Charline Leroi: “I collect entrepreneurs”

“I always wanted to be my own boss. But for me, that didn’t automatically mean I would be at the helm of Autoglass Clinic. Besides, Dad never really pushed me in that direction. Or at least not explicitly. And I never sat in a classroom with that idea in mind,” says Charline Leroi.

“Not even when I started at Vlerick Business School after my Applied Economics degree. Yet that’s how it turned out. When I graduated in 2007, the intention was for me to first gain experience as an IT consultant. Analyzing business processes, learning about structures… But that wasn’t really what I expected. Meanwhile, Dad was looking for an external CEO for Autoglass Clinic. He wanted to let go of the purely operational side and focus on other things.”

Letting go of everything

“One evening, he left that job vacancy lying around on the kitchen table. With the silent message—Dad isn’t really a man of many words—it’s now or never.”

“Then we sat down together. I decided I wanted to do it, but not alone. Because I knew Dad would let go of everything. He isn’t the kind of mentor who would guide me through every step. I would have to find my own way. And I couldn’t do that alone. I couldn’t handle everything both operationally and commercially. So a commercial profile had to be added.”

“I feel more at home on the operational side. I’m not a smooth talker. I’m far too direct for that; I always want to get straight to the point. An approach that works well at a negotiating table—an important part of my job. Because Autoglass Clinic as a company relies on other entrepreneurs: we work with a network of independent repair points. So you could see me as a collector of like-minded entrepreneurs. I try to convince others to join us.”

Naivety as a weapon

“Entrepreneurship, to me, is a lot of fending for yourself,” says Charline Leroi. “I had the luxury that Dad was always watching over my shoulder. I used to think differently about that, but now I’m grateful he stayed in the background. Because that’s how you learn, of course: by occasionally hitting your head against a brick wall.”

“For me, entrepreneurship is also about doing a lot and not over-analyzing everything. Of course, you have to plan and prepare well, but there is also a time for action. If you just keep thinking, nothing ever happens. That’s why I don’t necessarily see my naivety as a weakness, but also as a weapon. It enables me to spring into action. Unlike many others who just keep tinkering with the preparatory details.”

“There is, of course, also the responsibility you carry as a manager. But to be honest: I don’t want to think about that for too long either. If you dwell on it every time, it feels stifling. You have to be able to keep things in perspective. I do my best and that’s it. Although I was lucky, of course, to take over a well-running company in 2013. So far, we have been spared from difficult times.”

Lonely

“There is one thing I underestimated,” Charline Leroi confesses. “As a manager, it can be lonely at times. You can surround yourself with the best team, you can brainstorm your ideas with others as much as you want or have various sounding boards: I and I alone am ultimately responsible. When there are problems, they look to me. If something needs to be finished urgently, I’ll be here until midnight. But I still sleep just fine (laughs). Only when I have to fire someone do I lose sleep.”

“Though I don’t want to sound negative. Entrepreneurship is the most beautiful thing there is. Especially when you’re on the side of Autoglass Clinic—we can only grow. So I have absolutely no problem with our role as the underdog. On the contrary. Together with my team, I try to show that as a small player, you can still make a difference. For me personally, it has almost become an idealistic fight, regardless of our specific service. The battle between the small challenger and the large established name…”

Quick questions for Charline Leroi

As an entrepreneur, I look up to…
“My dad. He has achieved an incredible amount.”

If there were twenty-five hours in a day, then…
“I would spend that extra hour playing with my daughter. My dad was rarely home, so I am very conscious of the work-life balance. I notice that this balance is important to my generation.”

When stress hits, then…
“I perform better. I am an absolute deadline worker.”

If I had an unlimited marketing budget, then…
“I think a small budget doesn’t necessarily have to be a disadvantage. It forces you to be more creative. To get off the beaten track, look for fresh ideas, and come up with guerrilla tactics.”

If I could reverse one professional decision, then…
“No idea. I’m not built that way: I prefer to look forward.”