Simon : From Paris to Ancenis-Saint-Géréon

I've wanted to be an entrepreneur for a long time

When I was 14, the first book I bought was about entrepreneurs. These stories have always fascinated me. Between a family to build and a career in Paris, I'd never taken the time to stop and think about what I really wanted. Originally, we were just looking for somewhere to settle down to balance our professional and family lives. But when I discovered the Pays d'Ancenis, I saw a unique opportunity. Here, everything seemed possible: a dynamic economic area, an exceptional quality of life for our children and a community that makes you want to get involved. There's no posturing here, the relationships are genuine. What I particularly like is the social diversity. And then there's the living environment. You don't have to travel miles to enjoy nature. The banks of the Loire, walks, little restaurants... It's all within easy reach. For my children, it's an ideal place to grow up. And for me, it's a place where I can work while remaining aligned with my values.

At the time, I was still working for a Paris-based start-up on a telecommuting basis. It was a good experience, but my professional and personal lives seemed totally disconnected. Everything seemed 'out of touch'. So one evening, while talking to my wife, I realised that I didn't want this remote life any more. I wanted to build something concrete, something human, here in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon.

Taking the plunge thanks to local support

Moving from an idea to action was a real challenge. Leaving a permanent job, taking financial risks, and all that with a family to support - it's not easy. But the Espace Entreprendre in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon played a decisive role in my development.

One day, after hesitating for a long time, I went in. The welcome I received was incredible: Fanny and Mylène listened to me, pointed me in the right direction and guided me towards the right resources, whether they were entrepreneurial networks or schemes like the Initiative Pays d'Ancenis loan. This financial support, coupled with the mentoring of Christian, a former company director, helped me to structure my project and launch myself with confidence. He gave me a fresh perspective, particularly on financial management.

All these meetings and discussions were decisive. They reassured me and gave me the certainty that it was the right time to launch.

A recruitment agency serving local businesses

In 2024, I founded Aquila RH Ancenis, a temporary employment and recruitment agency. My business is simple: recruiting for local companies or delegating temporary workers on assignments of varying lengths. Today, we're a team of three people, and every day we put between 20 and 30 temporary workers to work in the Ancenis area.

What sets us apart is our proximity model and our commitment to personalised support. Rather than aiming for volume, we focus on human relations that are tailored to the expectations of both employers and employees. We work in a wide range of sectors: transport and logistics, industry, construction and public works, etc. And what makes this job so stimulating is the diversity of profiles and backgrounds that we come across every day.

Inspiring life stories

In my job, there are certain encounters that leave a lasting impression. Recently, a former administrative manager, well-dressed and very comfortable speaking, surprised me by announcing that he had just passed his HGV driving test. He wanted to move into transport. We offered him a demanding job transporting poultry. Despite the sometimes difficult conditions, his motivation made all the difference. Today, he's flourishing in this job, and the company is delighted.

We also see young graduates in search of meaning, often undecided after trying out several careers. We work with them step by step, helping them to redefine their career plans. Some of these career paths lead to permanent employment, and it's immensely satisfying to contribute to these success stories.

My happy addition to Pays d'Ancenis

Three things make my life here so special:

Firstly, my garden at Mésanger, where my children grow up in a healthy environment, with chickens, a swing and a swimming pool in the summer. These are simple things, but they're enough to keep me happy.

Then there's the economic dynamism of the Pays d'Ancenis, which is home to a large number of businesses and offers a peaceful environment, with low unemployment and a strong commitment to community work.

Finally, I'd like to mention the warm welcome we received from the locals, who were able to integrate us as soon as we arrived, with smiles and spontaneous gestures of mutual aid.

It's a wonderful story that just goes to show the extent to which the Ancenis region can offer an ideal setting for building a happy life and a meaningful business project, combining a business focused on human relations with an authentic living environment. Thank you to Simon for his inspiring story!