“Keven Dufour: From Restoring Suitcases to Living His Dream as an Entrepreneur”

SAINT-BRUNO – Entrepreneurship had been in Keven Dufour’s sights for more than fifteen years. However, it was by restoring an old suitcase, after the birth of his son, that he really found his calling. For four years, he has been living his dream with Souvenirs du hangar, a small business specializing in the design of personalized suitcases and souvenir boxes.

Having studied computer graphics design, Mr. Dufour discovered that wood engraving allowed him to reproduce exactly what he created on his software. “I fell in love with this art. The possibilities are endless. […] I had no experience in cabinetmaking when I started. I learned on the job. I also did the Business Launch course with Forgescom,” he explains.

Keven Dufour has mainly relied on social networks, including local shopping pages, to make himself known. Very active on his Facebook page, he talks about his life and his experience as an entrepreneur with authenticity. This strategy has proven successful. “I think people like this proximity to the craftsman. I put forward who I am, my values. Customers don’t just see the product, but also the craftsman who makes it and I think they appreciate it,” he said.

With the pandemic, consumers turned to buying local and that’s where the business took off. Four years after its launch, Souvenirs du Hangar allows its owner to earn a living. The enthusiasm for its products is felt. “Little by little, people think of me more and more when there is a reference to give for souvenir boxes. I would really like to become a must in this field,” he says.

Refocus

Initially, Mr. Dufour had launched a dozen products. A month ago, he made the decision to refocus his selection on those that are the most popular: souvenir suitcases and personalized tooth boxes. “With the growth, I had less and less time to do the other products. So I really wanted to specify my service offer.”

If the basic idea was to make suitcases from birth, Souvenirs du hangar now sells suitcases and boxes for different occasions. “Over time, I’ve had a request for various keepsakes. I now make wedding, anniversary or memorial suitcases for a deceased person or a pet. it is possible to do so”, emphasizes Keven Dufour.

He also carries out projects for companies. For example, he can make boxes to underline a retirement or the recognition of years of service. Through its transactional website, it delivers everywhere in Quebec. “I have customers in different places in the province. I only have about 5% of my customers who come from the region!”

rewarding profession

From his life as an entrepreneur, what Keven Dufour really likes is being able to do things his own way and being more present for his family. He also finds his job rewarding. “It also gives me a lot of confidence in myself, because I see that people like what I do. I am authentic with people and they return it to me. They are comfortable talking to me and sometimes tell what they are going through and how they feel. This close relationship with people really brings me a lot,” he says.

Living with an anxiety disorder, Mr. Dufour believes that being his own boss makes him feel a lot lighter, despite the pitfalls inherent in entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurship is stressful, you can’t hide it. I’m going to experience anxiety in this context of life, but I love my job too much to do anything else! I prefer to live with and learn to control my anxiety daily so that I can continue to live my dream”, he wrote recently on his Facebook page.