A story of passion
Taking over in the right place at the right time
Written by Place de la Cité | November 23, 2021
In this series, our contributor Julie Blondin sets out to meet the entrepreneurs and managers who make up the soul of Place de la Cité. Between laughter and confidences, they open up to share their story and that of their business with us. We invite you to dive into their world too, one conversation at a time.
Knowing how to seize opportunities
A lawyer by training and holder of a master’s degree in business administration, Julie is taking on a new challenge in her career, namely to ensure the succession of a company with the conviction of keeping our Quebec flagships in Quebec. It was finally in 2020 that the opportunity presented itself to her.
How did you become an entrepreneur?
“I practised law for 15 years, in the financial sector, while pursuing my entrepreneurial projects and the quest for my credentials, namely my MBA, in order to become a manager,” Julie tells us. In her case, the next generation was a question of vision: “I had planted the seed that one of the challenges I wanted to experience was to bring in the next generation of entrepreneurs.” And this long-awaited opportunity presented itself in September 2019 2020, when the owner of Epiderma, who was preparing for retirement, offered her the chance to join the team. Julie therefore arrived in March 2020 to take over as a member of senior management with a great team already in place.
A perfect opportunity, but at a rather uncertain time: “I arrived 10 days before the official period of closure of all clinics” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “So they called me President Covid!” she says with a laugh. Misfortune or golden opportunity? It’s all a question of perspective!
How was your company founded?
“The company is over 20 years old. Pierre [Montminy] built the Epiderma network,” Julie tells us. In partnership with Walter Capital Partners, Mr. Montminy launched Medicart in October 2019 to build the largest network of medical-aesthetic and skin care clinics ever conceived. “We are currently deploying our growth-by-acquisition strategy, and this strategy is being rolled out at lightning speed throughout Quebec and the rest of Canada,” the visionary entrepreneur tells us. Initially renowned for laser treatments, Epiderma is now also increasingly making a name for itself for its anti-aging treatments, including anti-wrinkle treatments.
A women-run company that gives back
Taking care of women and supporting them at every stage of their lives is in Epiderma’s DNA. Calm and thoughtful, Julie tells us how women are at the heart of the company and its values.
What makes you stand out?
Firstly, there is the largest network of aesthetic care, with Medicart: “We have 35 clinics throughout the province and outside Quebec. We are growing fast!” adds Julie. And this network is built on deep-rooted medical expertise, where training is very important. “We have an academy where we take care of the training of our teams, it is a continuous training,” explains the passionate president. “We were the first to set up a virtual clinic in the middle of a pandemic!” she adds with pride. “We innovate a lot. We may be 21 years old, but we’re innovating!” exclaims Julie with a laugh.
“Another factor that sets us apart from the competition is our philanthropic involvement,” adds one of Julie’s colleagues. Indeed, Epiderma is committed to women’s health and well-being above all else. The company demonstrates this by regularly joining forces with partners such as the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, the Lise Watier Foundation, Opération Enfant Soleil and Fillactive to give back to women. “All the causes that help women in need, for us, it’s a duty we have made for ourselves as a company to give back to our customers,” she explains. And since 90% of this clientele is made up of women, it was a natural choice.
And women not only make up Epiderma’s clientele, but also the head of the company. “We have an all-female management team, which really sets us apart!” exclaims Julie with a laugh. A company by women, for women.
Making the best of a difficult situation
Julie has successfully started her own business in these times of pandemic. How? By relying on her skills and those of her team, and by making the best of a bad situation!
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Talking to us about her career, Julie exclaims: “We all face challenges along the way. It’s not the challenges I’ve had [that are important], but how I managed to move to another level with the challenges that arose during my career.” Like many entrepreneurs, she has recently faced labor challenges and, of course, all the other issues related to the pandemic. “It’s been a challenge, yes, but it’s been the best thing for a new manager,” because we remember that Julie became head of the company in March 2020, shortly before a pandemic that would bring about a lot of uncertainty.
Many could have panicked and lost hope in the face of this immense challenge when they had just started their business. But Julie sees it in a very positive and beneficial light: “It was the best opportunity for me to look back, to take the time to reflect and to carry out a strategic analysis with the teams. It proved the strength of my team to me. We develop ‘relationships’ much more in competitions.”
Julie, we admire your boldness, your resilience and your wisdom!
