What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Studying and Working in the United States

Studying and working in the United States teaches entrepreneurs ambition, confidence in selling ideas, execution speed, and comfort with risk—skills that can be adapted to build, scale, and exit companies globally.

Learning Ambition and Confidence Early

“At 20 years old, I had this idea of starting this company… so I went up the Empire State Building and asked to see the boss.”

This anecdote captures the mindset Patrice Thiry developed early on in the United States: confidence, boldness, and the belief that ideas deserve to be pitched directly.

Growing up in the suburbs of Paris, Patrice moved to Boston at 17 to study at Babson College, where entrepreneurship is treated as a discipline grounded in action.

Exposure to a Results-Driven Entrepreneurial Culture

Studying and working in the U.S. immersed Patrice in an environment where:

• Initiative is rewarded
• Selling ideas is a core skill
• Failure is part of learning

This culture encourages entrepreneurs to act quickly, test assumptions, and iterate in real market conditions.

Translating American Skills to Global Business

After graduating, Patrice spent five years working in New York and London, leading sales and marketing operations for Russell Athletic across Europe and Asia.

By combining American execution speed with French strategic thinking, he developed a hybrid approach well suited to international business.

Bringing the U.S. Mindset Back to France

When Patrice returned to France, he applied these learnings to build ProwebCE, a startup focused on employee benefits and engagement.

The company grew rapidly and was sold in 2017 for €300 million, demonstrating how U.S.-influenced entrepreneurial practices can translate successfully into European markets.

Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs

This conversation highlights that studying and working in the United States teaches more than technical skills.

Entrepreneurs gain:

• Confidence to pitch bold ideas
• A bias toward action and execution
• Comfort with ambition and scale

When adapted thoughtfully, these lessons can unlock growth and success across borders.