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Running a business on the Côte d’Azur is easier when you know who to call.
Each listing below includes a short introduction and a way to contact them directly.
DISCOVER OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS
Zoe Filippi
Founder, Business & Sales Strategist
Zoe works with established service businesses and international entrepreneurs who want clearer direction, stronger commercial foundations, and more sustainable growth.
Her work focuses on business and sales strategy — helping founders review how their business is structured, identify what’s holding growth back, and make practical decisions that improve focus, sales consistency, and long-term viability.
Originally arriving on the Riviera in 1999, Zoe has since built and run multiple businesses alongside managing a long-term property portfolio in the South of France. This background gives her a grounded, commercial perspective on growth, risk, and decision-making.
She founded Riviera Entrepreneurs to create a trusted space for English-speaking business owners in France to connect, share experience, and develop their businesses through meaningful relationships rather than transactional networking.
Alongside leading the community, Zoe brings strategic insight into selected sessions and discussions, drawing on over 20 years of business experience.
Areas of expertise : Business & sales strategy, commercial decision-making and growth planning.
Email Zoe
Carl Thomson
Photographer
Carl is an experienced portrait and event photographer who knows how to capture people at their best.
Whether you need professional headshots, branding images, or event photography, Carl’s work is natural, polished, and reliable — exactly what you’d expect from someone trusted by local entrepreneurs and international clients alike.
Email Carl
Business Admin Assistance
French business admin can be a challenge, but you don’t have to face it alone.
Whether you’re registering a new company, changing your business status, or moving from micro-entreprise to VAT registration, our trusted network of specialists can help you through the paperwork with clarity and efficiency. Request a quote and we’ll connect you with the right professional for your needs.
Email us
Wendy Alessi – Kakatu Creative
Website Design | Website Re-design | Website Maintenance
With over 15 years of international experience in website design, Wendy from Kākatu Creative specialises in creating beautiful, functional WordPress websites that help businesses stand out online.
Before settling in her happy place in France, Wendy grew up in New Zealand and has also lived in the UK and Canada. Her international experience has given her the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects and collaborate with clients from all over the world.
Wendy brings a wealth of creative insight and technical expertise to every project – crafting websites that not only look great, but truly work for each business.
Whether you are looking for a brand new website, a redesign, or ongoing maintenance and support, Wendy prides herself on offering friendly, reliable service with a strong focus on collaboration and trust.
Email Wendy
Leyla Zikmund – Compte Plus
Growth-Stage VAT & Micro-Entreprise Specialist | Business Admin & Bookkeeping Support
Leyla of Compte Plus helps English-speaking business owners in France plan for growth — especially when VAT and the limits of the micro-entreprise regime start becoming real. With nearly 15 years of accounting experience and a French DCG qualification in accounting and management, she combines technical expertise with a calm, practical style that makes complex topics feel clear and doable.
Leyla specialises in VAT: understanding when it applies, getting registered correctly, choosing the right regime, and filing declarations with confidence. She also supports business owners with micro-entreprise setup and changes, and acts as a trusted bridge between entrepreneurs and their expert-comptable — helping organise paperwork, match documents, invoice, chase payments, and keep the admin under control as the business grows.
If you’re approaching the VAT threshold, thinking about switching regime, or simply want to stop guessing and start planning properly, Leyla brings clarity, structure and a genuinely supportive approach. She works in English and French (and also speaks Czech and Russian).
Wendy Alessi – Kakatu Creative
Full Service Graphic Design | Logo & Branding Design
Wendy of Kākatu Creative is dedicated to crafting cohesive, eye-catching visuals that help businesses express who they are and connect with their audience. Drawing on more than 15 years of global experience in brand and graphic design, she brings expertise across logos, brand identities, marketing collateral, and digital design — blending creativity with strategic thinking to deliver designs that truly resonate.
Every project Wendy takes on benefits from her deep design knowledge and creative intuition. She develops visuals that are not only beautiful, but also align seamlessly with each client’s purpose and personality. Whether you’re launching a new venture, revitalising your brand, or elevating your marketing materials, Wendy provides a collaborative, dependable partnership built on trust and creativity.
Email Wendy
Ivana Nady — Reels Content Creator & Editor
I work with small business owners, service providers, and entrepreneurs who are tired of staring at their phone thinking “what on earth do I post?”
I take care of everything, scripting, storyboarding, filming, editing. You show up, I handle the rest. No guesswork, no wasted Sunday afternoons, no reels sitting in your drafts for three weeks.
I have been exactly where you are. When I launched my very first business on the French Riviera, showing up on social media wasn’t optional, it was part of my business strategy. I was camera shy, barely had a personal account, and honestly I was convinced the entire internet would laugh at me. Turns out, nobody was even watching. That stung a little, and then it freed me completely. What started as a dreaded chore slowly became something I genuinely looked forward to. And then something I loved. Reels became my way of saying “okay world, I’m ready.”
That journey is exactly why I do this now. I know what it feels like to be invisible online and not know where to start, and I also know how it is to be on the other side too.
So if you’re done being invisible, let’s fix that.
BECOME A PARTNER
We’re often asked, “Do you know someone who can help with…?”
That’s why we created the Riviera Entrepreneurs Partner Circle — a small group of trusted professionals who share our values and support our members through great service, collaboration, and professionalism.
Why Become a Partner:
- Be part of a supportive team that values sincerity and results over hype.
- Gain visibility with an active network of English-speaking entrepreneurs on the Riviera.
- Receive qualified enquiries directly via your contact link.
- Enjoy a complimentary Riviera Connect membership (€13.50/month value).
- Build relationships and referrals through our inner partner circle.
We’re looking for partners who:
- Deliver excellent service with fairness and professionalism.
- Value connection, sincerity, and genuine collaboration.
- Want to make a difference for small business owners on the Riviera.
How it works:
In return for the benefits above, you’ll be invited to contribute something to the association — in the way that fits you best.
That could mean:
- Your time – helping with events or the organisation of the association.
- Your skills – offering photography, content creation, admin, tech, or marketing support.
- Commission – for services where direct collaboration isn’t possible (for example, insurance, accounting, or other professional services).
Interested? We’d love to hear from you.
Disclaimer
A quick note:
We’ve had great experiences with all our partners, and we only feature people we genuinely trust.
That said, every business is different — so while we’re confident in our recommendations, we can’t make promises on every outcome.
If you do work with one of our partners, we’d love your feedback. It helps us keep recommendations honest, current, and useful.