Bach, interior architect, opened a decoration shop in Les Marolles.
Bach, interior decorator, was refused financing due to the nature of her plans: the launch of an artistic project. Her bank guided her towards microStart, where she obtained a credit to open the decoration shop in Les Marolles. With microStart, Bach found more than financing: a constant monitoring by Thomas, a volunteer coach, who supported her in the various aspects of rolling out her project.
Alexandre, aged 57, is self-employed in transport.
Alexandre heard about microStart via the prospecting work of advisers on the Brussels markets. After effective word of mouth enquiries, Alexandre decided to submit his project to microStart to begin working as self-employed in transport. After six months, Alexandre developed a credit history that allowed Denis, branch manager, to support him in his steps with banks to obtain additional financing.
Bernardo, aged 32, is a film maker and producer for companies.
Bernardo studied cinema and has specialised in sets. Before contacting microStart, he already worked on-staff for production companies as script-writer, director or producer. He genuine experience and so set up as self-employed. "I had enough professional experience to have an original, personal and interesting experience on the market. It was this search for originality that led me to set out". The microcredit granted by microStart allowed him to finance the equipment and certain initial communication investments. "What is interesting about microStart is that you can start your business at a very simple level". Today Bernardo has all the motivation he needs for his project to succeed: "I am very optimistic and continue to believe in the project. It began well but we have to be patient."
Laura, aged 47, is a representative in construction
Laura worked for many years in the building sector. She did not have a stable job, had temporary contracts and received unemployment benefit. She wanted to set up on her own but the banks did not consider her due to the unemployment. She then turned to microStart, which granted here a €5,000 microcredit. "microStart listened to me and supported me financially. But the money was not what helped me most. I was helped above all in the preparation of the plan, the file, contacts and the support of a coach. It was very important not to feel alone in a project like this." She has the dynamism to succeed and does not hesitate to seek help to achieve this.
Jamila L., aged 31, set up a created a ready-to-wear sales site
Jamila had prepared her created a ready-to-wear sales site plan for two years before launch via Azimut, the business incubator, while she was unemployed. "It's paradoxical: I set up a business but kept the status of unemployed when becoming part of a business cooperative. I did not meet the conditions to obtain a bank loan". She turned to microStart to finance her inventory. It gives its opinion on microcredit: "The benefit is that these are not big sums, which limit the risks you take as businessperson. The monthly payments have a structure; the sums and the due dates are reasonable. Thus, microcredit is educational in that a smaller loan requires businesspeople starting out to reduce their spending and be economical. At microStart there is a genuine support process when starting up a business. Every appointment is specific and you always leave with something new to make progress with the project."
Jamila B., aged 37 years, imports and sells design furniture
Jamila B. set up her company in May 2011. She found herself with a business that was starting up, but no means to invest. This is why she turned to microStart. She explains: "I contacted microStart for a small loan to let me have a little breathing space and the time to think of other solutions". Today the project is well under way. "It is working well and people like the products. It has made private sales on several weekends running. Word of mouth is working well. The prices are good. I am pleased and confident."
Hugues founded a small parcel transport company
Hugues is 32 and has a private limited company delivering parcels. The microcredit was "a huge shot in the arm". It provided motivation and was "at the right time". He strongly encourages this initiative, which "helps all levels of businesspeople starting out". "I felt genuinely helped. For a person with ideas but nothing in their pocket, an amount like €5,000 is indeed a lot". "The company has expanded since microStart financed us. Now I am even turning down contracts!" For Hugues, there is no doubt: "microStart is a favoured financial partner", with which he wants to maintain both lasting and friendly relations so as to achieve complete financial independence in future.
Diane, aged 27 years, makes and sells child carriers
Diane, aged 27, is Belgian and Rwandan. She studied sociology and tourism and has a three-year old daughter.
Diane's is a story of love between her and her daughter. When her child was born, Diane built a tailor-made baby carrier since "the ones in the shops cost too much". She was inspired by the traditional African system of carrying, which she adapted and improved. Her first client was her paediatrician and very rapidly friends were ordering them. Reassured by this initial success and not having a job at the time, she said to herself that she should try a business venture.
She put together a start-up plan and spoke with Debuut, the cooperative. The cooperative system is very interesting since in addition to the training and support, the cooperative allows the social security benefits to be received for up to 18 months, as well as the possibility of invoicing with the cooperative's VAT number. After verifying the suitability of the project/designer match, Diane was supported in putting into place an action plan and things took off.
After a few months, the Debuut cooperative saw that Diane had to add another dimension to her project and increase production, that it was time to find financing. Her coach puts her in touch with microStart. Diane says "at microStart they are local, responsive branches. This loan allowed me to finance the manufacture of some 20 more baby carriers and free up time for other tasks".
Diane sees several advantages in the relationship between the Debuut cooperative and microStart – security, allowing her to maintain her social security benefits, additional support offered by two bodies and the loan allowing here to increase business volumes and better manage her budget. The next stage for Diane is to open a professional account. She also plans to offer complementary products for her baby carrier.
microStart benefits from a guarantee issued under the