Context and challenge
Québec entrepreneur and CEO of DashThis, Antoine Paré, knew a crucial milestone was coming: the sale of his company.
And the potential buyers would most likely be English-speaking.
“I wanted to prepare myself to speak better English during the transaction, or at least during the marketing phase of the company. And if I sold to people who would work in English, I had to be able to work in English too.”
Despite more than eight years as a partner in a company operating in over 50 countries, Antoine still felt a block — a tendency to procrastinate or avoid business discussions in English, especially when leadership or spontaneity were required.
“I didn’t always have the courage to take the lead in those discussions with the same ease I have in French. And as a partner in an international company, that was a real obstacle.”
Enter Ellipse
Meeting Isabelle Méthot was a turning point. The Ellipse Mastermind program, which combines active English practice with peer discussions in real business contexts, seemed like the perfect fit.
“When she told me, ‘I have a program that’s exactly right for your situation,’ I didn’t hesitate. I jumped right in.”
A method focused on practice and relevance
According to Antoine, the difference came from the frequency, the quality of discussions, and the relevance of the topics — they weren’t talking about small talk or generic subjects, but real business.
Each week, he exchanged in English with other francophone professionals facing similar challenges, around real professional situations.
“You’re not just practicing English. You’re learning how to talk business in English. That’s what changed everything.”
The Mastermind formula reminded him of other professional networks, such as TEC Canada. It allowed him to:
- Work through concrete business issues
- Be challenged by his peers
- Learn from the real cases presented by others
Lasting, meaningful results
Two years later, Antoine is still in touch with members of his Mastermind group. The connections remain strong, and the benefits of the experience continue to grow.
“You learn English without even realizing it. It never feels like you’re wasting your time. You’re doing something useful right away.”
What he took from the program:
- A smooth sense of progress without academic pressure
- A natural integration of English into his professional life
- And most importantly, a new ease and confidence in business conversations
His verdict:
“If you’re looking for a way to get comfortable in English quickly, without feeling like you’re taking an English class, this is the program for you.”