80% of businesses in the arts and crafts sector in France are sole proprietorships, which means that artisans often work alone in their workshops. And 80% of them say they struggle to make a living from their craft.
This is the observation that led Aude Augais to get involved with these artists who work in heritage, such as stained glass artists, plasterers, decorative painters, as well as in design and decoration, like cabinetmakers, and in the fashion sector, with all the textile-related professions, embroiderers, and jewelers. These artisans transform materials.
"Solitude brings many challenges,” explains Aude Augais. “And that's why we created Artisans d'avenir as a network, where people can find resources and individuals who will help them thrive in their profession.”
Within the network, the sharing of knowledge and skills is encouraged, through a podcast, expert interventions, peer advice via WhatsApp groups, and specific training addressing the challenges of the arts and crafts sector aimed at accelerating project development.
“A business aspect that is still too rarely addressed in arts and crafts schools and is crucial for success,” emphasizes Aude Augais.
“There are people with extraordinary skills, and what they do goes far beyond what a simple business achieves,” Aude Augais passionately states. “They create wonder around them. They put immense passion into their work, they generate dynamics in their communities, and they encourage more sustainable, local consumption. It is essential that these skills are passed on if we want France to continue to shine. In fact, it is a living heritage that is important to promote, and one of the key elements we provide is empowering them to feel stronger and take action.”
