In this episode of Twice ✌️, Thibaud Elzière sits down with Nicolas Reboud, co‑founder of Mayoz, Printic, and Shine.
His journey began in photography and mobile printing before pivoting to fintech with the creation of Shine, a “neobank” built for freelancers, later acquired by Société Générale.
Nicolas opens up about his hesitant beginnings in entrepreneurship, his doubts and imposter syndrome, and the balance he’s always tried to maintain between ambition and personal life. No endless all‑nighters, no unicorn obsession — just a clear, sustainable vision of what it really means to build a company.
From launching Mayoz, his first online photo contest platform, to the rapid rise (and abrupt fall) of Printic, and finally to the Shine adventure, Nicolas candidly shares what he would do differently, why he rejects the glorification of suffering, and how to build a company that lasts without losing yourself in the process.
Today, after 15 years of creating and a successful exit, he’s taking time to learn, observe, and figure out what comes next.
We talk about:
Starting a company when you feel “not cut out for it”
Becoming an entrepreneur almost by accident (with a determined partner’s push)
Structural mistakes at Mayoz and Printic
What he would do differently in fundraising
How Shine emerged from a mix of product vision and personal alignment
Building a lasting company without sacrificing family
Salary transparency, gender parity, and governance in practice
The moment you say yes to an acquisition offer
Life after the exit — what’s left to do?
Timeline
00:00 – Introduction & early doubts about entrepreneurship
04:30 – Mayoz: photo contests, white walls, and early hiring mistakes
12:00 – Printic: hyper‑growth and a fast acquisition
21:00 – Why Shine? And how the idea evolved
28:30 – Fundraising, growth, and company culture
36:40 – Building without burning out: a radical choice
45:10 – Transparency, parity, and balance‑driven leadership
54:00 – Shine’s acquisition by Société Générale: behind the scenes
01:07:00 – What now? Restarting or slowing down to do better
