About Us
WHO ARE WE ?
Since 1968, Naturiste has been supporting you in your search for well-being. With their 41 stores in Quebec, Naturiste advisers are trained to help you select the natural products you need to fully enjoy life. We are a company entirely dedicated to natural wellness products, and each of our actions has a social impact towards your well-being.
Live well, be better!
FROM THE BEGINNING, HERE IS A MAN WITH A MISSION
Jean-Marc Brunet is a boxer and a blood clot in his brain forces him to temporarily retire from competition. He then discovered a book that would soon change his life: "Never Be Sick Again: The Secret of Longevity", by Robert G. Jackson. This book exposes the virtues of healthy eating habits and a way of life that lead to a radical improvement in a person's quality of life. Absolutely fascinated by his reading, Jean-Marc Brunet will now put all his energies into transmitting his fascinating discovery to Quebecers.
THE BUSINESSMAN JOURNALIST
While studying naturopathy, Jean-Marc Brunet was hired by the French radio station CKLM. He was asked to host a show on alternative medicine and the station was quickly inundated with calls from listeners who wanted to know more about this discipline.
Pushed by the sacred fire, the young naturopath soon opened his first clinic in his apartment in Outremont and took care of a long list of patients that never stopped growing.
OUR STORY
1968
THE FIRST STORE: A LABORATORY DEDICATED TO A BETTER LIFESTYLE:
Frustrated by the lack of quality products for his patients, Jean-Marc Brunet decides to open his first store on St-Denis Street, under the name Le Naturiste Jean-Marc Brunet. This store is incredibly ahead of its time by offering the services of a naturopath, organic food and food supplements, some of which come from Europe. This was unheard of at the time! The clientele takes advantage of complete services and signs up, in addition, for cooking classes that he gives in his garage that he recently converted into a "classroom"!
Following the MASTER's example: CUSTOMERS BECOME DETAILERS:
It wasn't long before an affluent Shawinigan client whose chronic arthritis was deemed incurable by traditional medicine, was successfully treated. This woman became the first owner of a Le Naturiste franchise. And the good news spreads: eight other stores are born, managed by eight autres patients subjugués par les résultats de la médecine du naturiste Jean- Marc Brunet. Mr. Brunet has a busy schedule: he takes care of his patients and his store during the day, and in the evening, spends his time with his franchisees and writes to his growing following on a variety of topics.
1977
Jean-Marc Brunet meets one of the most influential people in his life, Mr. Pierre Péladeau. A brilliant entrepreneur, Mr. Péladeau detected in this young naturopath the ambition to become a major player in the field of natural health in Quebec. He encourages him to make the most of his business qualities and to spread his influence as far as he wishes. At a rate of nearly one new boutique per month, the boutiques are swarming and the chain is experiencing fantastic growth.
1984
Jean-Marc Brunet inherits a column in Le Journal de Montréal, gives sold-out conferences and his book "Mon Guide de santé naturelle" sells more than 300 000 copies.
1988
The chain opens its 68th store, Le Naturiste becomes Canada's largest natural health retailer.
2000
The natural health products industry is struggling. Large retailers share the same desire to promote health through natural products and are moving into Canada. Several Le Naturiste stores have to close their doors not being able to maintain the quality of their products while trying to model themselves on the new prices of the competition. Jean-Marc Brunet then decides that it is time to "hand over" to a buyer who can compete on equal terms with the fierce competition while continuing the company's legacy.