing entrepreneurship to make a difference in the world

When you are not an engineer or a developer, when you are not a millionaire, it is more difficult to find an idea for your startup. But we knew we wanted to focus on an eco-friendly idea.

Why solar watches? The technology is already well established and recognized, and it is a way to improve a very traditional consumer item. Also, in the watch industry, the affordable luxury watches market is the only part currently growing because consumers are aware that quartz watches are not sustainable.

Rather than offering direct consumption goods, fast fashion items, we want to make a fashion and sustainable statement. 

Responsible production

Sam in Hong Kong, checking on the production process

Eventually, Alex and Sam want to develop a portfolio of responsible products, with full transparency on the sourcing of materials. They work hard to create a relation of mutual trust with their suppliers and distributors and travel regularly to Hong Kong and Japan. Each component, each manufacturing process behind Solios Watches is carefully chosen to be as sustainable as possible while maintaining the quality, from the choice of packagingto the coloration of steel and the choice of bracelets.

People think that vegan leather is sustainable but in fact, it is made of plastic and petrochemicals, which is eventually polluting. Instead, we use silicon leather which is not vegan but more sustainable.

Responsible consumption

The team obviously aims at selling their products, but their goal goes beyond that sole purpose: they want to educate consumers and change behaviour patterns and common beliefs (yes, a solar watch can work in the UK where the sun does not always shine bright).

For now, the team has just received the first batch of orders from their Kickstarter campaign and started delivery in April 2019. You can order their products online.

Telling stories by designing authentic products

Not interested by traditional paths

Lorena studied ceramic and graphic design while Antonio went for sculpture and industrial design. They both started their careers few years ago in the corporate world and in design studios. However, something was wrong – a sense of uneasiness, lack of authenticity? Antonio decided to go back to studying and chose an environmental programme in design and architecture at Universite de Montreal and Lorena quit her job. Brother and sister decided to become partners and Co/Crea Studio was born.

We did not agree 100% with what the market had to offer, we needed to create ourselves something that aligns with our vision of the world. 

Their conception of design is responsible and interdisciplinary, it embraces circular economy and has a positive impact of society while remaining viable. 

Going against the grain: durability vs. trends

(c) Tora Chirila

People are either graphic designers or industrial designers but studios rarely combine the two. Blending 2D and 3D is a way to provide richer experiences and mutually benefit from each other.

Lorena and Antonio work on the ideation process together, then, the lead will depend on the type of product or service. The focus is always on offering a sustainable product or service with an extended life – which is against the processes of the industry.

Conveying messages through products

They are currently working on a series of products called the “Fundamental Series”, to promote good habits: a book-end, to leave technology aside and go back to reading books, candlesticks to give more light to our lives…

(c) Tora Chirila

To do so, they are partnering with Mexican artisans from a small village called Tecali which is famous for its expertise in marble and onyx craft. Unlike many manufacturers that go there for cheap but quality labour, the two Montrealers want to provide artisans with fair trade opportunities and… to come back to their country of origin!

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Another product, “My Montreal, our island” was created after a call for projects inviting designers to reinterpret Montreal souvenirs (that are mostly made in China as we all know…). Using Montreal’s insularity, the designers created an original mug that showcases Montreal diversity and authenticity: it is made in clay as a reminder of the sand beaches on an island, it has the island of Montreal carved in the bottom, and the name is written just like you would write with your fingers in the sand. 

Of course, if you don’t know the story, you might just see it as another mug in a souvenir shop, but this is why design is so important for us – it helps conveying stories in a durable and creative manner.

You can buy these products online.

Hibiscus drinks from Africa made in Montreal

African flavors, made in Montreal

Hikmath is a dynamic, ambitious Montrealer who decided to become an entrepreneur and make other Montrealers discover her favourite drink, coming directly from her home country, Benin (West Africa).

Hibisko comes from the world “hibiscus”, a red flower that is emblematic of tropical destinations, but that can also be used in infusions. Hibiscus tea has been consumed in many parts of the world for ages – in Egypt it is called Karkade, in the Caribbean it is agua de Jamaica, and in West Africa, it is called Bissap and it is a traditional drink appreciated for its sweet and sour taste and deep red color.

I had never thought of entrepreneurship before. My parents wanted me to be a doctor.

After growing up in Africa (Cote d’Ivoire and Benin), and studying in France, Hikmath came to Montreal for a fresh start: she began her studies at HEC in 2012 and after graduating, started working in IT. All along the way, she brewed bissap at home, keeping her habits from childhood.

An unquenchable thirst for new products

As Hikmath experienced life in a corporate world, the idea of making a business out of her hobby kept growing in her mind and she saw a fit with the market:

Montrealers love testing new drinks and new products that are healthy and locally made.

Given the current trend of kombucha (cf. Mannanova) and cold-pressed juices (cf. LOOP juices), such products definitely fit with consumers’ expectations and the growing demand for attractive and tasteful non-alcoholic products that are not produced and bottles thousands of miles away.

Hibisko offers three types of flavours: El Classico (a blend of hibiscus and mint infusion), Phoenix (a blend of red and white hibiscus with maple syrup, lemon an cinnamon) and Senshi (a mix of hibiscus, ginger and baobab extract)

Home-made drinks. Home-made everything!

Yes, it is that simple: during the summer of 2018, Hikmath officially quit her job and started being a full-time entrepreneur. She went through a training in Hygiene and food safety and got a license from MAPAQ and she was officially allowed to start making and selling her product. All items are 100% home-made: the hibiscus is brewed, bottled, labelled, straight from Hikmath’s kitchen.

Selling the products online and at special events is a first step. The packaging is also subject to improvement and there is a lot to be done in sourcing raw materials. But I need to feel at ease with my product, take one step after the other, and be open to advice and positive criticism.”

For now you can buy Hibisko drinks online and follow the journey on social media.

Neoshop, selling innovative objects offline in the heart of Montreal

When we think of innovation we often think of new apps to facilitate our life, we think of smart objects, artificial intelligence, new service providers but there is a myriad of smart objects being created in Montreal, and now you have a physical address to find them – Neoshop.

Once upon a time in France

Yes, the idea came from France, with the first Neoshop opening in Laval in 2013 but through an initiative of the dynamic Quartier de l’Innovation, it successfully expanded in North America with Montreal as a HQ. The idea is to offer to consumers the innovations created by startups and thus, to support these startups when marketing their innovations.

Credit Substance ETS

A business accelerator for innovative startups in Quebec

The Montreal boutique opened almost a year ago and we met with Hugo Paquin, its manager, last week during Startupfest 2017.

We want to progressively become the reference for innovative products in Quebec. Some of these startups only have an online presence but they could reach many customers by using a physical sales point.

Neoshop acts like a physical address for startups but it is much more than this – the idea is also to help startups fine-tune their marketing strategy. This is where Hugo can add a true value. With over seven years of professional experience in marketing and communication, having worked in prestigious organizations such as KPMG and CGI, he knows how to share new ideas with startups to leverage their growth strategies.

During Startupfest 2017, Neoshop had a pop-up kiosk where they were displaying some of the popular objects they offer – Naak energy bars, OCNI Factory seasoning mix, Kinesix sportswear, Nex Band a smart bracelet, Bubbles products… and Hugo met many new startups to expand the Neoshop catalogue in the near future.

Strengthening the community

Eventually, the goal is to create an international network where European products will be offered in Montreal and Quebec products will be advertised in Neoshops in France or Ireland. These innovation boutiques are mostly targeted at “early adopters” and Millennials, who are already sensitive to innovation but being a physical retailer also allows to target pretty much anyone.

For now, Neoshop does not have a permanent physical address but it is hosted by Quartier de l’Innovation which already brings visibility and awareness. In the middle of engineering works in Downtown Montreal, Neoshop surely serves as a bridge between innovation and the consumer market.

MiumMium, bringing Chefs to your dining room

How many times have you wished that you could eat that lovely foie gras and gingerbread without having to pay for the expensive menu at this soulless restaurant downtown? What if you could have the chef coming directly to your very own place? What if your dining room could turn into a 3-stars restaurant? Well, your dreams are about to turn into reality thanks to Miummium.com! Founded a little more than a year ago by a young Canadian chef, the website allows you to pick a date, choose a menu and… invite your friends while the chef takes care of the rest.

So, is this the “Uber of chef”?

We asked Chloe St Cyr, the 26 years old founder, this very “dans-l’air du temps” question and here is what she answered:

We want to democratize the culinary art, make it accessible to all, help professional chefs increase their income and reduce their financial dependence on restaurants. The time has come to take the chef out of the kitchen and into the customer’s home.

Miummium is truly about selling an innovative experience: an exciting and less expensive dinner with an average price of $55 per person and rates ranging from $16 per guest to +$100 per guest (in Montreal). It is about delighting the customer with all kinds of cooking styles (barbecue, vegan, Italian, Moroccan…) anywhere in the world.

A family business

It all started when Chef Chloë St-Cyr, who has become an internationally recognized culinary talent, started receiving requests from friends and family to cook for special diner parties. She sensed that there definitely was a need for alternative gourmet dining experiences. Although venture capital and other innovative sources of financing grow in popularity, it was a family matter to bring Miummium to life: everyone involved is either part of her family or a close friend of Chloe with her father acting as a mentor and her closest advisor.

My dad thought me that the best businesses are the one you can grow without having to continuously add people and infrastructure. Keep it lean and focus on the one thing that you can do better than anybody else.

A global innovative venture from the beginning

Although Chloe is originally from Montreal, she has lived all over the world and she is currently between the Maldives and Dubai. So just like her founder, Miummium was a global company from the beginning: it started operating in nine countries since day one, with people in Asia, Europe and North Africa and with the core of their operations currently originating from Spain. Success was instantaneous with more than 11,000 chefs registered in less than 12 months.

In Montreal, the Personal Chef culture is establishing itself rapidly but Chloe explains that it took longer for the rest of Canada and the US. Chefs have also evolved in their offerings and become more responsive. Behavioral trends are changing everyday with new services, over customized offers. Today, the core of operations actually originates from Spain.

Chloe has seen how new start-ups are disrupting the service industry and she believes that inviting a Personal Chef in your home is a trend that will explode in the coming years:

Wherever we go, we need transportation, a roof over our head and, of course, food in our belly.

A marketplace for chefs… 

Consumers are clearly benefiting from this new tool, but so do chefs: they are classified either as professional or foodie depending on their experience and after careful consideration from the team, their profiles are published. Eventually, for the best chefs, MiumMium becomes the principal source of income. Private Chefs are not competitors but become partners with the possibility to monetize their free time just like drivers monetize their car on Uber.

… with ambitious expansion plans

When most new start-ups need an average of three years to start making profits, Miummium is expecting a small profit after a year of operation and has no debt. Despite this promising start, Chloe is definitely interested in seeking capital, through partnerships. It started with Homeaway.com so that clients renting a vacation home can be introduced to a MiumMium chef.

But what Chloe really wants Miummium to become goes beyond the marketplace and has to do with innovating the food services as a whole, partnering with other start-ups in the industry such as Alfredsommelier.com, a Quebec startup who delivers a sommelier in your pocket. Providing always more services and customizing the dining experience when booking a meal on MiumMium, you will have the opportunity to get the perfect wine pairing through the professional advice of a sommelier and even get the sommelier to come to make your dinner a perfect evening!

In a nutshell, when it comes to food, even the craziest dreams can become reality.