Guy Cormier
26 mai 2023
"If I remember one thing from my conversations and meetings, it's that we have talent in Quebec, and ambitious young people who are charging ahead in life to make their way. Young people like Vincent Lavoie, whose entrepreneurial spirit really impressed me."
Seeing that the Sainte-Marie d'Alma church in his region was for sale, Vincent expressed his interest. At just 21 years old, seeing potential, he wanted to convert it into a hotel and a dairy bar. Think about it... buying a church, at 21! However, acquiring a church is not an easy thing. Between negotiations with the Fabrique council and the diocese, Vincent also had to win the hearts of the parishioners, attached to their heritage and somewhat reluctant to entrust it to such a young man.
But Vincent was determined and convincing, because two years later, it was a done deal!
In the summer of 2022, the church doors opened and citizens and passers-by discovered a new dairy bar; the Saint-Crème. A success all along the line! As Vincent explained to me, the church has once again become the gathering point for the entire community. If all goes as planned, Vincent will welcome his first customers in one of the 10 rooms of the Autel-Relais next July. The rooms will be set up in the church, upstairs. The ground floor will be transformed into a new community living space, where the Saint-Crème will, of course, have pride of place.
Inspired by his confidence and determination to complete this ambitious $2.3 million project, I asked him what message he wanted to convey to people of his generation.
“I would tell them not to be afraid to take bold initiatives. To get into business early and believe in their ideas with all the perseverance in the world. We need motivated people who want to try new things, because they are the ones who will shape the world of tomorrow.”
What a great message of hope. Yes, let's shape the world of tomorrow.
Dreaming the impossible? Absolutely. Vincent Lavoie demonstrates it eloquently. His ambition is matched only by the number of opportunities for our entrepreneurs, everywhere in Quebec!
According to the article by Mr. Guy Cormier, President and CEO - Mouvement Desjardins, published on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/vincent-lavoie-sinvestir-dans-sa-r%2525C3%2525A9gion-une-%2525C3%2525A9glise-%2525C3%2525A0-la-guy-cormier%3FtrackingId=ct9DsgNJQmWPHPOorTO1Zw%253D%253D/?trackingId=ct9DsgNJQmWPHPOorTO1Zw%3D%3D