Paul Grand-Clerc (Master 2013), founder of Rentîles: check it out for your next holiday!
Paul Grand-Clerc (Master 2013) recently created Rentîles, a platform designed to promote rental offers of independent vehicles on the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion, to compete with the major companies.
EDHEC Alumni : Can you tell us briefly how Rentîles came about?
Paul Grand-Clerc : After 2 years of R&D, the Rentîles network was set up by our web agency, SpeedyWeb, a team of three people who are passionate about the Internet. The idea behind this network of rental offers came from a fairly simple observation: the independent rental agencies on these islands cannot compete with major companies such as Europcar, Hertz, Avis and others. The Internet allows us to compile all of these offers and ensure they benefit from the same arsenal as the major companies: increased online visibility, a high-performance IT system and access to price comparison websites.
One year later, what is your assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?
PGC : Entrepreneurship is not a simple matter: there is a big divide between the vision you have before you begin and the actual outcome. The main lesson I have learned is that things never happen as you expect, and that’s what makes it such an exciting adventure.
Have you ever benefited from the network of EDHEC graduates?
PGC : Unfortunately I did not have that opportunity: when I arrived at EDHEC, the incubator was not yet in place. It would probably have allowed me to avoid certain errors and find help and advice to progress more quickly.
What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
PGC : Setting up a business and successfully implementing a project takes 2 to 3 times longer than initially planned. Draw up your business plan, treble the duration needed to reach your objectives in the short and medium term, and ask yourself if it’s financially viable. Entrepreneurship is above all about sound management of your company. Once you have managed to convince those around you and have gone through all of the administrative procedures, remember that things will not go as planned. There are so many bad and good surprises that the life of a young company is difficult to predict. Never lose confidence in your idea, but make sure you are able to challenge yourself: certain details are important!
What’s next for Rentîles?
PGC : We are only at the launch phase of the Rentîles project, we now need to develop partnerships with those in the local tourist industry in the Antilles and in Réunion, develop a solid relationship of trust with our members, improve our online referencing, expand our network to include other islands, add other dimensions beyond basic online reservation, etc. In short, there’s plenty of work to be done!
What are your expectations from the community of EDHEC graduates?
PGC : In relation to Rentîles, we don’t have any particular expectations: the project has been launched as expected and we have managed to develop it without financing. However, our web agency is involved in a major project with the French customs authorities for which we need to raise funds. I hope I have been heard!
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