Surf the high seas with Odyssailing, founded by Olivier Siméon (EDHEC 2007)

-Can you explain briefly how your company came about (team, origins and project originality)?

This company came about from the desire to combine my passion for water sports and sailing with my appetite for entrepreneurship and innovation. I’ve been a navigator and sailing instructor for around 20 years, and while obtaining my professional Yachtmaster qualification in England, I was struck by the level of rigour and safety there and how serious and pragmatic English sailors are. They have a very different approach to sailing compared to the French. I naturally felt it would be a good idea to establish a training centre with the highest standards of learning, certified by the Royal Yachting Association and based in Marseille. Beginning in the spring of 2018, the centre will be offering personalised and intensive training courses, from beginner level (Start sailing) to professional (Yachtmaster), as well as Day or Coastal Skipper qualifications.
As well as these core activities, a range of other activities will be on offer based on maritime skills: à la carte cruises, generally in exotic destinations, as well as corporate events with me as skipper. I have been organising these for a few years, and there is significant demand. We also offer more technical services such as marine brokerage, convoys and nautical expertise.

-What is your initial assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?

It is still a bit early to reach an initial assessment. While the marine brokerage activities and à la carte cruises are working well, it will be a year before we can assess the success of Odyssailing’s first season as a centre of sailing excellence.

-Have you ever benefited from the network of EDHEC graduates?

Not yet, but I will be sure to reach out once the fundamentals are in place.

-What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?

Choose a project that suits your skills and aspirations. Once you have started out, work hard, listen to your own intuition and above all don’t give up: determination is the key to success in my view.

-What’s next for your company?

My course is set and the horizon is clear, what remains is technical work. We need to establish timetabling with a flexible and modular structure to meet needs in terms of boats and instructors, a system that is remotely operational as much as possible, for example when it comes to bookings, certification and payment, and a system that is solid in terms of insurance and safety procedures, since navigating at sea remains a risky activity. The Royal Yachting Association also has rigorous specifications that are an inherent part of their demanding standards.

-What are your expectations from the community of EDHEC graduates (fundraising, looking for staff, partners, advice, etc.)?

The community of graduates may be able to provide useful and invaluable help for the development of corporate events and à la carte cruises, whether for works committees or private clients. Organising a weekend flotilla (several boats) for staff is an incredibly powerful way to strengthen team cohesion. At sea, people reveal who they really are, their true values. It’s usually a defining moment.

More information :
Website : www.odyssailing.com
Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/odyssailing/?ref=bookmarks
Email : o.simeon@odyssailing.com
Phone : 07 81 86 37 07