Myriam Tellier, whom we met two years ago to demystify the obstacles entrepreneurs face when it comes to money , has indeed overcome her fears. Just before the pandemic, she changed her business model: “Wealth and values can coexist. I finally realized how to embody my mission.”

The educational mission of the “businesswoman 2.0”

From occupational therapist and university professor, Myriam Tellier became an entrepreneur, some time after the death of her aunt, which devastated her. With her mother, she created a zero-waste manufacturing workshop for healthy household cleaning products. “My mission is to share the awareness that changed my life, the legacy that my aunt left me, that of thinking about our impact on the planet,” confides Myriam. Her goal is through awareness and change. “I’m missing out if I sell you a product, even an ecological one, if it ends up staying in your cupboards. On the other hand, if it becomes part of your new routine, then I’ve succeeded.”

With Planette products comes an educational mission. After realizing that supermarkets could not offer quality information on its products, Myriam Tellier realized that there was a whole educational and awareness-raising work that needed to be implemented. "The supermarket salesperson does not have time to explain that my product is this color because it is made from raw materials, that it is not homogeneous because of the heat, that you can do 10 household chores with it," she explains. "Or that it is more expensive because it is truly 100% natural, organic, artisanal, made with essential oils. Next to a cheaper product that puts natural-leaning images on its packaging, it is the price that wins."

Mother Nature, a social network for sales

Two years ago, the businesswoman had a brainwave: "It would take Myriams and Ginettes (her mother, who manufactures) all over Quebec to tell the little story. We have lots of aware and satisfied customers, who can explain the why and the how, so I said to myself why wouldn't they become our ambassadors?" The idea of building the Mères Nature network was born.

Before the pandemic, there were 20. Today, there are drop-off points in 85 homes. If the company has weathered the pandemic so well, it is partly because people have had time to think about their lifestyles and have become more aware of their environmental impact. The solution was appropriate: contactless, appointment-based shopping. “It’s a concept that has done people good,” Myriam illustrates. “Imagine: Mother Nature on her balcony explaining how to do it, it’s like chatting in a general store!”

Customers were able to receive all the necessary information and create an authentic attachment to the brand. "Through the connections they establish and the information they circulate, mother natures have the power to transform each new member into an agent of change. It is the most powerful form of marketing."

Valorization of intrapreneurship

While growing her human-scale business, Myriam Tellier created a network based on values of mutual aid. She says she is proud to have strengthened women's confidence and autonomy. "It's rewarding. I see them developing their own projects, they have a sense of accomplishment, and a new financial autonomy."

Without commission or high-pressure sales, Mother Natures buys inventory and makes a profit on the sales they generate. They appear as points of sale on the website (which will be revamped on April 15, along with the branding).

Myriam is committed to developing their entrepreneurial capacity and supporting them. Proactive, she offers ongoing training and customized coaching. Women learn to manage their inventory, their customers, develop their marketing strategy, and create partnerships, particularly with companies, which develops our network. “Personally, entrepreneurship was never presented to me as a career option,” says Myriam. “I want to open up this possibility. I don’t want saleswomen, but self-employed workers. They develop their small business and become intrapreneurs at Planette.” Mother Natures are neither representatives nor saleswomen. They consider themselves to be green shift advisors. “There are two who have left the network,” says Myriam. “They opened their zero-waste store and distribute Planette. It makes me so happy!”