"You Have to Take Care of Yourself": An Interview with Julien Vasseur

There are times in the mentoring process when financial indicators, contracts, or growth metrics no longer matter. Julien Vasseur, head of mentoring programs at La base entrepreneuriale – HEC Montréal, shares his experience: “The problem wasn’t the business. The problem was the entrepreneur, who wasn’t doing well anymore.”

When the Urgency Isn't in the Numbers

Julien says that one evening, a business owner broke down right in front of him. Not because a deal fell through, nor because a client hadn’t called back. But because the pressure that had been building up had finally gotten the better of him. “I’m not a therapist. I’m not a social worker,” says Julien. “My job is just to tell him: you have to take care of yourself.”

From that point on, everything becomes concrete: how can we ensure that this entrepreneur doesn’t end up dealing with burnout all on his own?

The simple idea that La base entrepreneuriale – HEC Montréal actively promotes: a business thrives when its entrepreneur thrives

This event was not an isolated incident. It served as a catalyst for a collective effort that had already been undertaken by their team, initiated by Luis Cisneros, Robert Dutton, and others before them.

Their vision is clear: you can't support a business if you don't understand the state of the person behind it.

From that point on, La base entrepreneuriale has taken a series of concrete actions.

Get moving, breathe, and break out of isolation: practical steps

1. Being right in the heart of the Université de Montréal campus opens up new possibilities. The organization has negotiated access to CEPSUM, the university’s sports center, for the entrepreneurs it supports.
2. A running club has been formed. Entrepreneurs hike the mountain every Wednesday. Even the in-house team at La Base has joined in. Because running together is also a way to break out of isolation.
3. Ludo Challenges, developed by a startup that emerged from their programs, is an app that encourages users to get moving, complete simple everyday tasks, and stay motivated as a team. It’s an effective way to inject some movement into days that can sometimes be too hectic.

Parapluie: a clear commitment

When the new Parapluie offer arrived, La base didn't hesitate. "If there's an offer to protect contractors' health, we've got to get on board."

Because, at the end of the day, supporting a startup isn't just about helping to structure a value proposition or refine a pitch. It's about making sure the person behind the project stays on their feet.

So it was without hesitation that we invited Julien to share his experience and kindness loud and clear at the Parapluie launch event on November 11, 2025. These remarks are taken from his remarks during the event.