A trained instrumentation and control technician, Steve Deshaies has had a broad professional background that has always been influenced by entrepreneurship—both of his parents were business owners and inspired him at a young age. That is why, after a career in industrial maintenance and robotics, he decided to start his own business in 2010, which he ultimately closed a few years later. He then held various positions within the company Kopers until an opportunity arose for him to become a shareholder. This offer sparked an idea for Steve, prompting him to seriously reconsider becoming a business owner and explore which field he wanted to pursue.
Beyond his professional experience, Steve evolved in another environment that proved highly formative for him: motocross. He had no inkling that his career would turn toward this sport that he has always been passionate about. And it’s no exaggeration to say that he never saw it coming—the fact that he ended up becoming the owner of Boscomoto, a Victoriaville business specializing in parts and accessories for all motorized sports, was the result of a misunderstanding.
While exploring several business succession opportunities, Steve decided to try his luck in real estate investment. His research led him to an advertisement for the Boscomoto building, which was for sale. He went to meet with Michel Thibodeau, founder and owner, who took him completely by surprise: it wasn’t just the building that was up for sale, but the entire business!
Before jumping on this opportunity, Steve began his thought process by talking to entrepreneurs in the region to fully assess the implications and potential of such a purchase. His accountant helped him evaluate the business and supported him through the entire round of purchase offers and negotiations, which lasted about 6 months. Many valuable allies assisted him during this journey, including the Desjardins Entreprises team, as well as a close friend, Martin Lecomte, who mentored him and introduced him to various professionals. Finally, thanks to an agreement reached in December 2021, Steve became the owner and sole shareholder of the store in January 2022.
From Michel’s perspective, the emotional aspect played a significant role during the negotiations. He had built Boscomoto from the ground up and wanted to sell it to someone who would preserve the company culture that meant so much to him. He found that person in Steve, who showed him that his intentions were genuine: “Without destroying his business’ identity, I brought internal improvements to modernize it; I simply reacquainted Bosco with our clientele, so they could take ownership of it again.” Among the changes introduced, an automated system that greatly simplifies operations for the team stands out; that team has gradually grown since Steve’s arrival.
The best part of all this is that Boscomoto’s loyal customers are the first to notice and appreciate how devoted the new owner is to his business. “My greatest success is seeing people walk in and be very impressed by how much things have changed. Our customers have a strong sense of belonging. When we go to motocross events, we see loads of Boscomoto stickers everywhere,” Steve proudly remarks.
Looking ahead, Steve plans one day to expand Boscomoto through acquisitions—but for now, he intends to launch his online store later this year and expand the store to introduce a mechanical service in 2025. Fortunately, his ambitions are matched only by his passion for the business. As he puts it himself: “Buying a business just for the sake of buying a business won’t work. You have to really enjoy what you’re doing and do it out of passion, not just for the paycheck.”
boscomoto.com
boscomoto.com
