“I was completely taken with the cause and the expertise.”

Hervé Milliat has taken the place of honor of 1st franchisee in the history of Swim Stars Swim School! It’s in Nice (06) in the Musiciens district that Swim Stars has been making waves since May 22, 2021 thanks to Hervé, who started the activity on the fly, thanks to his experience as a salesman. But not only! Discover the atypical profile of Hervé.

From Paris to the South of France

Swim Stars : Hello Hervé and thank you for opening the franchisee interviews! Can you tell us who you are, where you come from? What is your background?

Hervé Milliat: With pleasure! I want to say that I am very proud to have launched the #1 franchise in Nice-Musiciens. I was born in Paris and spent about fifty years in the Ile-de-France region, then in 2019 I headed for the south of France driven by a real need for a change of sc enery. I settled in the Var in La Croix Valmer (83). I have a 27-year-old son who is an electrician in Saint-Tropez and who is in the process of setting up his own business, and a 24-year-old son who is a real estate agent in the Ile-de-France.

If we go back in time, I started my career at the age of 18, without a diploma because I don’t even have a high school diploma, as a Multi-brand sales representative (‘travel agent’ who markets the products of several companies – editor’s note) in the office supplies sector on behalf of non-profit associations that are partners of centers for assistance through work (CAT). What I liked about being a salesman was the combination of freedom and diversity – of products, customers and days.

“Since I learned everything on the job, I quickly made up my own rules.”

From 1993 to 2009, I worked my way up in an elevator company until I became Director of the company. In 16 years, we have gone from 4 employees to a hundred.

As I learned everything on the field by being curious, willing and self-taught, I made my own rules. It started with never wearing a suit in my professional activity and only shaving on Monday morning!

Feeling that I had done my time, I resigned in 2009 to create a new job: multiple employer employee! I offered my services to subcontracting companies in elevator assembly. I was helping about 7 companies in their general management as well as being a business contributor.

Since 2020, I keep the management of a single company and at the end of the year the Swim Stars franchise project became concrete. Since April 1, 2021, I have also accepted the position of Associate Sales Director at Antares Ascenseurs Paca in Marseille (13 ).

Self-made and curious

What made you want to join the Swim Stars adventure?

I like to have several professional projects at the same time, to explore different sectors of activity and to organize them in my own way. The Swim Stars adventure is really exciting, it is an activity that makes sense. In addition to satisfying my curiosity and my desire to learn, it touches on the values that I hold dear: interpersonal skills, empathy, societal impact, a studious and relaxed professional atmosphere… I was completely enthralled by the skill and the cause of saving lives and helping children and adults of all ages to simply have more confidence.

What did you like or find interesting about the Swim Stars franchise model?

I immediately found the franchise model to be ideal for this new business. At Swim Stars, the subject is perfectly mastered. In addition to having created an innovative concept that combines usefulness and pleasure for babies, children and adults, the teams are dynamic and in constant search of evolution and improvement. And why Nice? Because I can’t see myself anywhere else but in the south!

Work well done and desire for freedom

Is it incompatible to undertake and keep time for your passions, your family, your loved ones?

It is of course compatible! This requires work and availability of course, but an activity that is well mastered can free up free time for oneself and for one’s loved ones. For me, the winning formula for managing several activities in parallel requires a desire to do so, and then a large personal investment at the beginning to get the machine up and running, to master the subject and to establish a relationship of trust with your collaborators, on whom you can rely. It is essential to be the expert in your field and to know how to be and remain reactive.
This is what has always motivated me; to make sure that I enjoy my work, to do it well and to enjoy the freedom to do it my way . And to travel!

“When I grow up, I’ll be Hervé!” said his friends with an amused tone to greet his rather atypical professional life

After all, we are in a swimming school! What aquatic species would you be?

I think of the dolphin for its sociable and courageous sides if we know that they sometimes fight sharks to save another species. I imagine him with a quiet and nice state of mind but who knows how to adapt and fight when necessary.

A final word?

I would like to thank the entire Swim Stars team for this wonderful opportunity and its daily support and thank all the students who trust us to acquire essential keys for life!

Thanks to you Hervé !

Swim Stars Nice-Musicians: the launch day took place on Saturday, May 22, 2021

For all the information about Swim Stars Nice Musicians swimming lessons, go to the Swim Stars Nice-Musicians page and to discover the other franchisees’ portraits go to the Swim Stars Blog.