After holding numerous high-level positions in major companies, Virginie Nantas (PGE 95) embarked on a new adventure 10 years ago: entrepreneurship. She launched Entre 2 Rétros, offering bags and accessories designed for mobility using upcycled materials from the automotive sector, catering to vintage car enthusiasts. You can find her products in our good deals section! 

In this interview, she shares her preparation, acceleration phases, and challenges faced during the endurance race that is starting a business.

Virginie Nantas (PGE 95)

After several experiences in leadership positions at PWC, Sony, and Bouygues Telecom, 10 years ago, what motivated you to take the leap into entrepreneurship and found Entre 2 Retros? 

Hello, thank you for this interview. Several things motivated me: coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I always dreamed of starting my own business. After over 10 years at Bouygues Telecom, at almost 40 years old, I told myself it was the right time to take the leap and try a new experience. 

What advice would you give to those who wish to start their own venture for a successful launch?  

I would advise you to carefully consider your goals and allocate resources that match your ambitions. Indeed, the efforts required are not the same whether you want to remain a one-person operation or rapidly expand and build a team. I believe it was a mistake at the beginning, in my case, to have underestimated the need for substantial resources. To establish a strong and visible brand, you need significant means, and it's crucial to make a powerful impact right from the start. 

Sustainable fashion and upcycling, in which you are one of the pioneers, are at the core of your concept. Why did you specifically choose automotive fabrics and leathers as raw materials?   

Recovering these automotive fabrics was a genuine opportunity. Having a grandfather and father who worked in this industry, I have always been connected to this world. I learned that these fabrics were being discarded, even crushed. My ecological sensibility kicked in, and I told myself that it was essential to reclaim and transform them, especially since these fabrics are sturdy and long-lasting materials. 

Your positioning is clearly marked by an ecological dimension. How far do you take the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach within your company?  

Our goal is to have a sustainable approach in everything we do. This year, we replaced plastic packaging with upcycled fabric covers.

In the office, we only print official documents, or else we reuse the back of printed sheets. Our workshop is also committed to a zero-waste approach…

How did you build your project? Your initial training and years of experience must have been helpful. Did you receive any external help or support? 

I built my project by starting with a competitor analysis while I was still working in my previous job. It took me one year to study the market, develop my offering, define my positioning, find suppliers, create initial prototypes, and test these products.

I was able to seek advice from friends and other entrepreneurs, and I met people from the fashion industry. I received assistance from a stylist to design the products.

My years of experience were valuable: whether it was in auditing or marketing, I learned a lot about processes and acquired many working methods. Regardless of what you do in life, having a systematic approach and rigor is essential, and as for the work ethic, I've always had it, and it comes from my upbringing.

How do you see Entre 2 Retros evolving over the years? Do you plan to expand into other sectors to source materials and develop new identities? Are there plans for new types of products? 

What's great about entrepreneurship is that you always have new ideas and projects coming up. The hardest part is being able to finance them.

For the past few months, I've been looking to bring in investors to help develop the brand, as mentioned at the beginning of the interview. Unfortunately, the current economic situation provides little visibility and temporarily puts this project on hold. To any readers who might be interested, I'm available to answer their questions J

We are going to develop products in collaboration with a social reintegration workshop in France, which I'm particularly excited about. Combining circular economy, made in France, and social impact is a dream I've had since starting E2R.

From a personal standpoint, what do you take away from this adventure? 

It's been almost 10 years since I started my business, and I believe I've gone through all phases, from landing significant contracts to dealing with administrative matters like Urssaf controls. In short, from moments of ecstasy to stress... Being an entrepreneur is undoubtedly very enriching; you get to know yourself better, and you learn new things every day.

You gain one of the most beautiful things: freedom, but it comes at the cost of a lot of stress, sometimes a lower salary than that of an employee, and above all, you never truly disconnect. You can't tell your clients that you're on vacation!

We have just gone through an unprecedented crisis, which unfortunately is not yet over. How did you experience it as an entrepreneur?  

It was very tough and stressful. Overnight, everything came to a halt, and you don't know when it will resume. 80% of my business was impacted, and for now, I haven't reached the levels of the previous year.

The solitude of being an entrepreneur is significant, and it intensified during the lockdown. Besides, I had to support the people I work with who were feeling lonely.

The positive aspect was having time to reflect and do things I usually don't have time for: communicate more with my clients, design new products, revamp my website...

What message would you like to share with the network as a final word? 

Thank you to everyone who has read this interview. I would be delighted to exchange with you if you have any questions or needs. One of my activities is to offer responsible corporate gifts to companies, so feel free to reach out!

The network is crucial in an entrepreneurial journey, and I am touched by the kindness of alumni and their willingness to help.

Lastly, if you have a project that is close to your heart, don't be afraid to take risks. It's better to try than to spend your life regretting not having done it!

Discover all her creations, which would undoubtedly delight many automobile enthusiasts, through her good deal on neoma-alumni.com and on her website! 

I'm discovering  :

The good deal                             Entre 2 Rétros website