Marion Woirhaye at the young entrepreneurs’ G20

The Director of the Wikicampers platform for the hire of campervans and converted vans between private individuals took part in the young entrepreneurs’ G20 in Paris at the end of October. 

How did you come to be invited to this G20 for young entrepreneurs?

I filled in an application form based on several criteria that I met, such as age, a minimum turnover of one million euros, a desire to develop internationally, and the motivation to get involved in proposals to the Government. There were 35 of us young French entrepreneurs, including three from Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Each country in the G20 organises its own G20 for young entrepreneurs according to the same principle of making recommendations. The young entrepreneurs’ G20 brings together a total of 300 people in the 20 delegations.

Did you meet the young entrepreneurs from the other countries?

Because of Covid the context was very unusual. Saudi Arabia should have been the host country for all the delegations but each group stayed in its own country and we communicated by video conference.

What did you learn from those two days of discussion? 

I found it very valuable to meet entrepreneurs of every profile and every type and sector of business. In our local area here, I am developing two principal networks: the Enterprise and Young Directors (CJD in its French acronym) network whose values and way of looking of things I share. When I met the young entrepreneurs at their G20, I realised that my viewpoint was not necessarily shared by everyone, especially in matters of CSR and gender equality, important matters of debate. Here we have a sense of sharing in business, which is not always the case elsewhere. 

How will the young entrepreneurs’ G20 be followed up?

Discussions are ongoing in terms of sharing experience with other delegations. Saudi Arabia is seeking young entrepreneurs, in particular to lead a development policy as part of its ‘2030 action plan’. The recommendations made will be passed on to the governments. 

How has Wikicampers been affected by this strange year of lockdowns and restrictions on movement?

The season started up again very strongly on 11 May. Holidays in converted vans and campervans are ideal in this context because it’s the perfect way to travel, get close to nature and remain within your own family. We had a really excellent season.

What international objectives of Wikicampers were mentioned in your application to the young entrepreneurs’ G20?

Opening the service up from Spain from early 2021.

And the other objectives of Wikicampers?

Continuing to develop services to complement the rental services, for example our GPS positioning service and our caretaker service that lets owners entrust the management of checking their vehicle to a third party. We also have an online shop where we market products that are eco-designed, eco-responsible and made in France.

Website: https://www.wikicampers.fr