Finding the right work-life balance as an entrepreneur is the toughest challenge of all

Name: David Souvannavong
Current position: Entrepreneur and Associate, Caviar de Neuvic
Degree earned at Audencia: GE 11
Nationality: French
Residence: Bogotá - Colombia 

Professional path
David’s internships during his studies at Audencia confirmed his suspicions that he didn’t feel cut out to be an employee in a large company. After graduation, David’s father, who has a Japanese restaurant in Paris, offered him the opportunity to test his entrepreneurial skills at the restaurant. For three years he managed the restaurant and his intuitions were correct. Not only was he able to see just how a business was run (finance, accounting, customer and supplier relations, etc.) but he was also realised that he was indeed ready to start his own business.

David looked to Colombia as his brother had been working there for two years. He carried out an intensive study of the Colombian market which supported his conviction that there were great opportunities for entrepreneurs. Initially David wanted to go into tourism and open a youth hostel but the project would have taken too long to get off the ground as the site that he wanted to develop was classified national heritage and the special permits could have taken up to two years to obtain.

Another project, however, was emerging as a result of the cross-pollination of family, friendships and networks. At the end of 2015, David and two other French entrepreneurs set up Caviar de Neuvic in Bogota. Neuvic is a French caviar producer based in the Dordogne and David and his partners are the official representatives in Colombia. David says the Colombians are fond of fine ingredients and gastronomy but that the tradition of eating caviar is almost non-existent; he and his two associates feel that there is a real opportunity for them to develop the Neuvic brand.
Their association works well as they each have their strengths and specific skills set; for David it is finance, a second for communication and marketing and the third for sales.

On becoming an entrepreneur
To thrive in his professional life, David says he needed the challenge and, to an extent, what he calls the “adventure” of being an entrepreneur. He has discovered that being an entrepreneur means that he is 100% himself and that there is no camouflage for him to hide behind.
Running his own business is certainly been a challenge and a lot of work. Finding the right balance between his work and personal life is what David has found to be the toughest challenge of all. He rarely stops working or thinking about work and has very recently set up a new rule of logging off on Sundays.

Passions
Spending time with friends, having a laugh
Running, trekking, half marathons
David loves Latin American music and feels that it truly reflects the culture and “alegria” (joy) of Latin American in general; it is so positive and always makes you want to smile.

Most memorable experience at Audencia
It was so long ago, but I remember coming back from my exchange semester in Monterrey (Mexico), I came back and I felt a really strong connexion with the Erasmus students in our marketing track. I met some wonderful people from all around the world and made some friends for life.

Advice to international students looking to work in Colombia
Colombia has excellent schools and universities and trains many skilled managers who are chasing the same kind of job as students and graduates from schools in Europe. David’s main piece of advice is to have a well-defined specialisation or skill. VIE positions in finance or logistics are also a good way of entering the job market in Colombia. For budding entrepreneurs, Bogotá has long been established as a business hub for Latin America and Colombia is an emerging economy which can be a stepping stone to expansion into other Latin American markets.

Staying in touch with Audencia
Since arriving in Colombia, David has taken on responsibility for the Audencia Alumni chapter in Bogotá. For him, this is a great way of keeping in touch with the School.