Winner of the French Tech Tremplin program, spotted by Business France, Zohal is a new designer home decoration brand that intends to rely on artisanal know-how to promote a supportive approach., virtuous and ambitious e-commerce. Continuing its deployment in 2022, in order to structure ourselves and produce more, the Reunion start-up is looking for private investors.
Welcomed to the Village by CA in Reunion, Zohal intends to become an impact company, that is to say whose objectives are both economic, social and environmental. “These are my principles, my values that I put into practice. By creating Zohal, I want to be a responsible company that questions its impact on the local economy and the planet. I have already been able to take on two apprentices with state assistance. I would like to recruit locally and give priority to artisans from Reunion and the Indian Ocean.. » But Zohal’s ambition is also to look without delay beyond the borders of Reunion Island, to be ready to seize all opportunities now wherever they come from. Among other stages of a rich professional journey, Catherine Class, knows founder, was, before settling on the island in 2019, director of communications and member of the Paris management committee&Co, the Paris economic development and innovation agency. She brought an international vision of innovation and development with her. Zohal is a contraction of the first names of Catherine Class's two daughters, Zoe and Lila. “This name, and the project logo, embody my choices, they must be understood everywhere. The Reunion market being limited, I have to think international from the start and, in my vision of the development of Zohal, plan straight away at five, even ten years. »
La Redoute as a model of inspiration
EatWood, Vencatachellum, Gipsy Creation… Catherine Class found enthusiastic partners among the new generation of Reunion craftsmen with an entrepreneurial vision of their profession. Zohal gives, thanks to the digital channel, new visibility for Reunion artisans. On the one hand, the brand calls on them to manufacture its first collections of design objects, signed by Fanny Robert, artistic director. On the other hand, it offers Reunion crafts a unique marketing solution., a controlled e-commerce strategy exploiting social networks, with possibly, eventually (reflection is underway) an extension into physical retail. As a source of inspiration, Catherine Class cites the La Redoute model which, alongside its own collections, sells other brands. The difference between Zohal is also due to the desire to promote a “tropical design that meets climatic requirements., made with materials adapted to the local climate ». Hence the interest that the project arouses in the artisanal sector. A tour of the website www.zohal.re shows the range of possibilities… Jewelry, clothes, sacs, various fashion accessories, lighting and suspensions, veil, deli, etc. : the marketplace could quickly enrich its offer, and the brand itself extend to other products, as long as they respect its values. Online for a year and a half, Zohal initially aimed at an individual clientele. The site has its loyal followers and Catherine Class announces an average basket of 65 euros per customer. But “restaurants and hotels contacted me” explains Catherine Class, and this request which was not expected so quickly, develops the project. If Zohal wants to gain momentum today, it is also to be able to respond to this BtoB request.
Fundraising and network
“With this fundraising, I give myself the means to achieve my ambitions by calling on private capital investors and partners. The Exa firm which supports me on this aspect, helps me seek complementarities with companies sharing the same values. I seek to build a network of actors who can resonate through synergies and collaborations. » In this year 2022, the start-up sees new prospects materializing. First there is this BtoB offer intended for CHR which will start with tableware. There is then a first international step thanks to Business France. Zohal collections will test the Japanese market through a new digital platform created by global transport and logistics giant Yamato, looking for innovative French brands to offer to Japanese consumers. In this context, one of the equations to be solved by Catherine Class is to produce more. Reunion cabinetmaking encountered the obstacle of production capacity, 20 years ago, by being unable to fulfill a large order from a Parisian department store. It is this pitfall that the start-up overcomes by strengthening itself financially and targeting the network. Several solutions are already being studied – including its own production workshop – in compliance with the credo set at Zohal by Catherine Class : entrepreneurship, local dynamics, job creation and quality of life at work.
