How did you meet?

Noémi: It was during a speed dating event with mentors organized by Entrepreneuriat Laval, a partner organization of Réseau M , at Université Laval. We were “matched”. Before this event, I didn’t really know what mentoring was. I seized this opportunity, even though I wasn’t convinced that it would work given that we come from completely different backgrounds.

Benoit: Contrasts have never worried me in the mentoring relationship, but this time, we were at opposite ends of the spectrum! However, we quickly realized that our fields of activity were of no importance since it was the human contact that counted. I have never seen Noémi's financial statements, and yet when she has challenges that arise, our relationship takes on its full meaning.

How has your dyad evolved over the years?

Noémi: My company grew very quickly and I needed Benoit to have a bigger picture of the business and make smarter choices. I had no experience when I started in 2015 at the age of 21. I needed someone I trusted to confirm that I could be confident about what was coming.

Benoit: She now has a second company, Productions RN, and her business is doing really well. She has become an accomplished businesswoman that I really appreciate, but we don't have dinner together on Saturday nights! We have kept a certain distance that the mentor-mentee relationship requires. That said, the contact is very pleasant and I always look forward to our monthly meetings.

What do you mean by a certain distance?

Noémi: Our relationship is important, honest and simple, because it does not contain emotional involvement, as is the case with my family members or my circle of friends, for example. The fact remains that Benoit will always be there for me, in my good times as well as in my bad times. It's good that there is this distance and this proximity at the same time.

Benoit: This proximity/distance allows a lot of openness. Noémi is able to tell me what she feels. When we are together, we are not afraid to discuss real things.

What do you think made you a perfect match?

Noémi: Simply because we clicked and our journey together allowed me to make the right choices at the right times. I might not have been game to do everything I did if I hadn't had my mentor. He allowed me to grow both personally and professionally.

Three years ago I was in my apartment sewing dresses all night and today I am starting my second business. Our dyad is more important than ever as I face all these new challenges!

Benoit: It's the same for me. Mentors give a lot to our mentees, but we also receive a lot. I'm 64 years old and I still learn a lot from them! If it were to stop tomorrow morning, there would definitely be a huge gap in my life.