Anne Fuzeau Productions

French entrepreneur Anne Fuzeau is singing a new tune after using the Network to source stock for her musical gifts business.

Anne Fuzeau Productions is a French start-up that publishes classical music scores. Anne Fuzeau founded the firm after learning the business for 20 years at her parents’ music publishing house. Ready to carve out a new niche and eventually expand abroad, the entrepreneur decided to introduce a range of music-themed gift items, from office supplies to jewellery.

But pursuing this new activity meant a potentially difficult search for suppliers. At the suggestion of a local business group, Fuzeau contacted Maria Voronetskaja at the Enterprise Europe Network in southwestern France for assistance.

Voronetskaja immediately got in touch with Network colleagues across Europe. “With our team of experts who know and trust one another, a single phone call or email can get the ball rolling,” says Voronetskaja, European information officer with the Chamber of Commerce of Poiteau-Charentes. “The Network is a formidable resource for businesses eager to break into new markets through our contacts on the ground and knowledge of local markets.”

The Chamber is among 581 Network organisations in 47 countries helping small businesses grow internationally. Upon receiving the request from France, Monika Matyastikova, Network business advice expert at the London Chamber of Commerce, produced a list of 10 UK specialty manufacturers.

Soon after, Anne Fuzeau asked to be put in touch with one of the companies, a Dorset-based firm whose selection of music-themed novelty gifts spans china mugs, miniature instruments, stationery and jewellery. From the Network in London, Matyastikova forwarded the details of The Music Gifts Co, along with guidance on what a potential agreement should contain.

The companies took it from there, and Anne Fuzeau placed an order.

David Gee, the British gifts company owner, was delighted to get new business from an unexpected source. “I had not heard of the Network before, but I hope they can help me find more valuable contacts,” he says. Similarly, the Network continues to help Fuzeau scout out further business prospects.

For more information please contact Enterprise Europe Network London at 020 7940 1512 / innovation@gle.co.uk