| Phase | Period | Focus | Revenue Target |
|---|
| 0: Training | Months 1-9 | Obtain certifications, prepare the business | €0 |
| 1: Launch & Validation | Months 10-14 | First clients, test hypotheses | €30,000 |
| 2: Optimization & Growth | Months 15-24 | Refine the model, build partnerships | €90,000 |
| 3: Scaling | Year 2-3 | Hire, expand services, recurring revenue | €200,000-300,000 |
- Obtain the TP Électricien (AFPA Antibes)
- Finalize the business plan
- Establish initial partnerships (architects, interior designers)
- Build the website and content pipeline
- Secure funding (prêt d’honneur, ADIE)
| Month | Milestone | Go/No-Go |
|---|
| 1 | Enrolled at AFPA, family settled in Nice | ✅ or defer one session |
| 3 | Mid-term assessment passed | If failed: reassess approach |
| 5 | Internship secured with local electrician | Network building begins |
| 7 | Internship completed, job site photo portfolio | Field experience acquired |
| 9 | TP obtained | 🔑 Critical gate. No TP = no business |
- Obtain IRVE + KNX certifications
- Register the business (auto-entrepreneur)
- Complete the first 5 installations
- Validate value and growth hypotheses
- Build a portfolio and collect reviews
| Month | Milestone | Target |
|---|
| 10 | IRVE P1+P2 certified | Ready to install legally |
| 11 | KNX Partner certified, business registered | Ready to launch |
| 12 | First paying client | Revenue begins |
| 13 | 3 installations completed, 3 Google reviews | Portfolio exists |
| 14 | 5 installations completed | 🔑 Decision Gate 1 |
| Metric | Persevere if | Pivot if |
|---|
| Projects completed | ≥5 | <3 |
| Integrated upsell rate | ≥30% (1-2 out of 5) | 0% |
| Average project value | ≥€4,000 | <€2,500 |
| Client NPS | ≥8/10 average | <6/10 |
| At least 1 referral received | Yes | No referrals |
If pivot: Consider focusing on IRVE only (drop KNX), switching to condominiums (volume), or taking a job while running the business part-time.
- Reach 2-3 projects/month
- Establish 5+ architect/designer partnerships
- Launch maintenance service
- Build the content marketing engine
- Reach breakeven on personal salary
| Month | Milestone | Target |
|---|
| 15 | First architect referral converted | Partnership model validated |
| 16 | 10 total installations | Solid portfolio |
| 17 | First maintenance contract signed | Recurring revenue begins |
| 18 | Google Ads launched (if organic has proven itself) | Paid acquisition added |
| 20 | Breakeven reached | 🔑 Business self-sustaining |
| 22 | 20 total installations, 10+ reviews | Market presence established |
| 24 | Decision Gate 2 | 🔑 Growth or plateau? |
| Metric | Scale if | Stay small if |
|---|
| Monthly revenue | ≥€10,000 for 3 months | €5,000-8,000 (viable but no growth) |
| Order backlog | >4 weeks | <2 weeks |
| Maintenance contracts | ≥8 active | <3 |
| Referral rate | ≥25% of new clients | <10% |
| Architect partnerships | ≥3 active generating leads | 0-1 |
If scale: Hire an apprentice, switch to EURL, ramp up marketing.
If stay small: Continue solo, focus on high-value projects, optimize margin.
- Hire first employee (apprentice)
- Switch from auto-entrepreneur to EURL
- Launch seasonal monitoring service
- Reach €200,000+ annual revenue
- Build brand awareness on the French Riviera
| Quarter | Milestone |
|---|
| Q1 | Apprentice hired, EURL registered |
| Q2 | 30 total installations, team handles IRVE autonomously |
| Q3 | Seasonal monitoring launched (summer client prep) |
| Q4 | First real estate developer contract |
| Quarter | Milestone |
|---|
| Q1 | Second installer (subcontractor or permanent hire) |
| Q2 | 50+ total installations |
| Q3 | Maintenance revenue >10% of total |
| Q4 | €300,000 annual revenue, 3.5 FTE team |
If things don’t go as planned, we have clear alternative paths:
Trigger: KNX upsell rate <10% after 10 installations
Action: Drop smart home, become the best IRVE installer in the 06 department
Pros: Simplified operations, faster installations, lower certification costs
Cons: Lower average project value, more competitors
Trigger: Luxury villa market too slow or too seasonal
Action: Target collective parking IRVE installations (larger projects, higher ADVENIR subsidies)
Pros: Higher project values (€20,000-50,000 per building), fewer but larger clients
Cons: Longer sales cycles, general assembly voting delays, different skill set
Trigger: Revenue <€4,000/month after 12 months of operation
Action: Get hired as an electrician, run the business evenings/weekends
Pros: Guaranteed salary, continued learning, business grows slowly but surely
Cons: Slower growth, divided attention
Trigger: French Riviera saturated or too seasonal
Action: Add Provence (Aix, Marseille) or Monaco
Pros: Larger market, less seasonality
Cons: Travel time, different market dynamics
| Date | Event |
|---|
| Month 1 | Arrive in Nice, settle the family, enroll at AFPA |
| Month 9 | TP Électricien obtained |
| Month 11 | IRVE + KNX certified, business registered |
| Month 12 | First client, first revenue |
| Month 14 | Decision Gate 1 (5 installations) |
| Month 20 | Breakeven reached |
| Month 24 | Decision Gate 2 (growth or plateau) |
| Month 30 | First employee hired |
| Month 36 | €300,000 revenue, 3.5 FTE team |