Small Business Profile: Geneviève Everell from Sushi à la maison

Geneviève Everell founded Sushi à la maison in 2008 and is a Staples Preferred member to support her business. She shares her inspirational journey and thoughts on the different facets of entrepreneurship.

How did you start your business?

At 19, I had a job in a small restaurant where I learned how to make sushi. I quickly realized I was passionate about it. As a fun past-time, I would go to my friends' house to prepare sushi and that's how the idea of my company 'Sushi à la maison’ was born. By 2011, I decided to fully invest in the company by working hard and growing a presence on social media. In addition to the chefs at home, I now have 2 restaurants and 3 Comptoirs Sushi franchises in Blainville, Montreal and Quebec City (and very soon Trois-Rivières and Sept-Isles - scheduled to open in Spring 2021). I am an entrepreneur, but I am also a cookbook author, speaker, facilitator and influencer.

What impact has COVID-19 had on your business?

Like many entrepreneurs, I had to be creative to reinvent myself. I proposed a project in Quebec hotels so my team of Miss Sushi, home chefs, could keep their jobs. For me, it is important to continue to keep my staff employed by developing projects adapted to our new reality.

Where do you see your business in one year and five years?

I'm riding the wave. I'm open to taking opportunities that arise. I plan very little. I work a lot on feeling and until now, my flair has always paid off. It's cliché, but our little inner voice guides us much better, and much more, than we think.

Where do you think entrepreneurs should invest their time and money?

I think it is essential to invest in a skilled workforce to ensure the growth of our businesses. I also believe that communications, and especially social media, are very important to allow us to reach a broad consumer base and this has become essential to business success.

What inspires you and makes you work every day?

I am proud to have been able to start my own business. I never thought that this passion for sushi would have taken me to where I am today. I'm still trying to outdo myself with new creations and innovative recipes. What inspires me every day is to be able to create and innovate, to surprise and above all make the kitchen accessible. When I see my recipes in your houses, that's what makes me happy.

What advice would you have for tomorrow's entrepreneurs?

The important thing is to believe in yourself and your project. If you have an idea and believe in it, go for it. Many will tell you not to, don't listen to them. Just because they wouldn't do it doesn’t mean you're not able to. Believing in yourself is the first step to business success.

What are your favorite services as a Staples Preferred member?

I am a fan of Solutionshop, Staples Canada’s marketplace for design, printing, marketing, shipping and tech services. It saves me hours of waiting. While we’re living in a pandemic, I particularly enjoyed the printing service with curbside pickup. With Preferred, I get discounted rates on these services!

Check out Sushi a la Maison: www.sushialamaison.com Follow Geneviève: @misssushialamaison