In the highly competitive world of renovation, Inovas stands apart because of its innovative ideas, customer-centric process, and path-breaking approach to renovations. As the Director General, Nicolas Gotych ensures that the company delivers more value to clients than they expect. “My vision has always been to stand out from competitors by being both better and different,” he says.
Under Nicolas’s visionary leadership, the company focuses on innovation, customer-centric thinking, and continuous improvement. “By pushing ourselves to exceed expectations,” Nicolas says, “we have strengthened our reputation and created sustainable growth for the company.”
Inspired by Entrepreneurs and Impact
Nicolas was drawn to entrepreneurship from a young age. He was fascinated by entrepreneurs and the impact they could create. “I always dreamed of becoming one of them,” he says.
As he grew, that dream developed into a strong drive to take initiative and to understand how successful businesses operate. According to him, this mindset naturally guided him toward leadership roles and, eventually, to the position of CEO at Inovas, where he can turn ideas into action and support others in achieving their full potential.
And what ignited his interest in the field of construction? Nicolas shares that when he first came to France about 23 years ago, the easiest way to find a job was in the construction industry. What began as his only option gradually evolved into a passion, which has set him on a successful entrepreneurship journey.
A Brief Introduction to Inovas
Inovas is a modern company specialising in high-end luxury apartment renovations in Paris. It positions itself as the Mercedes-Benz, or even the Swiss watch, of the construction industry. According to Nicolas, they are proud of that identity.
He also points out that the company’s growth can be divided into two stages. The first, up to 2020, was a period defined by growth. “In those years, growth was the most important thing for me,” he says. From 2020 until now, however, the focus has shifted. Instead of growth, quality and profitability have become the most important aspect of the business for him.
Nicolas does not anticipate dramatic changes in their industry over the next decade. “However, one thing will remain essential: the demand for consistent, high-quality work,” he says. “At Inovas, our focus is to maintain this level of quality regardless of how the market evolves.”
Biggest Challenge: Recruiting the Right People
No leader’s journey is ever smooth. It is strewn with obstacles, and as an entrepreneur, Nicolas has faced his fair share. For him, one major challenge was learning how to recruit the right people and build a strong, cohesive team.
He points out that HR and talent acquisition were completely new to him, and this initially became a drawback and hindered his progress. Determined to overcome it, he invested time in studying modern recruitment practices and refining their interview processes. He also realised that hiring is not just about evaluating skills. It is equally about understanding mindset, values, and long-term potential.
“This allowed us to onboard people who not only perform well, but who also align with our vision and contribute to a positive, results-driven work environment,” Nicolas says.
He also states that one cannot succeed all alone: it is thanks to the strong team that Inovas managed to achieve its development goals. “I would like to thank all the employees of our company, especially Thomas Mentec, our deputy director, who is also a stockholder of our company; and also Nicolas Houiche, our business manager, Marianna Tuz, our multilingual assistant to the director, Natalia Sahan, our accountant, and Yurii Boichuk, our delivery driver. Our progress would not be possible without our on-site employees. A special thank you goes to Stepan, Roman, Bohdan, Oleh, Vitalii, Volodymyr, Ivan, and others for their dedication and expertise.”
Significant Achievement: Structured Internal Processes
Nicolas points out that since 2021, all their internal processes have become fully structured and consistent. Their execution has become smoother as well, and he considers these developments to be some of his most significant achievements as a leader.
Automation through software played a role in this transformation, but it didn’t happen only because of it. People were the main driver behind this change. “Our team reached a level of expertise where every employee mastered their responsibilities and delivered with reliability and efficiency,” Nicolas explains.
Innovation, Collaboration, and Competition
Innovation plays a significant role in Inovas’s success and long-term development. According to Nicolas, it allows them to stay ahead of the market, continuously improve their services, and respond quickly to the evolving needs of their clients. “For us, innovation is not just about new ideas, but it is also about constantly looking for better ways to work, encouraging creativity within the team, and challenging ourselves to exceed expectations,” he says. This mindset has been essential for maintaining their competitiveness and ensuring sustainable growth.
Nicolas welcomes competition. He believes that it allows one to make efforts to become a better version of oneself, which helps make the company better and more competitive.
And in order to foster collaboration and empowerment within their team to achieve long-term goals, Nicolas and his team focus on creating an environment where people feel trusted, involved, and responsible. “To foster collaboration,” he points out, “I encourage open communication, make sure everyone understands the bigger picture, and involve the team in key decisions when possible.”
The Diary of a Director General
Over the years, Nicolas has learned to manage and structure his time with intention. His mornings are dedicated exclusively to strategic work and the long-term development of the company. “This is when my focus and creativity are at their best,” he says. After lunch, Nicolas’s focus shifts to operational management. During this time, he supports his teams, resolves issues, and ensures that daily activities run smoothly.
He is also involved in administrative and legal matters as well as taxes and advertising – he develops the company’s marketing strategy, ensuring all communication and publicity channels perform effectively. He takes great pride in being able to oversee almost every aspect of the company.
Nicolas believes in leading by example. His colleague points out that he is a true example of a leader. He is also known for his kindness and efficiency. In addition to that, he is punctual, honest, has a strong work ethic, and always keeps his word. “Everything I do as a leader, whether arriving on time, following through on commitments, or staying fully engaged with the team, I make sure my actions reflect what I expect from others,” he says.
He adds: “Over time, this consistency has helped build a culture of trust, discipline, and mutual respect within the company.”
Nicolas draws his motivation from competition and quality. He strives to stay ahead of competitors and is committed to improving the client experience. According to him, he puts a great deal of effort into making every renovation perfect for his clients.
Nicolas’s work schedule is demanding, but he still finds time for his family. “My work-life balance is good,” he says. He works four days a week. In addition to Saturdays and Sundays, he does not work on Wednesdays. “In France, children don’t go to school on Wednesdays,” he shares. “And I take Wednesdays off to spend time with my children.”
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Nicolas advises aspiring leaders to take their time in order to choose their niche wisely because it is the right choice that garantees success. And of course you have to love what you do and not make your decision based solely on financial gain.
“And once you choose your niche, commit to it fully,” he says. He also encourages them to learn about their niche in depth, understand their customers better than anyone else, and differentiate themselves through quality, consistency, and authenticity.
“And you need to understand where you can truly add value and where the market has real demand,” Nicolas tells aspiring leaders. “This will help you make one of the most important decisions as an entrepreneur.”
He also points out that for him, leadership is not about titles, but it is more about showing integrity, discipline, and consistency in everything a leader does. “If future professionals can look at my journey and see that success comes from hard work, honesty, and staying true to your values, then I will have made a meaningful contribution,” Nicolas says.
Success Is Rooted in Moral Values
For Nicolas, success is rooted in moral values. He explains that it means staying true to his principles, acting with integrity, and knowing that his decisions positively impact others. “Financial results matter, but real success is when you can look at your work, your relationships, and your contribution with a clear conscience and a sense of purpose,” he points out.
The Legacy!
Nicolas hopes to make an impact through his example. And as someone who wants to leave behind a legacy as an enterpreneur, Nicolas is driven by a commitment to the greater good. “I hope to leave a legacy of efficiency and an organisation where processes run smoothly, the company develops more and more with each year, teams work with clarity and confidence, and excellence becomes the standard,” he says.
Still, A Lot to Achieve!
Nicolas does not believe he has achieved everything he dreamed of. There is still a lot more he wants to accomplish. “There is always a way to improve things,” he says. “In the next phase, I aspire to build multi-story buildings and apartment blocks as a developer.” Nicolas’s goal has always been to become the leading expert in his niche in Paris…
