Month: May 2025

The CAE Haute-Montérégie supports the Soirée Lumière sur l’entrepreneuriat, a colorful event highlighting the courage and exceptional resilience of entrepreneurs who have embarked on the adventure of entrepreneurship in recent years.

Every year, hundreds of guests gather to discover new projects, meet passionate entrepreneurs and celebrate local success stories. The event provides a space to showcase the companies supported by the CAE Haute-Montérégie, while encouraging exchanges, networking and the development of business opportunities.

Organized in two stages, the evening begins with an exhibition where companies present their products and services. It continues with a festive supper and a program featuring testimonials, panels and awards highlighting the involvement of people committed to the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Sustainable development features prominently in the discussions, as a key issue in ensuring responsible, sustainable economic growth. Invited entrepreneurs share their initiatives, strategies and commitments, inspiring the whole community to innovate while respecting the environment.

The objective of the Soirée Lumière sur l’entrepreneuriat remains unchanged: to promote local entrepreneurship, showcase inspiring stories and encourage innovation within the region. With the participation of entrepreneurs, mentors, economic partners and dignitaries, this evening actively contributes to the dynamism and vitality of the Haute-Montérégie region.

Buoyed by the enthusiasm of the participants and the quality of the discussions, the Soirée Lumière has become a not-to-be-missed event for celebrating and supporting our region’s entrepreneurial momentum.

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The Réseau Mentorat is a community of interest “by and for” entrepreneurs, mobilized to offer high-calibre coaching services to all Quebec entrepreneurs who so desire, whatever their stage of growth or sector of economic activity. Its aim is to accelerate the development of local entrepreneurs, in order to increase their survival rate and promote the growth of their businesses, from start-up to transfer to a new owner.

Mentoring for entrepreneurs… to go further, more efficiently!

Being a mentee :

Being mentored accelerates your development as an entrepreneur, enabling you to take a step back, better evaluate your options and make informed decisions. Through mentoring, a person with a wealth of experience shares his or her entrepreneurial expertise with you, transferring his or her knowledge and know-how.

Becoming a mentor

Being a mentor:

Being a mentor means supporting and guiding entrepreneurs in your region towards success, thanks to your experience. It means getting involved in a structured and growing network of entrepreneurs, enabling you to intervene where it counts. It means being part of a community of over 1,500 volunteer mentors committed to the success of Quebec entrepreneurs.

Become a mentor

 

Our mentors :

 

 

 

The Défi OSEntreprendre is a vast entrepreneurial movement in Quebec, showcasing the initiatives of over 67,000 participants every year.

Every year, the Centre d’aide aux entreprises Haute-Montérégie is involved in implementing the OSEntreprendre movement on the territory.

The 2024 edition took place under the honorary presidency of Simon Verville, a former winner of the competition. The 27th edition includes the business section:

• Business Creation: for start-up entrepreneurs
• Doing Business Together: showcasing local sourcing models

To implement the program, more than 300 managers in 17 regions of Quebec are mobilizing to highlight local projects. The program takes root at local, regional and national levels.

Find out more –>

Business Creation

Are you embarking on a new entrepreneurial adventure? Express your passion, live the experience of a jury, even win a scholarship, and expand your network by joining the OSEntreprendre entrepreneurial community!

The Business Creation component of the OSEntreprendre Challenge offers new entrepreneurs the opportunity to validate their project, obtain grants, expand their network and express their passion.

Doing business together

Does your company do business with Québec suppliers? Dare to showcase your sourcing practices, inspire other entrepreneurs and become a proud ambassador!

The Doing Business Together section of the OSEntreprendre Challenge showcases a wide range of companies that stand out for their procurement practices with suppliers from all over Quebec.

Whether choosing a hotel or a packaging manufacturer, every decision to do business together has an economic, human and environmental impact.

Winners of the 27th edition of the Défi OSEntreprendre – MRC du Haut-Richelieu

Business creation component :

• Comme une plume – MC, writer and grant consultant: Marianne Carbonneau
• Les Breuvages Shake-Shop inc: Patrick Blais
• Viavela School : Alexandre Gareau

Doing business together component :

• Espace Couture : Marie-Hélène Roy

Prix coup de cœur” scholarships :

• Café Temps T: Jean Thériault
• Ton livre, ton histoire par Chapeau Melon : Pascale Dufour

NOTICE OF MEETING
The Annual General Meeting of the Société d’aide au développement des collectivités de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. at the Hôtel Château Logue. To attend, you must register in advance by phone at 819-449-1551 or by clicking here.
Proposed Agenda
1. Opening of the meeting;
2. Adoption of the agenda;
3. Adoption of the minutes from the May 28, 2024, meeting;
4. Presentation and adoption of the 2024–2025 annual report;
5. Appointment of the auditor;
6. Appointment of board representatives and presentation of directors;
7. Miscellaneous questions;
8. Adjournment of the meeting.
Given in Maniwaki, May 9, 2025
Kerry Anne Gorman, Secretary

When a business succession project takes root in a small village, it often preserves a vital piece of the community’s heritage. This was certainly the case in Saint-Alexis-de-Matapédia, a village of just 500 residents, where Isabelle Beaulieu and Jean-François Chouinard took over Scierie Avignon. Their succession story is one of maintaining the human values that have defined the company for over two decades.

About the Company

Scierie Avignon specializes in lumber sawing and sales, offering a variety of wood products, including planks, patio wood, and lumber. The company is widely recognized in the region for its customized services and expertise in producing unconventional lumber sizes that are not typically available in hardware stores.

How Did the Succession Opportunity Come About?

Originally from Baie-des-Sables and St-Léandre in the Matanie region, Isabelle and Jean-François had been operating a sawmill for several years. They were searching for a new venture that would allow them to establish themselves for the long term.

Their opportunity came when Jean-François discovered an advertisement for the sale of Scierie Avignon on the Mon entreprise à vendre website. He reached out to the owner, Mr. Richard Leblanc.

“I spoke with Richard, and he hadn’t yet found buyers who matched his vision. He wanted someone who would continue serving local customers and prioritize local purchasing,” explains Jean-François. Sensitive to Mr. Leblanc’s wishes and determined to demonstrate that they were the buyers he was looking for, Jean-François and Isabelle decided to get involved first-hand in the business.

They began working two days a week with Mr. Leblanc. This hands-on approach and perseverance helped establish trust before finalizing the sale in the winter of 2024.  “During that time, we got to know each other. Richard saw that we had the experience and the potential to take over the business,” Jean-François recalls.

What Sets Scierie Avignon Apart?

Scierie Avignon’s reputation is built on the human and community-focused approach instilled by Mr. Leblanc.

The sawmill is open to the public several times a week, fostering direct relationships with the community. Isabelle and Jean-François have made it a priority to maintain these connections, starting by keeping the well-established company name.

They have also continued promoting products made from locally sourced wood. “What makes us unique is our ability to create projects that highlight the resources of the Plateaux region,” Jean-François shares.

Improvements and Future Plans

Since taking over, Isabelle and Jean-François have made several adjustments to enhance the sawmill’s operations. These include upgrading equipment, redesigning the interior, and winterizing the building to improve working conditions.

In their commitment to sustainability, they also introduced measures to optimize resource use. For instance, they converted a piece of machinery to electric power and added a woodchipper.

“One of our best decisions was adding the chipper. It allows us to transform all our wood trimmings into biomass,” explains Jean-François.

Looking ahead, the couple aims to expand the sawmill’s reach beyond the region while staying true to their human-scale and community-focused approach.

The Role of SADC Support

The couple received financial support from the SADC’s Investment Fund, which played a crucial role in helping them secure the sawmill.

“What I appreciated was the strong communication between the SADC and the MRC. We didn’t have to repeat the process—it was seamless,” says Jean-François.

 Advice for Future Entrepreneurs

Jean-François and Isabelle credit their success to seeking guidance and support throughout the transfer process.

“You need an external perspective,” they emphasize. “We often get so focused on the end goal—like the business plan or financial package—that we overlook the importance of having someone to help us step back and reflect.”

Their story is a testament to the human connections that underpin every successful succession project.

About Isabelle Beaulieu and Jean-François Chouinard

He, a former sports instructor and she an agriculturalist, Jean-François and Isabelle gradually developed a passion for forestry and wood processing. In 2024, they made it their full-time pursuit by taking ownership of Scierie Avignon, a cornerstone of their community.