Global Entrepreneurship Week : Stéphanie from "Cocottes"

From 8 to 14 November, it is Global Entrepreneurship Week. This is an opportunity for Yellow to highlight some of the entrepreneurs of the Grand Duchy. And to showcase their concept and their success story.

Today we’re talking to Stéphanie who runs the famous “Cocottes” brand. She talks to us about her great leap into the world of entrepreneurship.

Interview.

It was in 2014 that Stéphanie Jauquet, an entrepreneur at heart, decided to launch the “Cocottes” concept. A catering formula based on fresh, local products and artisanal production.

Today “Cocottes” has no less than 15 shops in Luxembourg, 200 employees and a formula that never ceases to fill hearts (or rather stomachs).

She explains to us the recipe of a concept that is a hit.

Launching yourself into the world of entrepreneurship is no easy task. Weren’t you afraid before jumping into the deep end?

Entrepreneurship has always been in my DNA. I’ve always had this thirst for independence, for launching my own concept and making it succeed. I opened my first restaurant in 2008. Then I opened another restaurant in a business district. I had 300 seats but I only filled my room at lunchtime. That’s when I came up with the catering concept. I benefited from the kitchens and I developed my activity.

Today I have a great team at my side, 200 lieutenants who help me and without whom I could not continue my activity. And we have just built our first kitchen workshop, in the Grass area, on the border.

What qualities do you think a good entrepreneur should have?

First of all, I would say audacity. You have to dare to take risks. As I say, you need to have a lot of guts to start up as an independent (laughs).

And then you need ambition, a certain sense of responsibility.

But above all, you must not be afraid of feeling alone at times. Sometimes you feel like you’re sailing alone in a boat. Especially in a period like the one we have just been through.

What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur who is about to start up?

I would say go for it, without hesitation. When you have entrepreneurship in your belly, you feel it. Then you have to go for it, because you are made for it.

You have recently revised your graphic identity, how is it more representative of the “Cocottes” universe?

The essence of Cocottes is our values of respect for the environment and workers. Our products are local, fresh and in season. Our approach is also a little more eco-responsible every day. This logo is in perfect harmony with all this, since its environmental impact is less significant. Let me explain: by being black instead of blue, we remove polluting ink from each package. Also, our new logo is set against a kraft background, recalling the recycled and recyclable material of our new packaging.