Valerie Morin is the owner and founder of A La Mode Accessories. Born in Haiti, she is currently pursuing a degree in Business and Communication. A self-described God-fearing, spontaneous, self-motivated, and independent woman, she is disciplined enough to be juggling her college coursework alongside running a fashion business.

Does being a businesswoman come easily to you?
I would have to say yes and no. Yes—because above all I love what I do. I love interacting with people. I love and enjoy helping others. I love talking about the business and the plans that we—me and my two business partners—have for A La Mode. I enjoy working and getting feedback from my clientele, and whatever I do for the business I do it with passion. On the other hand, I am still in school and have a separate job, therefore it is very hard for me to jungle everything at the same time. But overall, I prioritize my tasks and manage to always put A La Mode and its clientele first.

Some girls swear that clothes are everything. How important are accessories to an outfit?
I think it is safe to say that accessories and clothing have an equal significance in an outfit. They work together to create an “ensemble” that matches your personality, creates your mood and express your style. But accessories have the power to change a relax lunch to a casual Friday at work to girls night out. For example: let’s take a really basic outfit, such as, a white buttoned-up shirt and a pair of fitted, straight legged jeans in a dark denim wash. Using only accessories I can wear this outfit on three different scenes: One, lunch with my girls, I would wear my everyday wood beads like, Wood Revolution or Three Musketeers. Two, for a casual Friday at work. I would switch my beads to something more elegant like Elegant Night. Three, for a casual date night, I would put on a more appealed necklace like Africa with an assorted evening clutch and my heels. Accessories can make or break your outfit; you just have to know how to use them.

And what should a low-budget fashionista keep in mind when choosing accessories?
Just like clothes, accessories are hard to shop for. She or he should know what goes with her or him in terms of colors and shape. First thing to look for is elegance, shape and color. Second thing, is to choose a couple pieces you can match with the old accessories that you already have in your accessories box. Personally, I always color-block my accessories as well as my clothes, so that when I go shopping, it is easier for me to just grab and go without the repetition of colors. Third and most important thing is price; I heard if you shop at an outlet it will be cheaper than the main store. You could also check the clearance section of the store you go to, or look for the discounts or use coupons. A lot of people are fashionistas on a budget; you do not need to have a million dollar bracelet or necklace to be in trend. You buy what you can afford and model what you have. All that counts is the way you wear it.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
Almost 5 years ago. But I am going this coming December. I have no excuse on why I waited that long. I just know that it wasn’t the time yet. Now I feel more comfortable on going there and reliving the wonderful memories that I have of my country.

Which pieces of A La Mode collection are more popular with your clients?
Since we do not duplicate our products, I would say all of them are pretty much popular with our clients. A lot of people cannot understand why we choose to do it like that, but it’s pretty simple. How many people you know like to have the same thing as their friends? Few of them; some even say that it is pretty corny. I like bringing the unique side of myself and I have to say that it brings a certain satisfaction to know that no one—not to say never, because it can occur that someone reuse the design—have or will have the same model or color accessory…So, I wanted my clients to feel the same way, unique.

Were you pretty much the queen of the hallway when you were in high school?
Ah Ha Ah, no. I was the most annoying kid at school and a fashionista to the bone. Because of that, a lot of people knew me. Back then I was more focused on acing my classes, dancing, having fun with my friends, avoiding my parents [Laughter] and being myself that I had no time to even think about being popular and all. I think that is why I had such a great time in high School.

Are your parents your biggest supporters?
Unfortunately no, [but] I have a couple of them. God—He is my biggest one of all time. My boyfriend and my cousin who happen to be my business partners, and three of my little cousins. These people are my rock, and they all have a say in my designs. As soon as I am done making a piece, I send a picture to them for approval. We do not normally see eye to eye, but I can always count on them.

Were you undecided when choosing a name for your brand?
Not at all; the name came to me after I decided to go into business. I was at home making my very first bracelet, Wood Revolution, and booooom, A La Mode Accessories came to me. It was so easy, that at first, I was afraid to use it. I started looking for other names, but somehow I kept on coming back to A La Mode. I called my cousin and my boyfriend and told them; they automatically approved of it. So from then, A La Mode Accessories was born.

What have you learned about the fashion and accessories business that you feel that every aspiring business person in the arena ought to know?
Oh my God! I have learned so many things that I had to highlight the important ones so that I do not forget them. First thing that I have learned was to never take what you have and where you are for granted because just like God gave you and can also retake. Second thing is to always be in trend. To always update your inventory with new things; rather it’s the pattern, the colors, the materials or the shape. Because people are looking for a variety of things to choose from—so give them that. Third thing is that there is no friends and family in business. I don’t mean it in a selfish manner, but if you want your business to see another day do not choose a particular group of people to give a discount. When you have a business, everyone should be a client. If there is a promotion, I believe that each and every customer or client should benefit from it. After all, your customers are your biggest supporters. Without them, you would be nothing; so treat them justly. You have to be able to understand the biggest law and regulation in business: “The customer comes first and is always right.” Once you understand that, you will succeed. And last, but not least, have fun doing what you do best. Take a breather; smile and count your blessings because if you don’t, you will be stressed and will not be able to provide the service necessary to keep your customers happy. And remember, hard times always comes first; keep your head up. Your time will come to shine.

Visit the A La Mode Accessories website HERE.

Like many college students, Shaina Louis has to decide how to schedule her classes so that she can also have a social life, and time for a job. But Shaina’s “job” is different from those of most of her peers. You see, she’s her own boss. As the founder of La Glasse Slipper, which she initially started on Etsy, but has since branched out offline to other markets, she’s joining the leagues of entrepreneurs who are launching brands while still in undergrad. Her first breakthrough as a business woman came from attending the Clinton Global Initiative conference as part of a program on campus. She presented her business idea at the event, and was awarded $1300 in seed funding.

From there, the New York resident was in business. La Glasse Slipper consists of jewelry and arts and crafts pieces marketed by Shaina herself.

These days, La Glasse Slipper’s founder has been making quite some leaps with her startup. One of her biggest coups this year was getting her brand in Main Street Mercantile, one of the most influential shops in the Fairport, New York area. Another is increasing the number of women she employs in Haiti.

The lady boss was born in Aux Cayes, Haiti and moved to New York eight years ago when she was eleven. She says that the name of her brand is a French/English for The Glass Slipper.

Above: A piece from the La Glasse Slipper collection, a fashion and crafts accessories line launched by Shaina Louis, a college junior.

Kreyolicious: How did you come to be interested in fashion and jewelry design?
In Haiti, I went to a very competitive Catholic school where everyone aspired to become doctors and other traditional occupations, but I was always different with my own goals and aspirations. My mother graduated from law school and was involved in the political circuit in town. She was very active in providing opportunities for the women in our neighborhood. Being the only woman attending community meetings and watching her gather women from our neighborhood to distribute food and other resources, I was inspired to follow her footsteps. She was always lending a hand where needed. I began to organize my ideas and create an opportunity that women in Haiti could easily learn and benefit from. That’s when I started getting interested into fashion and jewelry design. [It should be] noted[that] Haitian women are good at crafting and sewing, so it only made sense to create a job where they can continue to excel[at it]. My mother was a teacher too, and my father was a self-made businessman. My mother raised me to treat others like I would want to be treated. My brother is following her footsteps in going to law school, but I want to be business-savvy like my dad was in Haiti.

Above: The entrepreneur wears one of the pieces from her startup La Glasse Slipper.

Kreyolicious: Ah…any skills you learned in school that’s helping you carry out your business?
Yes. [Back when I was] a freshman, we were only allowed to take so many classes, especially within our grade level. I had a meeting with my academic adviser about a course that caught my immediate attention, but was not offered to freshmen. After our meeting, I was given the “okay” to take Social Entrepreneurship. I started to see my project as more than just a hobby. From this point, I began crafting my college experience around my business plan, which at the time was just an idea. Later, I took classes in Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Legal Environment of Business, and Micro and Macroeconomics all of which are things that I put to use everyday in my business.

Kreyolicious: What do you like the most about being an entrepreneur?
The best part of being a social entrepreneur is being an entrepreneur for a cause that is so personal. It is a great feeling hiring a childhood friend by way of earned opportunity instead of merely sending money. My mother’s strength, knowledge and poise allowed me to be where I am today. Her perseverance and dedication to law school while raising three children with a full-time job in Haiti makes being a social entrepreneur that much more exciting. The saying, “My foot is too big for the glass slipper”, is more than just my mission statement. It’s all about opening an avenue for Haitian women to be self-sufficient and independent while earning a living to surpass the societal pressure of marriage to escape poverty. Reducing male financial dependency is a huge part.

Kreyolicious: Girl, I am in awe. Where do you see your brand five years from now?
I am always thinking and coming up with new ideas. In five years, my small atelier would grow into employing the majority of women that live in the [outskirt] areas in Aux Cayes. The women are currently working on designing pillowcases and creating traditional Haitian dresses and skirts. I want to grow into a lifestyle brand where people can count on La Glasse Slipper to get authentic handcrafted jewelry, art, home decor and other goods for their home made out recycled materials.

Above: A bracelet from the La Glasse Slipper collection.

Kreyolicious: What female entrepreneurs do you most admire?
I have a lot of females entrepreneurs that I draw inspiration from. Myrtha Vilbon, a woman that started her own toilet paper company in Haiti after overcoming so many obstacles. I admire anyone that builds a business from the ground up and continues to pursue their passion.

Kreyolicious: Impressive…What advice would you like to give to someone who wants to follow your footsteps?
I would tell them to believe in their vision even when others don’t. In the beginning a lot of people thought that I was just a tourist that was just buying goods in Haiti just to go back home and sell them. I had a vision much bigger than that, and I stuck with it. My experiences have taught me to go for it—even if you don’t know where it’s going to go.

Kreyolicious: Your parents have given you their stamp of approval?
Explaining to my Haitian parents that I am double majoring in Marketing and Business instead of going into the medical field was not an easy task. Telling them about my three-week trip to Haiti by myself when I turned eighteen was harder. Once my mother saw how much of an impact that I can make, she understood why I wanted to go back and follow my dreams. She supports me a hundred percent. After all, she knows—and I quote—“Shaina is gonna do what Shaina wants to do.”

Support Shaina and her venture! CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER La Glasse Slipper STORE, AND GET SOMETHING CUTE FOR YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT!| La Glasse Slipper ON FACEBOOK

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An interview with the founder of Kadokélé, a jewelry and fashion line. #kreyolicious

It’s been more than a year since Marie-France Merisier founded her accessories and fashion brand Kadokélé. She has grown a lot since then as a person and as an entrepreneur. Follow my conversation with her as we discuss the latest with her brand!

Kreyolicious: What has the Kadokélé brand been up to?
Kadokélé has really evolved. I was apprehensive about combining my original ventures: Kélé Arts Design & Kado by Marie-France. I was under the impression [that] it [might] confuse my fan base and possibly chase them away. However, with a great support system—of family, friends and entrepreneurs—everything made sense and fell into place.

Currently, we’ve expanded our product line by introducing more clothing and handcrafted jewelry. We’ve launched Métissage, a colorful Caribbean clothing collection with bold textures, patterns and prints.

Our hand-painted mussel shells jewelry are fan favorites and are quickly becoming our signature pieces.

Kadokélé’s clothing design offerings.

Kreyolicious: And you have another venture…Artfully France. Tell us more about that.
I wanted people to not only know the designer behind the brand but also know me as a foodie, a lover of life who finds art in the smallest things. I also wanted a space to be more personable and relatable to connect, learn and share with others. I think women are like an onion, we are full of juicy layers. @artfullyfrance is a place where I share all my layers: food, art, people, travel, fashion and most importantly my creative process for @kadokele.

Kadokele, a fashion accessories brand launched by Marie-France Merisier Noel

One of my layers is my passion for cooking. Growing up in Haiti, my mother instilled in me that there is a way to present your food and serve people. That stayed with me! #eatartfully on my food post, is an homage to my mother, who I appreciate and love dearly.

Another layer is my love of travel and culture. On a recent trip to Martinique, I was so inspired by the roadside market and the lovely woman selling her fresh produce. The odds that her family resides in the states, less than twenty miles from me in Brockton, Ma. gave me a deeper appreciation for connection. Renewed from my trip, I launched “Inspirational Features” on my blog artfullykadokele.tumblr.com and featured her. Since then, I’ve featured others (Lisa Drouillard, Miss Universe’15, Tamara Theophile, a budding cook in New York, Joelle Jean-Fontaine/iRvin Photography @iamkreyol @d_irvin) highlighting people, their path in life and their stories.

Kreyolicious: Has being an entrepreneur gotten easier for you as time has gone by?
I wouldn’t say easier, but it definitely has gotten better as I am more in tuned with my brand and its message of inspiring all to LiveArtfully. I think you will stop growing if it all gets easier. The challenges that you face along the way are the contributing factors to being successful in the long run.

Kadokele

Kreyolicious: Do you have any tips on networking with others?
I think people make the mistake of focusing too much on what they need first. [Just] Imagine the reverse? Ask how I can help you first. It’ll spark a different dynamic. You have to be genuinely interested in getting to know people, what they do, learn from them first to harvest a connection for future exchange.

Kreyolicious: So you have these jersey dresses that a lot of your clients are loving. What made you add these pieces to your offerings?
Thank you for noticing. My aunt, Renée, a loyal supporter, planted the seeds. She suggested how beautiful uncle Kélé paintings would look on dresses in one of our intimate talks over a year ago.

We’ve introduced the jersey dresses this spring and I’m very grateful for the amazing response.

An interview with Kadokélé founder Marie-Frances Merisier

Kreyolicious: Where do you see your brands going?
I see [myself] striving to find creative ways to be a stimulation of Caribbean art in clothing and hand-crafted jewelry in the fashion world. I look forward to creating a website that is as colorful and captivating as our products.

I hope to link my personal page and blog on my business page as it continues to grow with more creative projects, inspirational features as well as giving back to Haiti by partnering with non-profit organizations to support artists and the youth.

A design from Kadokélé’s clothing offerings.

This has been another episode of KREYOLICIOUS FASHION, brought to you by your fave chick Kreyolicious! Tune in next time, and be sure to check out the KREYOLICIOUS FASHION archives!

BE SURE TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS BRAND! VISIT THE KADOKÉLÉ STORE HERE! | VISIT THE KADOKÉLÉ INSTAGRAM PAGE

Native Bostonian Shella Saintcyr is the creative entrepreneur behind the crochet accessories line House of Saintcyr. Saintcyr’s colorful pieces are unique, and would make any fashionista’s shopping day. Her line offers everything from church hats, to crochet hoops, headbands to crochet spiral earrings and messenger bags. Saintcyr is never short on creativity.

Kreyolicious: Prior to starting House of Saintcyr, did you ever have any sort of inkling that you were meant to be a business woman?

No.  Not really. I watched my mother run a small business—buying clothing and accessories from New York and selling them out of the family van on various corners of Boston. She would take one of my seven sisters and I on the Greyhound bus with her to meet our extended family in New York. When we got there, she would barter with shop owners for the best prices for dozens of hair bows and dresses not easily found in Boston. My mother successfully learned to solve two problems—how to uniquely dress her 10 children and how to make extra income to supplement my dad’s earnings. Looking back now, some of my happiest memories of my childhood are attached to those business trips to New York with my mother—watching her haggle with other business owners. 

I know that in school and in various jobs, I rarely fit into any particular circles.  I’m somewhat of a misfit. I can see now how that “fitting out” helps me to be more comfortable in doing some unconventional things as a business woman. My life plan in college and in graduate school was to be a counselor—to help hurting people. Never had I imagined I’d be in the line of running an accessories business. It was two years ago when I originally visited a church in Chicago to learn how to sew but ended up learning how to crochet because the sewing lady wasn’t there. I found crochet therapeutic, especially since my father had passed away a few months before. I developed my skills watching YouTube videos and discovered that my sisters would pay me to make accessories for them. I thought that if I could get my sisters with particular taste to buy my products, perhaps other women would be interested in purchasing them as well.

Kreyolicious: You’re an entrepreneur and you craft your own products. Do you think that makes things doubly challenging?

Yes—it can be challenging in some ways. It means that if that specific product I’ve made for a client isn’t purchased for whatever reason, I have to find some way to sell it to another client who may have a different taste in colors or shapes. But crafting my own products also means that each client is purchasing a product that takes into consideration their unique style. One size does not always fit all. I personally like finding jewelry at a boutique that can’t be found anywhere else. I want the luxury of it being a rarity.

Kreyolicious: Do you find that the fact that you have a Master’s Degree has helped you in terms of budgeting, time management, and business management overall?

My Masters degree is in Social Work. It helped me become more aware of systems and family dynamics, but I can’t say that I lean on it for budgeting and business management. I wish I had completed a Masters in Business Administration but hindsight is 20/20 vision. I guess when I’m requested to serve as a vendor at a church event or at a school, my social work hat comes on. I know how those systems can run and how certain social norms govern their culture. I keep this in mind when interacting with potential customers.

Kreyolicious: How do you measure growth?

Beyond looking at sales, I measure growth by the networks formed. I connect with the saying, “Your network is your net worth.” I want to know at the end of the day that I’ve connected with—provided a service to people with various international, economic and social backgrounds. It says to me that in my efforts to work my craft in excellence, people from all over the world stop to admire it and purchase what I produce. I’m also concerned with personal growth, if when faced with setbacks or obstacles, do I run towards faith or fear. Do I continue to respond in an unhealthy way with similar challenges? I need to know that I’m graduating from self doubts or the need to always be understood.

Kreyolicious: If you had someone over for tea, and that someone wanted to become an entrepreneur in the same industry as you, what would you tell her?

I’d tell her that she will need to be patient with herself and with sales. Seeds spend a lot of time in the ground before one can see the harvest they bring. Keep getting up when you get knocked down. You never know what new opportunities can come with a new day or the next hour. There may be 50 other people who can crochet but no one makes that specific product like you. Customers are drawn to authenticity. Your story is what distinguishes you from the crowd. Teach others what you learn in the process of doing business, so you’ll have internal space to learn more. Women’s wants and needs fluctuate, come to every meeting prepared to present a few options in terms of product. A request for yellow accessories can quickly change to blue the next day, so be flexible. Collaborate rather than compete with other women. Competition confines you to another’s standards. Collaboration frees you to maintain your own standards.

Kreyolicious: It’s been said that now as more than any other time, entrepreneurs are being made every day. Do you think that this pattern will continue in the next 4-5 years?

I hope it does continue in the next 4-5 years since our world is ever changing and new problems are developing. We need more people in the world who approach problems in creative ways (e.g. standing on the corner of the water tower building in Chicago dressed in interview clothes holding a sign that reads, “Looking for work. Got a Masters Degree.). We need more people who aren’t afraid to take risks. I think a lot of people are sick of the mold but are afraid to make changes, to explore something outside of their comfort zone because of possible ridicule and failure. I often meet people who are more financially secure than I am who think that owning a business is somehow outside of their reach. Sometimes the one who succeeds is the one who had enough courage to try something different or didn’t give up.

Kreyolicious: Where do you hope to take House of Saintcyr?

I’d like to see House of Saintcyr accessories on the runways in Paris, New York and in Africa or adorning an actress on the set of a major movie production. I want a portion of the business to be dedicated to coaching and mentoring girls and women internationally to start and maintain their own businesses. I hope to establish a legacy that sends the message to women everywhere that out of the ashes of life there is beauty—whether the ashes come in the form of the death of a parent, the loss of a career—or the loss of a valued relationship.

HOUSE OF SAINTCYR ON ETSY| HOUSE OF SAINTCYR ON INSTAGRAM| HOUSE OF SAINTCYR ON FACEBOOK

CLICK HERE to read interviews and other articles with fashion and beauty entrepreneurs.

Jewelry designer Martine Cadet has the cutest pieces in her Kaderique Collection. I first found out about her work through Les Ateliers Placide, founded by Valerie Placide, another jewelry designer. Kaderique’s creator is making a name for herself for her handcrafted pieces.

​Kreyolicious: ​Kaderique…it sure has a nice ring to it. How did that name originate?

My maiden name is Frederique and my married name is Cadet. I wanted something that incorporated the two, as I felt that they both play a huge part of who I am today. So, I combined the two to create Kaderique. I have the letter “K” to instead of the “C”—for fun really!

Kreyolicious. Were you into bracelets, rings and necklaces, and all sorts of jewelry growing up?

I actually was not. I did not even have dolls growing up. Was never into fashion and accessories until a decade ago.

Kreyolicious: Why is it important to you that your collection be handmade?

The authenticity. When I create a piece for a customer, I put in all my heart and love into it. I personally love wearing handmade products whenever I find them. When a product is handmade, it is special and unique. It is art—and I love art.

Kreyolicious: You tend to be spontaneous when choosing what colors and patterns to choose for your pieces, or do you pretty let it be up to your clients?

Both. Colors define one’s personality I believe. When I see a color that I love, I do not hesitate to work with it to create a piece. Simultaneously, I let my clients pick their own colors if they want because again I believe that they respond to the color—or colors—that best fit their styles and who they are. That way, they have more appreciation and are more creative in styling their pieces.

Kreyolicious: Did you formally study fashion?

I went to college and grad school and studied business. I have, however, been working in the fashion industry for over ten years. I am still in corporate America working for a major retail chain in the product development field. My current profesional career has enabled me to appreciate art, product, colors, branding, marketing and everything else that comes with retail.

Kreyolicious What would you say to someone who wants to go the same path?

I would say to remain focus—that not everyone will understand your energy. I would also say not to get discouraged when the ones you thought would be by you are nowhere to be seen. I would also add: remain consistent, ask questions, be willing to hold hands. Partnering with already successful people is the key.

Kreyolicious: It must be an exciting time for you. Living your dreams. What are some of the things we can expect from you next?

Yes. It is very exciting. There is a lot to expect in the near future. My mind is like a machine—it’s always working. Kaderique is my brand, and it will be expanding beyond the handmade jewelry in the near future. But for now, you can look forward to more awesome blog posts and unique handmade jewelry pieces.

KADERIQUE ON INSTAGRAM | KADERIQUE ON TWITTER | CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE BRAND’S WEBSITE| CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE FROM THE KADERIQUE COLLECTION

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