Since the start of autumn 2025, Good Morning 500, Beci's weekly breakfast, has changed its format: every Thursday is based around a theme. In October, we are celebrating our 100th networking morning. Interview with Jean-Marie Defaut.
It's barely 8 am and already voices are rising and cups are clinking. In the lobby of Avenue Louise 500, the smell of coffee rivals that of croissants. But the most important thing is elsewhere: in the handshakes that spark conversations, in the glances that hint at new projects. Good Morning 500, which began as a simple breakfast, has become a ritual for entrepreneurs in Brussels. In October, it will celebrate its 100th anniversary. This is an opportunity to ask Jean-Marie Defaut, its organiser, what makes this morning meeting so powerful.
Good Morning 500 is often referred to as ‘ the breakfast for entrepreneurs’. What does it really mean to you?
Above all, it's a moment to meet people and network. Being an entrepreneur doesn't just start when you own a company: it starts as soon as an idea sprouts, or as soon as you decide to become an entrepreneur. Many people hesitate to identify with this term because they don't ‘feel the spark’ yet. I wanted to break this barrier with Good Morning 500, thanks to the flexibility of my work at Beci: bringing together all those who are entrepreneurs, small or large, members or non-members, flexible self-employed people, SMEs, start-ups and more established companies. At GM500, we share experiences, questions and advice, far from the isolation that entrepreneurs can sometimes feel.
This is now your second “season” in this role as organiser. What has changed in practical terms this year?
The event is still weekly, but we've introduced something new: every Thursday now has a theme, whether it's finance, mobility, female entrepreneurship, to name but a few examples, while keeping the spirit of GM500 alive. The idea is not to filter the audience according to their interests, but to provide a common thread, while leaving the door open to everyone.
How do these themes change things for participants?
They provide material for discussion. Networking remains at the heart of GM500, accounting for 85 to 90% of the time, but the themes allow us to initiate discussions that speak to everyone. Take ‘loneliness as an entrepreneur’, for example: this is a reality, whether you’re at the head of a multinational or just starting out. The same goes for finance and mobility, which are topics that concern everyone, regardless of the size of their organisation. These moments create a space to talk about these issues, share experiences and give each other advice. We often realise that we have more in common than we imagined.
You also stress the importance of diversity in profiles. Why is that?
Because that's what makes meetings so enriching. Seeing the head of a large organisation talking to someone who has just launched their start-up – that's what GM500 is all about. We break down barriers and silos. No matter the size of the organisation, everyone has something to contribute.
Can we suggest a theme for a future GM500?
Absolutely. If anyone has an idea, they can contact me by email or telephone. We'll set up a meeting, discuss it, and see how we can tailor the proposal. The basic idea is to make the GM500 collective and participatory. We don't choose at random: the idea is to strike a balance between topics that appeal to a wide audience and those that allow us to explore certain subjects in greater depth. The themes are already pretty much set until Christmas, but there's always room for new ideas.
Is the hundredth edition cause for celebration?
Yes, it's symbolic! One hundred editions means that the format is working and that it meets people's expectations. Many sessions are fully booked without us having to do much promotion. Participants know that they will find something here that speaks to them, and that's what keeps them coming back. For me, it's a source of pride, but above all, it's motivation to continue developing the GM500 without losing its spirit: the pleasure of getting together over coffee and croissants to share much more than just breakfast.
The Beci community looks forward to seeing you at the next Good Morning 500! Places are going like hot 'croissants', so grab yours now! => Here !