Henri Feasson

Baker and Business Owner, Toronto, ON, 2006

Business Owner, Toronto, ON

After 25 years of running the family business with his wife Lori, Henri is on the cusp of retirement. It’s a scary prospect for a host of reasons. Having worked since he was 15 years old, Henri can’t quite imagine life without it. But more than that, he anticipates missing a specific relationship to work and the workplace: “The main thing is nobody needs you anymore. You know, ‘you can come to work but we don’t need you.’” This sense of impending loss of purpose is heightened by the fact that he and Lori built Bonjour Brioche from the ground up. Through “lots of hard work and a bit of luck” it grew from a shabby building to a destination bakery, and in a neighbourhood that has gone from poor to rich. He points out that back in the 1990s, nobody wanted to be on the east side of Toronto, and now, property sells for millions.

At the same time, Henri feels life is short and is looking forward to finding a more relaxed rhythm.

“I wanna get up in the morning and go for a bike ride or walk. Take the dog out. Yeah, no pressure. But I'm [also] afraid I'm gonna miss the pressure. You know, we worked hard for 25 years, and Bonjour Brioche has become something in Toronto, so we are pretty proud and we have great customers. It’s just time to quit. Like a friend just passed, 67, you know, that's not far now [for us]. So let's enjoy it.”

Henri can retire with the satisfaction that he has supported many young workers over the years and has passed on his skill and knowledge in artisanal baking. Making a kneading gesture with his hands, he says, “I like my job, I mean, you make something”…