Startine, the product created by a kedger that will embellish your appertizers this summer!

To begin with, tell us about your educational background: what training did you have while at KEDGE and before going to KEDGE?

I’m originally from Azereix in the Hautes-Pyrénées. I started off as a successful high-level alpine skier. After that, I naturally focussed my studies on sports. I spent four wonderful years at the UFR STAPS university in Toulouse to become a professor of sport. Then, at 22, I wanted to give new energy to my professional career. A KEDGE graduate gave me the idea of attending KEDGE. Located in Bordeaux in the south of France, and loaded with pragmatic courses and an international presence, I started there in my second year. The memories that left an impression me? The associative environment and particularly my involvement in Junior-Enterprise (AMS). I also learned a lot from the courses taught by Mr. Estrade and Mr. Regnard. It was where I learned the complex fundamentals of accounting/finance that still use today in my work. 

Tell us what you did once you finished with school: what positions have you held?  What did you learn at those positions?

I left school in 2003 after convincing a finance director at an American petroleum exploration company to hire me to do its financial auditing, first in Russia, then in Brazil.  Then in 2003, a “bit by chance”, my CV landed on the desk of the son of the founder of Intermarché. We both had a passion for sports, and he put me in charge of developing the company’s brand in the countries that were formed after the war in ex-Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Serbia, Romania, and Kosovo. After a 20-minute interview, I decided to take the job. We developed the brand with a network of some 50 stores (Super & Hyper) and, along with some 2,500 associates, we rapidly became No. 1 in the region. I went from being a financial controller to a financial director, and finally became general director in Bosnia. Ten years later (thanks to the KEDGE network via LinkedIn), I went to work for a competitor. In 2012, I opened the first Carrefour supermarket in Macedonia (a small country with a population of 3 million referred to as the “kitchen garden of Europe”). I met my wife and I fell in love with a local business that makes a vegetable spread, which I got involved with in 2015.

What are your development plans for the future?

In the short term, we foresee a very strong investment in the sales and marketing activities of the STARTINE brand and we anticipate increasing the range of products sold under the BALKO brand. We are also launching our first calls for investments to support our development.

How did the education you received at KEDGE Business School and what you learned there help you in developing of your project?

Thanks to KEDGE, I learned the fundamentals of doing business! Being an “Entrepreneur” means having a general knowledge of all subjects, whether it be accounting, marketing, or even strategy.  Also, because of the school’s national and international presence, I was able to build and develop a network of alumni that I knew to use to advance in my professional career (primarily through LinkedIn.)

What if you were asked to give advice to KEDGE graduates and students who would like to take on entrepreneurship?

I had succeeded in my salaried career and I’m happy as an entrepreneur. The choices I’ve made have made this obvious! You have to be passionate, inspired, and work hard.

Anything to add?  A message to pass on?

The launching of our new brand STARTINE in the markets of the Carrefour Group in the Southwest of France (Carrefour Market, Carrefour City, and Carrefour Contact). Have a peek at our website  www.aperostartine.com  or like our Facebook page @aperostartine.