Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey at Paris School of Business?
My name is Halim, and I am currently studying at Paris School of Business. My journey is still in progress, but it’s already marked by several projects, the most significant being the creation of Mermeida. Paris School of Business has provided an environment that encourages experimentation, taking initiative, and meeting people from diverse backgrounds. It’s a school that supported me in launching my project while continuing my education.
How has Paris School of Business helped you in your entrepreneurial path?
The entrepreneurial track at Paris School of Business has helped me structure my ideas and build confidence. The guidance of Jean-Michel Ly was especially impactful, his concrete, kind yet demanding advice pushed me to take action. Thanks to this support, I was able to lay the solid foundations for Mermeida while continuing my studies.
What motivated you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
I’ve always been drawn to the freedom to create, to innovate, and to solve real problems. Creating Mermeida was about responding to a need I saw around me: many entrepreneurs lacked a reliable, responsive, and accessible digital partner.
How did the idea for Mermeida come about?
The idea came to me when I realized that digital services were often too complex, expensive, or poorly suited to small businesses. I wanted to create a simple and effective alternative: Mermeida, a platform where companies can order all their digital services in just a few clicks.
What services does Mermeida offer?
Mermeida is a next-generation digital agency, designed like a digital supermarket. We offer à la carte services: website or e-commerce creation, app development, visual identity, content creation, SEO, digital strategy, maintenance, online reputation management, and more. The goal is to make all of this simple, clear, fast, and transparent.
What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
The biggest challenge is building trust. As a young entrepreneur, you often have to prove your credibility twice as much. I learned to better structure my offers, reassure my clients, and test different acquisition channels until I found the ones that worked. Having the right support network and knowing how to delegate are also essential.
How do you balance your studies with running your business?
It’s not easy, but it’s possible with a lot of organization and passion. I plan my schedule carefully, prioritize high-impact tasks, and take advantage of slower periods to move forward with Mermeida. There are many synergies between my studies and my business: what I learn in class helps me improve the agency, and the business experience reinforces what I learn in school.
What are your medium and long-term goals for Mermeida?
In the medium term, I’m aiming for around ten recurring clients per month to stabilize our growth. In the long term, I want to position Mermeida as a key player in the digital space in both Europe and French-speaking Africa. We also hope to develop our own platforms and maybe even create a digital school or incubator in the future.
What advice would you give to students who want to start their own business?
Start. Even small, even imperfect. Taking action will teach you far more than theory. Surround yourself with the right people, stay curious, ask questions. Don’t aim for perfection, aim for impact. And above all: hold on to your vision, but stay flexible on the path to get there.
