Interview with the Founder

Making a difference, having an impact - this is the mission that guides founder Emmanuel.  Having fallen into entrepreneurship like “Obelix into his cauldron”, Emmanuel tells us about his yearning to contribute to a meaningful project. His close ties with his parents, his decisive meeting with Steve Jobs and all the other key people he has crossed paths with have nourished and inspired him to give birth to JUNNITI.

The story of a rich and formative career... inspiring you to embark on the great adventure of entrepreneurship! 

Press the PLAY button to listen to this article (in French)

How did your career begin?

At the age of 20, I grasped the importance of having a versatile career to ensure my success, or at least avoid finding myself in a precarious situation. Having grown up mainly in the United States, where the Social Security safety net is less present, I knew it was crucial to be able to bounce back if needed. However, I wanted my professional choices to be aligned with my values: to have a certain freedom of action and to work in fields I'm passionate about. My journey began in the technology field, where I observed a recurring cycle of approximately seven years, oscillating between expertise and generalist. This strongly influenced my decisions. 

Today, thanks to this awareness, I can say that I have had a 360° career path: technology, business, product management, customer experience, and many others.

What has most influenced your desire to be an entrepreneur?

I got into entrepreneurship a bit by accident, almost like Obelix falling into his cauldron, by clumsiness! And even though my first startup didn't last long (less than 2 years), it gave me a taste for entrepreneurship. From my 2nd startup and up until now, I've realized that I needed a partner by my side to evolve.

It's the encounters that have undeniably shaped my journey. The people I've been lucky enough to meet in different contexts: cafes, trade shows, museums, on the street... have influenced me the most. My parents have also been an inexhaustible source of inspiration over the years.

And then a wonderful encounter also had a strong impact: that with Steve Jobs, whom I had the chance to meet in 2008. He had these words that still resonate in my entrepreneurial approach today: "Building something extremely simple for the user is particularly complex on the company side, but it's really worth it."

Why JUNNITI?

I think the creation of JUNNITI was deeply influenced by my desire to build something that could help as many people as possible, as a tribute to my parents but also to make them proud.

What advice would you give to entrepreneurs?

Even though I didn't always have the support of my parents (especially at the beginning), that didn't stop me from moving forward. The key is perseverance. Making choices that bring happiness has always been my priority. So I've always made the tough choice to opt for jobs offering more freedom, even if it meant earning less money. Today, I'm serene and happy.

My advice to anyone considering entrepreneurship is to make the less easy choices... but the ones that make you happy.

Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you, listen to your instincts and go for it. Don't pay attention to negative opinions, because no one really knows your background, your aspirations and your needs. And above all, don't put off your projects, start now... yesterday! Finally, don't forget to spend time helping others whenever you can.

All the best!