At 46, Fritz has been living in Corsica for several years after almost two decades of a hectic life in Paris, at the head of a communications agency specialized in fashion and luxury. Then, the discovery of his illness made him slow down professionally until he found the right treatment, more than twenty pills daily. “ Today, I am recognized as a disabled worker, which allows me to reduce my working hours and be able to adapt my schedule depending on the illness. “, he specifies.
He lives on the Disabled Adult Allowance (AAH) of around 1000 euros per month, while paying himself “remuneration” via the e-commerce site of his new project, Esprit Bastiais, a brand clearance store concept for women and men, between 3800 and 5000 euros in dividends when necessary. “ I made this informed choice to see the economic viability different projectshe admits. And also bring out the people who work with me. I manage to live on this allowance and take a little more money from time to time if necessary.”
No salary
It is also in order not to put pressure on turnover that Fritz has chosen not to not get paid for two years, but also to initially reduce its payroll. For the moment, the team is made up of around fifteen people and should increase to 50 by the end of the year with a certain number of openings planned in France within the same time frame. “I come from HEC so I have this business side,” he says. Also, we will have to structure ourselves with a headquarters in Paris.”
Because in addition to his stores, Fritz has other projects: an inclusive brand which will be released in mid-June, another ethical decoration brand made by people in professional reintegration planned for the next edition of Maison&Objet, a ready-to-wear house with a fashion show in the port of Bastia and a talk show project. “ I’m not actually unemployedhe notes. We all know that the crux of the matter is money, but kindness remains a central subject in everything I do. My success is that of others because I am not alone “. The proof? He says he is offering a salary over 14 months and monthly bonuses of up to 1000 euros to its employees.
A slate of 60,000 euros
In any case, Fritz came back from the fashion sector: “ This is a sector known for leaving unpaid debtshe reveals. I spent my time chasing money. Besides, I closed my old agency with a slate of 60,000 euros from three clients “. Please note, he is delighted with his 22 years of professional experience but he is more serene with today’s business, even if it goes quickly, ” I realize it as things progress “. In any case, he says to stay calmto the great astonishment of his friends, who know that he will not be around much for the next two years. “ If I crash, I crashhe puts things into perspective. At least I tried “.
The entrepreneur has no problem with his salary which he does not consider just as a number: “ It must be associated with the number of hours worked, the strategy implemented, the reduction of costs, the emergence of certain employeeshe insists. We can’t give a price until we know how much work goes into it.how we will succeed in making money “. But how does the AAH amount relate to the cost of living? He mentions resident rates for plane tickets, valid all year round for the Corsicans, and lower rents and on the restaurant side, stable rates throughout the year, which do not increase with the arrival of tourists, in Bastia. What about clothes? “ Jokerhe smiles. I like clothes, I have a lot of them and above all I like to entertain by cooking generously, at home “.
