Monsieur Renaud’s fault | Press

Isabelle Massey
Press

Last April, while working under the Dominican Republic sun, Bruno Renaud had fun on Easter Monday. Sweat poured down his temples, but not because the temperature was tropical. He just sent an email. A formality in other times, other skies. But the co-founder of Jameo, a personalized apparel SME, picked the wrong list of recipients…

“I had to send my communication to investors with our business results,” says Bruno Renaud. I sent it to 4,600 people instead of 23, including customers. After a few seconds, he receives messages that he shouldn’t normally receive. “My first instinct is to reread what I just sent,” he continues. It’s a good month at least, but I’m talking about raising our prices. »

A miracle on this day after Christ’s resurrection! A mistake is never classified as unforgivable. On the contrary, it has motivated the company to be more transparent with its employees and customers. “People appreciate our growth,” says Bruno Renaud. Three people sent us their CVs, writing to us: “To fill in if you ever have a job.” ! »

A new department at the Sherbrooke company’s site, called Sustainable Development, was born out of the gaffe. In this labor crisis, when organizations are opening their arms wide to attract employees, this section looks like a list of persuasive arguments to get people to apply!

We specifically read there that employees have all the options to work remotely as far as South America if they want to. A dozen Jameo employees are involved in the company’s business planning. That they are likely to become shareholders. The company is carbon neutral certified by LCL Environment. And, after all, Jameo’s clothes are created in Quebec, but designed in Pakistan.

Thus we can read: “We have developed a relationship of trust and friendship with our supplier. Here is the proof [photo à l’appui] : We were invited to the wedding of the owner of our production plant and our CEO Bruno was the best man. Since our inception, we have been working closely with our supplier and visit him regularly. »

“During the pandemic, during the Blue Basket, many companies say they are Quebecers, but they buy in China, for example, notes Bruno Renaud. Not everything can be done in Quebec. But are the conditions good enough? »

The site also shows how much of the customer’s bill is spent on research and development, profits and salaries. “We are not afraid to share the good and the bad with our investors, for example,” says Bruno Renaud.

New platform

Jameo recently raised $1.1 million in funding from angel investors as well as BDC and Investment Quebec to build and launch a technology platform that allows users to create their own personalized items. It should come into effect in a few months. This will help to reach a wider customer base and strengthen Jameo’s vertical supply chain. “For us it is more or less possible to go through a distributor, because we are not into premade products,” explains Bruno Renaud.

With this platform, customers can design their own clothes and select sizes, specifically, avoiding the steps of paper submission and personal appointments. “From now on, orders will be made more quickly,” says Bruno Renaud. We will be more supportive. »

Jameo (formerly Unique Wool) counts among its customers universities, SMEs, start-ups and large organizations such as Cascades and Decathlon. “Companies have a shortage of employees, so they try to increase their own feeling, says Bruno Renaud. And that often includes personalized, unique clothing (hoodie, fleece, etc.). »

The company said it had a sales growth of 108% over the past year and expects another jump of between 75% and 100% for the current year.