"In Quebec, we cannot afford to lose the entrepreneurs we already have": the mission of Nathaly Riverin and Persévérance Entrepreneuriale

When we talk about entrepreneurship in Quebec, we often talk about innovation, growth, succession, and business takeover. We talk much less about an issue that is nevertheless essential: the psychological and financial survival of those who are already in business and are going through a period of turbulence.

This is precisely the domain of Nathaly Riverin, founder of Persévérance Entrepreneuriale. Her message is clear:

"In Quebec, we cannot afford to lose the entrepreneurs we already have."

A shrinking pool of entrepreneurs

Nathaly starts with a worrying observation: the figures show a significant decline in entrepreneurship. By 2025–2026, there could be fewer than 100,000 Quebec entrepreneurs living here, operating a business here, and employing at least one person.

At the same time, several factors are coming together:

• less profitable companies;
• higher debt;
• a series of crises.

This cocktail creates enormous stress for entrepreneurs and a blind spot: struggling businesses.

A safety net for people and for the company

The Persévérance Entrepreneuriale program supports entrepreneurs for one year, with a very clear philosophy: people are more important than the business. 

In concrete terms, the program combines coaching, co-development, training, and access to around 25 experts to clarify specific issues.

Following this program, the majority of participants regain a form of profitability and, above all, the ability to make clear-headed decisions.

Persévérance Entrepreneuriale offers what is most lacking: a neutral, confidential, empathetic space.

During a focus group with participants, the words that emerged to describe the program were telling: "safe space," "place to be authentic," "stop feeling guilty," "vent," "empathy," "right to say 'I don't have the answer.'"

As part of the Parapluie campaign, Persévérance Entrepreneuriale is contributing with a very concrete offer: the Clarifier program. This is a two-hour financial assessment that aims to:

• put the right figures in front of your eyes;
• identify some possible solutions;
• reduce financial stress, which weighs heavily on mental health.

Don't trivialize suffering, don't normalize exhaustion

Perseverance Entrepreneuriale and Parapluie converge around the same intuition:

"If we still want entrepreneurs to create wealth in two, five, ten years' time, we need to take care of those who are on the front line today."