For the past few days, Yoän Lefebvre has been roaming the streets of his Coteau-du-Lac neighborhood selling chocolate. His goal? To raise at least $5,000 to help pay for the trip to Italy with his parents, older brother and older sister. Interview with a young entrepreneur with a big heart.

“ At first, I just wanted to make some pocket money, so I started mowing the lawn and doing other small tasks for a fee. Then, after a while, I realized that I didn't want to do that, I just wanted to make money for nothing. When I heard two of my uncles talking about their recent trip to Italy, something clicked. I thought it would be cool to go with my family: my parents, my brother and my sister. But my mother told me it would be too expensive for the five of them. So I decided to do my part and raise at least $5,000 ,” says the big guy of the idea that will take him all the way to Europe.

Why does he need to raise this amount? Because his mother, Éveline, accepted his youngest son's proposal, without quite believing it. With this idea firmly in the saddle, Yoän set about making it a reality. He started mowing lawns in exchange for $20. Then he started selling chocolate door-to-door.

“ We buy them at not too expensive a price and I go around my neighborhood selling them.People are so kind and supportive.I go door-to-door in the evenings after school and on weekends.My mother helps me and drives me around the streets for my sales and to buy chocolate bars. I also sold an Xbox game to make money.Everything I earn goes into a special bank account set up for this project ,” adds the man who sells his products for between $3 and $5.

Community solidarity

To date, the bank account stands at $416 and counting. “ At this rate, and with his motivation, we'll be flying off to Italy next summer (laughs). Seriously, I think it's great to see him get involved in a project like this. He wants the whole family to benefit, and that's a credit to him. I'm not surprised; he and his brother and sister all have big hearts. As parents, we're very proud. I try to support him as best I can ,” says his mother Éveline Vinet.

Yoän's generosity echoed all the way to La Rôtisserie Benny in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, located near Walmart: “ I shared the project on social networks, and the owner of the business contacted me to offer the promotional code ‘Yoãn in Italy’ , which means that every time it's used, 5% of the bill is given back to him. That's so nice of him ,” enthuses the mother.

If Yoän keeps up the momentum, he could well be off to Italy for two or three weeks with his parents, brother and sister in the summer of 2025. In the meantime, the young man is available for tasks such as shoveling snow, babysitting or looking after pets, in exchange for a fee. In the spring, he could even get back into mowing if people are interested.

“ It would be my first international trip and my first flight. I can't wait ,” he concludes.

People who would like to encourage the young man in his project can do so by visiting the Facebook page created by his mother at: https://www.facebook.com/yoanenitalie.He can be contacted via this social network.