Mastering the Art of Work-Life Balance: An Inspiring Journey with Aymeric de Ferrières

In today's episode of Bright Founders Talk by Temy, we are thrilled to bring you an engaging conversation with Aymeric de Ferrières, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Stafiz, a rapidly growing company making strides in the software world. Aymeric sits with us for an enlightening and open conversation where he shares his perspective on a range of topics - from personal habits to his entrepreneurial journey.

Despite being a self-confessed introvert, Aymeric proves to be a wellspring of insight as he discusses the value of teamwork, his stance on risk-taking, and how he maintains work-life balance in the midst of helming a successful startup. If you've ever wondered about the person behind the 'machine,' prepare to dive deep into the life and thought process of this dynamic business leader.

Morning Person and Risk-Taker: Aymeric de Ferrières Unpacks his Entrepreneurial Journey

The first rays of dawn are barely breaking through, and Aymeric is already kick-starting his day at 7 AM sharp. And mind you, it's not 5 AM, as he cheekily points out during our conversation. One might question the significance of this routine detail, but it's these small puzzle pieces that together form the larger picture of his entrepreneurial story. A self-proclaimed "morning person," he attributes his impressive drive to this early bird routine, fuelling his energy to take on challenges as the Co-founder of Stafiz.

Aymeric's journey is built on a foundation of evolving perspectives and constant growth. As he puts it, "Team, I've been more independently before now, I think I get the value of the team." This transition from an independent worker to understanding the importance of teamwork has been instrumental in his professional journey. It's in these understated shifts that we see the essence of his leadership style - adaptive, thoughtful, and always learning.

When probed further, Aymeric unabashedly labels himself a risk-taker, a trait that's seemingly synonymous with entrepreneurship. Amid interesting debates with his co-founder, he leans towards risk-taking, acknowledging its significance in their business venture. His strikingly candid confession, "Entrepreneurship is a little bit risk-taking, and I'm more on the side than he is," serves as a testament to his courage and conviction. With his knack for maintaining a work-life balance and candid views on networking, Aymeric takes us through the less-travelled paths of his entrepreneurial journey, making for an engaging narrative.

Pushing Boundaries and Embracing Pivot: Aymeric de Ferrières Dives into Stafiz's Growth Journey

Through the noise of networking events and the clamor of startup hustles, Aymeric finds himself steadfastly pursuing growth. It's no easy feat, as he's constantly pushing himself to delve into new realms, including those he's not innately comfortable with. It's this stretch, he believes, that lends value to his entrepreneurial journey. As Aymeric explains, "Now, I'm finding the time to do it because that's the moment where I think it will bring more value." This pursuit, while seemingly burdensome, actually serves as an emblem of Aymeric's determination and unwavering commitment.

Like most entrepreneurs, Aymeric and his team at Stafiz experienced a pivotal shift in their business trajectory. With their initial focus on a niche industry, they soon recognized the need to broaden their market scope. It wasn't a complete pivot, as Aymeric clarifies, but it necessitated significant adjustments to their product and user experience to accommodate multiple industries. In his own words, "We had to readjust the product and completely the UX to make it work for more than one industry."

A balancing act between short and long-term goals keeps Aymeric on his toes. While the immediate demands of managing a startup often take precedence, he understands the importance of a long-term vision. "At least once a week, two hours with my co-founder, we really only focus on long-term goals," he says, emphasizing the necessity of strategy and long-term thinking to fuel growth. Through this intricate dance of immediate needs and future aspirations, Aymeric is shaping a business model that's resilient, dynamic, and primed for success.

Redefining Collaboration in the Digital Age: Aymeric's Journey of Growth Amidst Challenges

In the realm of technology, finding the perfect solution can often resemble finding a needle in a haystack. When Aymeric introduced resource planning to simplify activity monitoring and enhance collaborations between professional services and organisations, the idea was to make the process efficient and automated. The initiative combined various elements like the capacity to allocate work on different projects, search among profiles, and most importantly, identifying the best person for the task at hand. "Our mission was to find the best casting for the work requested by the client," Aymeric reminisced, "and to ensure growth and satisfaction for our employees and clients in terms of work quality."

Interestingly, the global pandemic came as an unexpected catalyst for Aymeric's team. He notes, "COVID gave us a boost because companies began focusing on their internal processes." The reduction in projects during the pandemic meant that companies sought ways to become more efficient. This demand led to a substantial growth in their customer base, allowing them to expand their team. From a humble team of a few members in 2018 to a thriving company of 35 employees in 2023, Aymeric's journey exemplifies resilience and growth in the face of challenges.

Navigating the tricky waters of international expansion, Aymeric points out the unique challenges faced by his team. These range from adapting to local regulations to generating organic leads in new territories, tasks that are often easier said than done. But Aymeric remains undeterred and emphasises the need for patience and persistence. He shares, "You have to understand that it takes between six and twelve months for inbound leads to start paying off. But the journey is worth the destination." As they continue to expand, these words capture Aymeric's optimism and resilience, painting a vibrant picture of a bright future ahead.

Aymeric's Journey: Balancing the Babies of Life - Fatherhood and Startups

In a world where startups are lovingly referred to as an entrepreneur's 'baby', Aymeric confesses to one of the most common dilemmas faced by these devoted 'parents': the struggle of work-life balance. Aymeric recognizes the challenge of carving out physical and mental space for both his biological and entrepreneurial offspring. "You need to create some space… for your family. That's the most challenging part," he admits. With his baby demanding the same 24/7 dedication as his business, it's a delicate act of constant juggling.

However, in the face of this new familial challenge, Aymeric has honed his time management skills rather than reducing his workload. "You have no choice," he explains, addressing the adjustments required in balancing both personal and professional life. He strongly rejects the idea of sacrificing social life for work, arguing that increasing efficiency is the key to harmonious coexistence. In a best quote from the interview, he reveals, "Being more efficient was crucial."

Aymeric's curiosity and ability to dive deep into subjects are among his strongest assets. The readiness to ask questions, even in an ever-evolving tech landscape, is something he praises, asserting, "You need to ask questions, in every, every aspect of the work." This hunger for knowledge has aided him in his entrepreneurial journey, pushing him to bootstrap and focus on a niche market. Despite his doubts about the decision not to raise funds initially, Aymeric is comfortable with his company's growth trajectory and believes in the advantages of his chosen path. As he looks ahead to expanding his venture into new geographies and markets, he aspires to ride the wave of AI, positioning his company to leverage the transformative power of technology.

Oleksandra KashubaMarketing Manager at Temy

I’m intrinsically motivated to bring out the best in people and brands. I believe marketing has the most incredible power to impact businesses and people. At Bright Founders Talk, we are eager to connect successful founders with beginners seeking guidance, mentorship, and motivation. Exploring those entrepreneurial stories is an excellent boost for stepping outside the box.