Par
Lea Pippinato
Published on
“I started granting my first racket at 14, after an injury that stopped me. I was a national badminton player, but my knees said stop. »This is howArmand Dujardinnow aged 22 anstells the origin of a singular course. What could have been only a trajectory accident has become the base of a profession. He trained in rope, first in a local store in Jacou, then with the world’s largest brands: Forza, Victor, Yonex. By dint of practice and passion, he obtained the status of international cord and participated in European tournaments where he equips the best players on the continent.
In parallel, Armand continues his school and professional career. BAC PRO SAFETY, BTS in security management, work -study workmanship. He plans to become a gendarme for a time, but his injury dismisses him from the competition. So he branches off, again. But this time, to return to his first love: the racket.
Elynor, a personal project anchored in the concrete
“I always wanted to create something. I didn’t know what exactly, but I needed it. When his contract ends, Armand starts. He contacted the Occitanie region, the Chamber of Trades, trained in business creation, obtains funding, set up a solid file. It is followed by Initiative Pic Saint-Loup, a structure that supports young entrepreneurs. Thanks to this network, he wins zero -rate loans, bank support from Banque Populaire, and access to an ecosystem of local business leaders. But what delays the project is the commercial premises. For more than eight months, he was looking without success. “Between April and January, I visited, expected, negotiated. Nothing. As soon as I found the right location, everything accelerated. »The room is located Crèsclose to many racket clubs. A strategic location, both central and without direct competition. Armand also joins the franchise Elynorone of the major players in the sale of badminton equipment in France.
In his store, Armand offers equipment, accessories, customizable clothes and above all, a sharp rope service. “This is my expertise. I want it to be what distinguishes me. He alone provides the services, with a promise: to make a racket corded within 48 to 72 hours. Elsewhere, you sometimes have to wait a week. The basic service is 12 euros. With the rope, it goes up around 20 euros. The prices vary according to sports: tennis, badminton, padel, pickleball … all are covered, with an offer to widen towards table tennis or beach tennis. “I didn’t want to limit myself to the badminton, even if it’s my sport. In tennis and in padel, and there are more licensees. »In France, tennis counts 20,000 licensees. The badminton brings together 3,000.
An entrepreneur alone, but well surrounded
Armand manages everything himself: orders, stock, rope, customer relations, administrative. He plans to quickly recruit a backbone and also counts on the Elynor network to make his place. An application is planned to reserve rope slots, put your snowshoes in Pick and Collect, follow its services. The date is fixed: This Thursday, June 26, 2025Elynor opens its doors to the public. Exclusive offers are planned, a competition to integrate the “Team Elynor” will allow a customer to become a ambassador, sponsored by the store.
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