From the factory to the creation of his restaurant

Halil ADA

Founder of Boss Fort

Turkish speciality restaurant

It would have been impossible to launch my project without France Active. What’s more, the questions raised by Mr. Taleb, my advisor at France Active Bourgogne, made me challenge myself and helped me improve the project.

From the factory to the creation of his restaurant

Mâcon (Saône-et-Loire)

Turkish speciality restaurant

A line operator for the food and pharmaceutical industries, then a milling turner, Mr Ada began his professional life in a factory. He discovered the restaurant business in 2003 and moved back and forth between the two sectors until 2009. “When I worked in the factory, an 8-hour day seemed endless, whereas in the restaurant business, I don’t see the time pass.”

Encouraged by friends and family, he decided to launch his project for a restaurant serving Turkish specialities in Mâcon. His cousin bought a building in the city centre, right on the river Saône, and suggested that he set up the restaurant on the ground floor. The perfect location for Mr Ada, who jumped at the chance.

For financing, his first instinct was to knock on the door of his bank, which turned him down. He then turned to Crédit Agricole, which directed him to France Active. “It would have been impossible to launch my project without France Active. What’s more, the questions raised by Mr. Taleb, my advisor at France Active Bourgogne, made me challenge myself and helped me improve the project”.

Mr Ada benefited from the Inclusion through Self-Employment* scheme, a programme launched by the Ministry of Labour, Full Employment and Integration to which France Active is responding by expanding its support offer. As part of the programme, Mr Ada attended several webinars on subjects such as business management, accounting, communication, etc., in order to fully assume his role as a business leader.

After several months of works, his restaurant is opening at the beginning of October, and he can’t wait to offer his customers his delicious food.

Any advice for a project leader?

You need to be open to suggestions and criticism, both positive and negative.
“For example, my wife suggested that I create a floral wall in the restaurant’s veranda. I was reluctant at first, but I installed one and it is this detail that makes customers stop in front of my restaurant. They all ask me about the opening date. ”

Focus on the Inclusion through Self-Employment programme:

In March 2021, France Active responded to a call for projects launched by the French Ministry of Labour, Employment and Integration. On this occasion, France Active extended its Creation Pact with new support modules for the most fragile entrepreneurs, focussing on 4 themes:

financial education (managing cash flow, managing relations with your banker, management charts and tools, crowdfunding and financial analysis and management),
protection and security (risk prevention, social and legal protection, civil liability, cyber risks)
digital awareness (for prospecting, brand awareness, etc.),
awareness of commitment.

And for young people aged 18 to 30, a bonus of €3,000.

Has benefited