What are the core values and beliefs that guide your decision-making as a scale-up entrepreneur?

Carolyn Prestat. —“A scale-up company is a system in constant motion: new team members, new ideas, new priorities… The faster the development, the greater the likelihood of losing the balance. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, I have to define unshakeable and unchangeable pillars: – one vision, the North Star, embodied by me as a leader and visible by my team whatever the winds and currents; - one mission, which makes us get up every morning and drives us at every moment; - one voice, the confidence I have in my vision, in my team, and in the values that connect them.

In your opinion, what are the unique challenges that come with growing a business rapidly, and how do you navigate them?

“A scale-up is a four-engine outboard. When launched at full speed, a steering error can be fatal. Faced with uncertainty, many prefer to wander in several directions rather than make a choice, for fear of making the wrong one. As a result, most of them fail. As an entrepreneur, I don’t know what tomorrow will be like either, but I believe in my vision and in my team. My role is to make clear-cut decisions quickly, to provide my team with the glasses that match my vision and to empower them to make things happen, all in one direction.

What drives and motivates you to persevere during challenging times as a scale-up entrepreneur, and how do you maintain a positive outlook and mindset?

“My drivers are my team and my customers. 24 employees rely on me, hundreds of customers rely on us. My role is to prove to them every day that they made the right choice in choosing Fiveoffices, as an employee or as a client. Because my confidence in each of my team members and in Fiveoffices’ mission is absolute.  My shareholders, as well, of course, because without them, the scale-up would not have taken place and because their confidence in me gives me wings. Being an entrepreneur is not about being naively positive and confident in the future. It is to be confident that no matter what the crises and problems are, together with the team, we will find the solution that will keep us afloat.”