Thalia Éco Inc. lights the way!

We are delighted to introduce you to an entrepreneur who we are convinced will stand out for her innovative products and especially her determination and willingness to keep learning. This young woman loves everything to do with project management.

CEO Thalia Bastien started Thalia Éco Inc. in summer 2021, wanting to offer homeowners a new option for outdoor lighting. The idea of a solar outdoor lamp came to her when looking at a little garden lamp. With an interest in everything lighting and ambience-related, she wasn’t too enamoured with the range of outdoor solar-powered lamps available. She found the models too old or lacking a modern touch, and, most importantly, not efficient and durable enough.

Valuable dual support from the CAE

As a young entrepreneur, Thalia was able to obtain a loan from the Youth Strategy Program. This loan allowed her to get her project up and running. She says the fact that the CAE believed in her project first encouraged other investors to believe in it as well.

«Without the CAE’s support, I could never have gotten this project off the ground. Thank you for believing in me,» she says.

Thalia also received a non-repayable financial contribution for technical assistance under the Virage Vert program. “This helped me work towards my preferred design and keep the green and eco-friendly aspect that I wanted for my product. More importantly, it allowed me to have a prototype to show people,” explains Thalia. To do this, she partnered with the firm Punctuate Design to eco-design her product. In addition to wanting a modern design model, she sought to do it in an eco-friendly way. She was really pleased with their proposal, the collaborative process and the final product.

She loves her new role as an entrepreneur, though it’s not always easy. She made sure she partnered with key personnel for the design. There are many unknown variables, budgeting is not easy, and understanding the various legal aspects can be difficult. This is why she believes in being well supported and, above all, loving what you do.

Exciting times ahead

Production started in April 2023, with sales to begin in the summer. Looking longer term, she won’t say no to new projects. The commercial avenue of providing street lighting for small towns could be an option. Who knows? Only time will tell.

Great recognition

On April 4, 2023, as part of Rivière-du-Nord’s local OSEntreprendre Challenge, Thalia was named a winner in the Operation, Processing and Production category of the Business Creation section. As a result, she entered the regional level of the Challenge. The CAE was immensely proud of this announcement and the visibility that this recognition will give her. The OSEntreprendre Challenge is a major Quebec movement that promotes entrepreneurial initiatives and provides great visibility to the many people who enter, as well as the opportunity to win various cash prizes at the local, regional or national level.

We wish her every success with this wonderful project and all the perseverance required.

Check out Thalia Éco Inc.’s LinkedIn page and keep an eye out for her website, going up in June 2023.