This Kedger has founded the "Tinder" of networkers!

WUP Networking is based on a unique and innovative algorithm, which allows those with profiles that correspond to the expectations of networkers, coaches, and other members of the public who are looking for new professional and personal challenges.

💬 INTERVIEW

1️⃣ To begin, tell us about your educational background. What did you study, both before and at KEDGE? 

At the end of the second year of high school (2^nd year in France, 10th grade in the US, and S4 in the UK) we have to choose our career path. For me, I was lucky enough to have the STI programme open while I was in first year. I was more interested in scientific and technical subjects. Naturally, after I finished the STI electronic option, I did a GEII Technology degree. At the end of my programme, I didn't see myself working in machine/ tools; I had higher ambitions. In addition to my technical knowledge, I had to add a business credential. When I was looking for a school in my area, KEDGE Toulon was without a doubt the one to attend. I did its international Business programme and earned a degree in Business Engineering.

2️⃣Tell us what you did after your studies were finished. What positions have you held? What did you learn in those positions? 

Shortly after I graduated in September 2007, I went to work for the Parisian company Chauvin-Arnoux - on 8 October that same year – as Export Manager for Central Europe, Southern Europe, Turkey, and Israel. I held that position for five years, during which I trained in trade, export, and negotiations (which is different in every country). I also managed a portfolio of more than 25 distributors in just over 20 countries and managed a team of three people. As I travelled two to three weeks out of each month, I was the person who was most in touch with our distributors and their customers. This is was an important and very valuable point, because as soon as I returned from travelling, I shared field information with the marketing and communication teams. We had the common goal of improving our products and services, which mainly consisted of measuring the quality of our electricity networks. I always liked to find team spirit and cooperation, which has some similarities with team sports. However, this field didn’t suit me. My passion was high-end watchmaking. Unfortunately, in France you are told: "You have no experience in the luxury field and no training." After a few days researching schools, I found a business school in Paris that trains people in luxury professions. It offered training divided into two semesters, the first in the classroom and the second in the workplace. So, I enrolled in the programme. When I found myself a student again at 29 years old and living in Paris, I had to find an additional income and a friend told me about relationship marketing, e.g. how to earn passive income. I immediately embraced this economic model and quickly understood what building a network would represent, the effect its leverage it would have, and its leverage effect and the increase of my time. I started with Organo Gold in 2012 and very quickly built a network of more than 400 partners. I decide to fully invest myself in this activity and finish my training in luxury items at the same time. I went to work for a new company in 2015, and now have a network of more than 2,200 partners, with a presence in some ten countries, which has allowed me to earn a passive income. In 2016, at the same time as being a “networker” my brother, a friend, and I bought the franchise rights of a company named "Bubble Bump". We are developing the business in East and West Toulon. It’s a completely new concept, and the appetite is direct. We’ve had many anniversaries, EVJJ and EVG, and have organised incentive days for companies, sports clubs, and associations. We had excellent results. However, for personal reasons, we decided to sell our shares at the end of 2017. These last two ventures gave me a foothold in the entrepreneurial arena and I’m not about to sink again.

3️⃣ What are you doing/what is your situation today? What gave you the idea and desire to do what are you doing today?

We've been working on WUP Networking for one year now. Our main mission is job creation through relationship marketing activities. How? By connecting those people looking for a job, additional income, professional retraining, or even a career path, with Networkers/VDIs, people active in direct sales or relationship marketing. I partnered with a couple of friends, Julien and Nadège Verdon, both from the very high-level sports world. Having created one of the largest tennis academies in France, they both have a hardened entrepreneurial spirit and a thorough knowledge of how to run a company. It was at lunch that the idea began to take shape. We discussed our respective activities and I explained to them what relationship marketing was, which was completely unknown to them. Very quickly, they understand the strong potential of this activity and a weak/defect point: the method was an archaic way of prospecting and developing your business. Considered to be a 21st-century company, they made a valid remark: "There is no networking app dedicated to this activity. "It is true that this fast-growing industry has a bright future ahead of it, especially in view of the French and global socio-economic situation. At that point, we associated others who seemed equally influential and who led us to the idea of creating WUP Networking. Many French people with a permanent contract or in retirement are in a precarious position. They need additional income. Some would like to start a business but can’t afford it. A study showed that 35% of the unemployed would be willing to become an independent sales distributor, but don’t know where to turn. We understand that many of these people have little or no knowledge of the direct sales industry which, in 2017, represented 19,500 jobs created (part-time and full-time combined) in France, for a total of 700,000 networkers. There’s no communication bridge between these two worlds. We understand that one of the main problems of the "Networkers" is prospecting to find new customers and partners and there is a need for an app to help these people find a job in relationship marketing by connecting them with networkers from all walks of life. This same app can help them receive training in this profession by putting them in contact with professional coaches who specialise in relationship marketing and personal development. After studying the mobile app market, it became obvious that we needed to create the "TINDER" of relationship marketing! "That's how WUP NETWORKING, the first global networking app dedicated to relationship marketing professions, came into being!

IOS APP   ANDROID APP

4️⃣ What are your business goals for the future?

First, we are developing in French-speaking countries, with France as a pilot country. Our objective is to gain a 10% market share within two years. Our next step would be to develop in Europe, in Germany, Italy, and the UK, in that order. Similarly, our objective is to gain a 10% market share. Finally, as a third step, we will develop in the United States. For this, we are working on a fundraising project, which is essential to the strong development of our company, and which will require a CTO, a community manager, and a sales team on the business side. On the application side, we will, of course, work on new features and improvements. Therefore, more developments will need to be financed. We are also setting up seminars in personal development interspersed with relational marketing over the next year. These will be organised in collaboration with our three well-known "Coaches", and one "Guest star" per event. 

5️⃣How did your education at KEDGE Business School help you become who you are today, and which of its courses helped you develop your project?

Beyond the academic education you receive, I think that KEDGE especially provided personal development. Of course, the important topics are for a good understanding of markets, companies, etc., are taught; however, I would put more emphasis on that you learn teamwork, cohesion, and how to push yourself.

6️⃣ Arnaud, anything else to say?

Kedgers can give us a boost by liking our Facebook page and our Instagram account. The big plus would be to download the app and create a "Public" profile, "Networker" if you do relationship marketing, or "Coach" if you are in personal and/or professional development training. We would like to attract the attention of private investors to participate in our fundraising. In fact, if you are able to help us create a fundraising account, any help or support will be greatly appreciated.

FACEBOOK   WEBSITE   INSTAGRAM   FLIPBOOK

App Digital Digital PIA