Rodolphe Pasquier-Desvignes (Master 1989) and L’Epicerie Comptoir invite you to discover the finest local produce

Rodolphe Pasquier-Desvignes (Master 1989) is the man behind "L'Epicerie Comptoir", a brand that gives clients the chance to sample regional projects and local wines. It has already won over the EDHEC Alumni club in the Rhône-Alpes region, one of its best customers!

EDHEC Alumni : Can you tell us briefly how L’Epicerie Comptoir came about?
Rodolphe Pasquier-Desvignes : Over their lunch break in September 2009, Rodolphe Pasquier-Desvignes (EDHEC 1989) and Stanislas Rérolle (ESC-Saint Etienne) were sharing some saucisson, cheese and a drop of fine wine and discussing their entrepreneurial plans: they came up with the idea of sharing their Epicurean philosophy through a commercial concept. They didn’t get very far as the concept had already been developed by a third associate, who imported it from his native Languedoc to a small trading stall in Lyon. As their plans to develop a brand together began to take shape, their associate had to move abroad to follow his wife, so the business was purchased in February 2010 by L’Epicerie Comptoir, a company founded by Rodolphe Pasquier-Desvignes and Stanislas Rérolle. Since then, four other Epiceries Comptoirs have been set up in Lyon and Grenoble as businesses owned outright and based on the same model.

Offering delicatessen services and a selection of wines, this original concept allows customers to sample regional projects on site in the form of tapas or meals. Its stand-out feature is perhaps that it offers the chance to play host in a “homely” environment and reproduce a warm atmosphere at a time when catering brands are undergoing a process of industrial homogenisation. L'Epicerie Comptoir was originally branded in Lyon, offering only Languedoc-Roussillon wines in a snub to the “mandatory” Côtes du Rhône wines served locally. All of its products are available to purchase on site, and an online store ensures they can also be distributed more widely.

What is your initial assessment of this entrepreneurial adventure?
RPD : We achieved our objectives in terms of development slightly behind schedule, but we have met our expectations by securing our growth going forward. The current climate has forced us to be slightly frugal and cautious, but we now have solid foundations from which to develop outwards beyond our home region..

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
RPD : Changing your career path as a start-up entrepreneur is most certainly an adventure! Although we made a secure transition when we purchased L’Epicerie Comptoir, it must be said that the risks are always higher when you leave the comfort zone of the area in which you have experience. But for young entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs alike, every profession brings new discoveries! My main advice, although it may seem out of sync with concepts like "first to market", "cash burning" and ambitious fundraising initiatives, would be to ensure that the concept is viable on a small scale before seeking to develop on a larger scale.

What’s next for L’Epicerie Comptoir?
RPD : We intend to develop through franchising across France, relying on the local knowledge of the entrepreneurs who will establish our brand. And of course, to reflect my passion for international business, we would like to export our concept within Europe.

Have you ever benefited from the network of EDHEC graduates?
RPD : So far it’s mainly been through friendly visits from graduates as customers, and especially through the EDHEC Alumni club in the Rhône-Alpes region, which has been kind enough to hold regular meetings at one of the Epiceries Comptoirs in Lyon.

What are your expectations from the network?
TC : We would be delighted to be able to establish contacts in order to discuss the challenges facing us in terms of franchising with graduates who have experience in this area. In the long term, we intend to open up our capital to outside investors to boost our development, so we will be looking for partners who can provide expertise and networking contacts in this area.

Contact
> www.epiceriecomptoir.com
> rpasquierdesvignes@epiceriecomptoir.com
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