A woman made of hardened steel

On the occasion of women's rights day, on March 8, we met three entrepreneurs from Marais, in the field of chocolate, photography and metals.

Meeting with three remarkable women.

♀

After a career in the world of finance, Nathalie Darras took over the company Tartaix Métaux Outillage in 2015. A century-old company specializing in metals, notably steel and brass, and tools sold at retail in a boutique in the rue du Pont-aux-Choux.

• What is your trajectory?

After a career as an auditor and administrative and financial director in a press group, I wanted to take over a business in the craft industry.

My grandfather was a carpenter and cabinetmaker, my parents were handymen, my father had a fittings business.

It took me two years to find a business to take over. It's long.

One day, in 2015, I came across the Tartaix file. I fell in love with this metals and tools company created in 1870 on rue du Pont-aux-Choux.

The store, with 1406 drawers and 8000 references, has a soul. And our clientele is the most eclectic imaginable: there are professionals in carpentry, chandeliers, decoration, restoration, jewelers and artists, fashion stylists, antique dealers, engraving and design schools. A Parisian cabaret or a large aeronautics company are also among our clients.

• How did the buyout go?

I studied the file through an association which connects companies and buyers.

My interlocutor within this association tried to dissuade me from looking at the Tartaix file. I think she thought that a woman in a workshop making metal objects wouldn't work. Perhaps she imagined that it was too masculine a world for me.

• Is being a woman in a men's industry complicated?

Frankly, I had never asked myself the question in these terms. Previously, I did auditing and was a “DAF”: very male-dominated jobs.

I grew up with three siblings and one brother. We were raised the same: absolute equality, independence. I pass this on to my daughters.

But, it’s true, misogyny came back to me like a boomerang.

• That is to say ?

During my research, some potential sellers told me, "I'm not going to sell to a woman."

When I took over Tartaix, the 100% male team accepted me well. I explained to them that my professional expertise was complementary to their know-how and that I was not there to teach them their trade.

But I had clients who reminded me of my femininity. Some took me for the boss's daughter or wife.

Suppliers were asking to speak to my supervisor. For a long time, when I answered the phone, the person on the line asked to speak to a man.

There are plenty of anecdotes like that but, precisely, it remains anecdotal. Besides, there are also women who make these kinds of remarks to me.

Tartaix
13 Rue du Pont aux Choux, 75003 Paris
Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. then from 14 p.m. to 17 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Phone: 01 42 72 02 63

Text: Katia Barillot
Photos: ©Anaïs Costet

08.03.20