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The story of Valérie

Valérie, graduate of the Let’s Start Up Program and cofounder of Lona Accessoires

Valérie

A woman’s drive to success

The Lise Watier Foundation is proud to present Valérie Lachance, graduate of the Let’s Start Up Program – Entrepreneurship Stream.

Valérie is the proud owner of a hair salon and has recently launched Lona Accessoires, a hair accessories business. Very young, Valérie felt the desire to become a hairdresser, a profession that combines creativity and human contact. At 17, she began studying hairdressing and took her first steps in the industry. After three years, she was offered to buy the salon where she was working. It’s one thing to handle well a pair of scissors, but it’s quite another to manage a business. After much thought, Valerie took on the challenge of becoming an entrepreneur.

As she familiarized with new responsibilities, she felt there was an opportunity to offer made in Quebec original hair accessories. That was the spark to create Lona Accessoires. Starting a business and managing the production was a huge challenge and she felt she lacked confidence in her skills to take her idea to the next level. She then discovered the Let’s Start Up Program and decided to sign up! 

Starting a business: a major challenge

Valerie had a lot of ideas, but she didn’t know where to start and with each step she took, she faced new challenges. She had the feeling that she would not be able to launch her project, which undermined her confidence. She needed help to structure her project and develop a solid project.

The Let’s Start Up program was a revelation! It allowed her to find the tools and support needed to structure her ideas, develop a clear vision and create a good business plan. Throughout the program, she learned a lot about herself, learned to ask the right questions and to move forward even when she doubts. She had difficulty structuring her thoughts but is now more organized and has clear objectives to reach her goals. Valerie has gained confidence in her abilities and is positive she has the skills to lead her business to success.

A dream fulfilled

Valérie is proud to have gone all the way, to have pushed her limits and to see her dream come true. LONA Accessoires is being just launched and already is a success! As a token of her appreciation, last March, Valérie decided to give back to the Lise Watier Foundation by donating 50% of the profits from the FEMME hair accessories collection to the Lise Watier Foundation.

I wanted to improve myself as an entrepreneur. As an artist, I had a lot of ideas, but to put it all down on paper… whew, that was too much to ask! I needed tools and support and the Foundation was a great help!

– Valérie, participant in the Let’s Start Up Program, Entrepreneurship stream

TO LEARN ABOUT VALERIE’S COMPANY

LONA ACCESSOIRES
www.lonaaccessoires.com

MARIE-ÈVE

Graduate of the Let’s Start Up Program

The Lise Watier Foundation offers the Let’s Start Up program in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, the Laurentians and Montérégie. More than 200 women a year are committed to taking action through the Let’s Start Up program. They graduate with a better understanding of their strengths and skills, as well as the knowledge and tools to implement their professional project. Women thus begin a new journey towards financial independence through entrepreneurship, a return to school or a more fulfilling job.

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