Anne Bessonneau, entrepreneur

“University, a springboard to working life.”

In 2019, after a degree in Business and administration management (GEA) at the UPPA, a business school, and an initial experience in a cosmetics start-up, Anne Bessonneau took over the reins of a small business in Florida. A spa, open 24/7, with 15 employees, sold at the end of 2022. 

What made you sign up for the GEA degree in Bayonne?

In upper sixth after a Baccalaureate (A-levels) in science, I was very indecisive about the direction I wanted to take. I was tempted by several professions. I chose the GEA course because it was general, with subjects – accounting, marketing, tax law, management – that would always come in handy. I'm originally from Oloron Sainte-Marie so I chose Bayonne because I love the coast and because several of us from the same college were going there. Another important aspect: with this DUT, both short and long studies were possible. So that left me lots of open doors. 

How did those two years on the UPPA campus in Bayonne go? 

I very quickly felt at home! I discovered a human-sized campus with many courses in small groups, dynamic associations, and very attentive lecturers who immediately helped us get down to business. An effective way of preparing for the working world! This course boosted my self-confidence and encouraged me to continue my studies. At the end of the degree and after an internship in a bank, I realised I needed to improve my level of English. The UPPA’s offer included a DUEITI (University degree for international technological studies) in Ireland or Scotland. A kind of Erasmus for DUT that enables you to obtain a Bachelor’s in a partner university. My dossier was selected, and I went to study in Cork for a year, which was my third and decisive year. As well as perfecting my English, I also prepared the entrance exams for business school. The following year, I was enrolled in M1 at KEDGE Marseille. 

When did you start thinking about creating your own business? 

It took several work experiences for the idea to take root and for me to feel capable of taking the leap. The path I took helped me grow. In GEA, I really enjoyed subjects such as marketing, management, human resources, etc. In fact, everything that’s useful for creating a company. I then whittled down the sectors of activity I was potentially interested in. In the end, cosmetics won out, and I confirmed this with an internship followed by a fixed-term contract with Pierre Fabre in Toulouse. I then held a very versatile job in a start-up in Paris that designed products for spas. After a few months, I started thinking “Why don’t I try?”. A friend, also originally from southwest France, convinced me to have a go at the “American dream”. We conducted a survey of the spa market in the USA and got in touch with a settlement agency. Three months later we were in Florida, visiting businesses looking for new management. And we came across a spa in Saint Petersburg next to Tampa[EH1] , Florida, that really appealed to us. A small business with 15 employees, where I applied all the competencies acquired during my studies, simply adapting them to American codes. 

What words do you spontaneously associate with the UPPA? 

Kindliness, happiness, and motivation.

What message do you have for a young person thinking of joining one of the UPPA’s courses?

I’d tell them not to panic; the choice of a course is never definitive. And even if they change courses, everything they have learned will come in useful one day. I would also advise them to listen to their gut instinct and not be influenced by other people’s opinions. Those who tell you that a particular subject is useless, those who aren’t motivated by anything, those who think there are no opportunities for international profiles in southwest France.