Davidson Toussaint is succeeding where some thought he never would: in the Haiti tourism business. With Haiti Tourism Inc, the company he founded in 2011, Toussaint and his team of three (Yendy Cave, Marketing Director; Jacob Gay, Director of Public Relations; Mireille Toussaint, Vice President) pound the pavement daily, in search of new methods to market Haiti to the world.

And they don’t miss one arena. On social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, the Haiti Tourism Inc team is tireless, constantly sharing beautiful images of Haiti, and posting updates about positive developments regarding Haiti. On the company’s website, Haiti’s praises are sung endlessly. But Haiti Tourism Inc doesn’t just gush about Haiti online and call it a day; its members go out in the field to add substance to virtual claims. Haiti Tourism Inc regularly sponsors cultural activities and the company holds Haiti-themed excursions to help others discover the country’s underrated, and under-visited destinations. Haiti Tourism Inc team members attend trade fairs, conferences, and even pageants, to help spread the word about Haiti’s splendor.

Working from his office in Tampa, Florida, Davidson Toussaint wouldn’t want it any other way. He and his team plan to go at it for a long time, until he feels that Haiti has regained its place as a popular destination in the Caribbean. And even beyond that point.

Davidson Toussaint, Yendy Cave, Jacob Gay, and Mireille Toussaint gave us the low-down regarding the activities of Haiti Tourism Inc.

Q & A

How did Haiti Tourism Inc came to be conceptualized?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: First and foremost, thank you for giving me this great opportunity to talk about Haiti Tourism Inc, a company that I truly love. Now, the concept of highlighting Haiti, her beauty, and her potentials to the world took place in the Dominican Republic. While a student at PUCMM—Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra—I became tired of hearing people spewing negative stereotypes about Haiti and her image. I felt like I can do something to give Haiti a voice where I was at. I chose to be a catalyst of change. Indeed, while our dear country is termed ‘poor’ according to outsiders, it is rich in beauty and its potentials are limitless. With that mindset, I created a tour program for foreign students to expose the beauty and potentials of Haiti. Our first tour took place in 2007. It was a success. I named it Haitours. Eventually, I left the Dominican Republic for the United States. Seeing a greater need to expose more people to Haiti’s beauty and potentials, Haiti Tourism Inc came to existence with the vision of highlighting Haiti’s beauty and potentials to the world.

Was the response you got when you first presented the idea to others favorable?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: The idea was favorable, theoretically speaking. Let me elaborate further, starting any business or organization is not easy. The ideas might be good, or great to some, but the actual work of launching that business or organization can be overwhelming. Sometimes you have to go against the naysayers and the doubters, bypassing them and keep pushing on for in your mind you envision a better Haiti and you want people to buy in as easily. At the same time, you realize you can’t convince everyone, so you build relationships with people who believe in the vision. Gradually, people began to understand the vision. Haiti Tourism Inc is not just about bringing tourists to Haiti; it is so much more. Now, we have a platform to show the potentials of the country; to show its beauty; to share our cultures to the world. We are exposing Haiti to the world and Haiti Tourism Inc. is doing its part with all of our resources.

What motivated you to become a part of Haiti Tourism Inc?
YENDY CAVE: I am a very country-oriented person. I always wanted to work for my country, do something different, stand out, and really help by my actions, and not simply words. When Davidson introduced me to the project, it seemed as if God had sent this to me as a mission, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. I did not hesitate and barged in right away. It was for me an honor to be able to make a change for Haiti. The best part was that I would be doing something I love and something that would give me more experience in my domain. I am majoring in advertising and public relations with a minor in marketing. When Davidson approached me, it was to be the marketing director for Haiti Tourism Inc and I fit perfectly. I am so glad to be a part of this great organization and we are working hard to help developing tourism in Haiti

How did you become part of the Haiti Tourism Inc family?
JACOB GAY: I’m glad you refer to Haiti Tourism Inc as a family because I believe it is a family. I have known Davidson and his wife for some years. As my colleague, he approached me, explained me his vision and asked me if I would join this great endeavor. The timing was perfect for I had just obtained my Masters in Business Administration and was looking for such an organization to help with the skills I had just acquired. Then I was fortunate to meet Yendy through Davidson. I was elated to find out she was attending the same school I attended for my Bachelor of Arts as an undergrad. We continue to work as best as we can to promote the initiatives, goals and objectives of Haiti Tourism Inc while solidifying our commitment to see Haiti regain its moniker as the ‘Jewel of the Islands’.

In his book Stars Over Haiti, Anthony Hattenbach whose mother Muriel Shindler owned one of the biggest beach site resort s in Haiti in the 1970s in Haiti, recounts how each week three ships of tourists would land in Haiti, definitely a mass contrast to today. Do you think Haiti can regain this degree of popularity again with tourists?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: Yes, I think and believe so. I don’t want to sound as naïve with my answer. Haiti like many other countries in the Caribbean has the natural advantage to be a world touristic destination. The same great beaches and historical places people used to visit in the 1970s are still there. The hospitality and tourism industry is growing rapidly. It is a Billion dollars industry and I envision it reaching the stratosphere. With a company like Haiti Tourism Inc., we can set a new precedent with our approaches. Our strategies should be are as follow: Identify locations that are favorable for touristic destinations, develop them organically—highlighting things specific to that location, educate the people in key performance indicators, ensure, enforce, and promote security; lastly committed to the development and growth of the location by getting everyone involved. After all, there is not only just strength in unity but also prosperity, and a sense of togetherness.

David Toussaint(far left), the CEO of Haiti Tourism Inc, presides at a meeting with staff members and they are: Yendy Cave, Haiti Tourism Inc’s Director of Marketing (to his right); Haiti Tourism’s former Director of International Relations (sitting at the head of conference table) Haiti Tourism Inc Vice President Mireille Toussaint (in purple).

As Vice President of the company, what void do you think Haiti Tourism Inc fills?
MIREILLE TOUSSAINT: Haiti Tourism Inc envisions itself as the bridge between the world and Haiti. We seek to highlight the true potentials of Haiti through our positive social media platforms and in our website. This is the void that I believe we are filling: projecting Haiti in a new light unto the world.

What are some of the challenges that come with running a business like Haiti Tourism Inc?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: There are many challenges in running a business in general, but these challenges taught me valuable life experiences thus far. Besides the tedious relevancy associated with the cost of running a business, and logistics, I would like to go in detail with one of my greatest challenges. Haiti Tourism Inc. is not a sole proprietorship and we needed like-minded individuals to be part of the company. Some of them are friends, while others are acquaintances and business partners. The challenges with running an enterprise with friends posed many risks. Some decisions to be made are business decisions and not personal. Because of that, everyone in the team had to understand that this is a legitimate business and has dire consequences if the right business decision is not followed. We have had to sacrifice personal relationships but not to the detriment of our friendships. Our friendships will always be intact, but at the end of the day, if everyone contributes unequivocally—albeit personal feelings aside—we believe that Haiti Tourism Inc, will be a viable entity.

What words would you use to describe running your company?
MIREILLE TOUSSAINT: Fun. Delight. Passion. Involved. Guidance. Fruition. Reward. Happy.

How do you think Haiti looks to the rest of the world right now?
YENDY CAVE: To be honest, in general Haiti has never been seen in a great way from the rest of the world. We cannot blame them because the media usually only shows the bad that is happening to us. Although it is their job, it promotes us in an awful way, and people tend to be afraid to visit Haiti. They seem to have this horrible image and to them, Haiti is one of the most insecure and terrible places in the world. However, lately, many people have engaged themselves as to show the world the hidden side of Haiti. That is exactly our mission in Haiti Tourism Inc. Throughout, the help of the media and many Haitians who have engaged themselves to help us reach out to the world and show them what Haiti is in our eyes, the vision of Haiti has changed a lot in my opinion. It will take a while for people to be convinced that it is safe to come, and that Haiti is not only about poverty and insecurity. But I believe that with will and hard work, we will get there.

How are people responding to the efforts of your team? In Haiti, for example—as well as elsewhere?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: The responses have been positive for the most part, but we also have encountered doubters who didn’t believe that what we were and are doing is benefiting Haiti as a whole. Nonetheless, we are been encouraged to continue with the many positive responses we’ve received in Haiti, and elsewhere. We have had the opportunity to visit different countries—from different states in the USA to Japan. We are truly humbled and grateful from the support of people around the world. These people are sharing, liking, and twitting our activities in the social networks. The reception has been incredible. We reached more than 8 million people in more than 90 countries around the world. It is worth to mention that we wouldn’t be where we are without tireless work from our great team. I’m grateful to be able to work with such a diverse of great young Haitian talents.

What public relations milestone have you experienced since coming on board as PR?
JACOB GAY: Seeing people’s perceptions and viewpoints about Haiti’s changing positively is truly a gem. I take great comfort knowing that my endeavors on behalf of Haiti Tourism inc is shaping people’s perceptions. Also, seeing the medias and other entities seek out our company for a reference, or for a story about Haiti is gratifying to the works that we are doing. Nevertheless, we are not done because this team believes in the vision that our CEO established since our foundation.

Companies like Haiti Tourism Inc are doing a great deal in changing how Haiti is viewed in the international community. What more do you think can be done to help your mission along?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: Thank you for noticing, as well as the compliment. Sincerely, we couldn’t have accomplished these without your ardent support. Our mission is ingrained in our vision to be the purveyor of everything good coming out of Haiti. We make it our duty by choice to project Haiti in a positive fashion. We choose to educate the world about the beauty and potentials of our country, Haiti, through the positive things we align ourselves with. However, there are much more to be done. We need a coalition of people to continue to trot this movement forward. We need everyone to highlight Haiti for her beauty and her potentials. We are aware that Haiti is a work in progress, a country in transition. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to continue educate the world about the potentials that I see and advocate for dearly.

What’s an ordinary day like for the Haiti Tourism Inc team?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: [Laughter] There’s no such thing as an ordinary day for our team. Kidding aside, we plan our work and we work the plan. This company is dear to our hearts, it is a privilege to do something we like and enjoy. We have a dedicated team who know their crafts and are always busy at creating ideas to put us at the forefront of highlighting Haiti’s potentials and beauty.

Anything about your past background that made starting Haiti Tourism Inc especially easier?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: Growing up as a Boy Scout has allowed me to visit many cities and departments in Haiti. As a result, I developed a keen interest in discovering my country. Ultimately, the experiences I’ve had seeing the many beautiful places in Haiti made it easier for me to start Haiti Tourism Inc. I have seen the many picturesque locations throughout and I want to impress these same experiences on others; natural visuals that I know people will cherish forever. This is why I advocate passionately about not only to make Haiti part of your travel destinations but to also invest in the country’s development logistically, financially, and culturally.

As the person in charge of PR for Haiti Tourism Inc, what are your primary objectives?
JACOB GAY: With this being a young company, sometimes we find ourselves doing many tasks across the board. But, my primary objective is to help carve out a professional image of our company. I do this by constantly writing, reviewing, and editing memos, and other writings the company put out to the public. I also serve as a sound board for ideas that showcase our work to the public.

What advice would you give to others who are looking to start a career in hospitality, travel and tourism based on what you have learned in your own journey?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: You have to pursue your heart’s passion. It is so much easier to do something when your heart is in it. Moreover, you will need to sacrifice certain things in order to see your dream realized. Not all of us studied in the field of hospitality, travel, and tourism, so you will need to devote yourself to learn about it and learn from others. There are people out there who have a plethora of knowledge and expertise on these fields of study. You just have to learn and surround yourself with not only these people but also others who share in your vision and commitment.

In five years, where do you see Haiti Tourism Inc heading as a company?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: Initially, we started as a tour operator that not only focused on excursions, but in highlighting the potentials of Haiti through our diverse activities. These activities continue in operating our excursions but we have evolved into more of an entity that project the beauty of our dear country with all of our resources to the world. We have participated in events from Haiti, Miami to Japan, and elsewhere. These many activities fall under the umbrella in which we want to operate. We have partnered with individuals, other companies, and organizations to promote Haiti to the fullest. So in five years, continue to see us extend our excursion packages to be more inclusive, but also expect us to play a central role in working together with like-minded people or companies that are committed in seeing Haiti reclaim its moniker as the ‘Jewel of the islands’.

Why do you think that Haiti receives bad press for occurrences that are happening in other parts of the world that are themselves top tourist destinations?
JACOB GAY: It is all about perception and pre-conceived notions of and about Haiti. For so long all we’ve read has been negative news about our country. This is why a company like Haiti Tourism is effective in directing the narratives. No longer are people solely looking at the media for their narratives. We take it upon ourselves to open people’s eyes about what Haiti is through our social networks, our websites and events. We remain relentless in promoting the positive sides of Haiti, no matter what. In the end, we know we can’t control pre-conceived notions and stereotypes, but we choose to highlight Haiti as best as possible. After all, it is our dear country.

What’s the best thing about being an entrepreneur?
DAVIDSON TOUSSAINT: There are so many valuable things about being an entrepreneur. For me, the idea of using one’s creative ability to start a legacy is thrilling and inspiring. Along the way, you have the opportunities to meet pioneers, connect with great individuals, as well as overcoming challenges. Knowing that what I do and love can influence a community, a country, and the world is what motivates me to move forward on a daily basis. Lastly, thank you again for giving me this platform to share myself with your audience all over the world. I truly appreciate you. Have a blessed day.

Any other thoughts?
MIREILLE TOUSSAINT: I am just elated to have had this platform to share my thoughts with the world. I thank you again for this opportunity. I have high hope for our dear country and I truly believe in her potentials. My work will not be done until I see Haiti reclaim her moniker as the ‘Jewel of the Caribbean’.

YENDY CAVE: If I were to give any thoughts, it would be firstly to everyone out there, to tell them that Haiti IS beautiful, Haiti IS special, and they can only discover it by giving it a try and i can promise, they will not be disappointed. My other message would be for my fellow Haitians. Help promote Haiti as much as you can, because each word and each action is necessary to help the country move forward. Promoting Haiti’s beauty, talking about its magnificent monuments, telling the world how amazing this place is to you, can and will make a difference. Be proud and show it.

Haiti-based radio host and multimedia journalist Carel Pedre is altering the media landscape in Haiti.

Chokarella, Pedre’s flagship property, has grown into one of Haiti’s most recognized and most-esteemed entertainment platforms. The Chokarella brand launched as a morning radio show, then grew into a phenomenon among the Haitian-American Diaspora. Some of it had to do with Pedre’s timing.

Pedre, who has clarified in interviews that Chokarella existed prior to the 2010 earthquake, created a show that first resonated with Haitians in Haiti. In particular, with Haitian-Americans in the United States, and others living abroad—who newly shook by the earthquake in Haiti in the early 2010s—were looking for ways to establish, reconnect and rekindle their ties to Haiti. And here was Pedre with a morning show that appealed to their Haitian-American sensibilities while also stroking the newly-found love or reignited love for all things Haiti, and his tech-loving ways equally appealed to them. And here was Pedre who was their audio window to Haiti and everything that was happening in it.

Pedre has connected with audiences living outside of Haiti in a way that many, who also have an online presence, didn’t. Pedre also used his tech-savvy to launch an app for the show that made his brand even more distinct from his counterparts. And he kept on coming up with content that could engage his base listeners in Haiti, while also catching the interest of the Anglophone-oriented Haitian-American community.

And then there’s the matter of personal branding. His smiling face is everywhere. It’s almost as memorable as his vision for Haiti’s media. But then again, as any branding evangelist will tell you, a brand with a face will always be championed more than a simple logo. Pedre knows that. He’s not one to sit behind the microphone, close up his equipment when his interviews conclude, and call it a day. One minute he’s in Seoul, Korea at a journalism development conference, the next he’s conducting a “takeover” in Miami during Haitian Flag Week, and the next he’s in Haiti directing his crew, and covering some event in Petionville or Cap Haitien. Next thing you know, he’s in Montreal, Canada for the Haitian culture extravaganza show Haiti en Folie.

Pedre won’t rest. A tireless social media strategist, he can be seen posting on his social media platforms through the wee hours of the morning. The multimedia czar was honored this past October by the Creole Image Honors, a cultural organization, that is fittingly enough based in New York, one of the undisputed cocoons of the Haitian Diaspora. That same city honored him in June, this time by Fleur de Vie, a non-profit launched by designer Dayane Damier.

This concludes PART I of the article about multimedia journalist Carel Pedre. CLICK HERE to view videos on the Chokarella platform.

This has been another episode of STRAIGHT OUTTA HAITI in which your fave chick Kreyolicious discusses talents and people emerging out of Haiti, and assorted things. Today’s episode centered on multimedia journalist Carel Pedre. But, there are others…ahem…

CLICK HERE to check out other episodes!

Carel Pedre’s work ethic pushes him to create original content seemingly around the clock. His Chokarella radio show has morphed into its own brand, the same way its creator has grown into a separate brand. Pedre introduced a show called “Lunch Break”, in which he has lunch in a posh restaurant in Haiti with a local celebrity. “Lunch Break” is a chance for the radio king to explore possibilities beyond radio, while giving people of Haitian descent living abroad an introspective view of life in Haiti.

Carel Pedre with actress Vicky Jeudy. Photo Credit: Dave

The past and future of media is video, it’s been said. To that end, Pedre has amassed a collection of content on the Youtube platform, and conducts Facebook Live streamings that get thousands real-time viewers—not to mention later time watchers. He gets ideas for content series the way real estate developers get ideas for new gated communities. “Personality of the Week”, one of the segments he’s introduced on that platform, explore the life and work of Haiti’s cultural icons. Done in Haitian Creole, these egments introduce viewers to vibrant personalities that have made considerable impact on Haiti’s cultural landscape.

Like the Chokarella entertainment news segments, they’re a break for those who could care less about political talk and disheartening news bulletins, and would rather see the lighter side of Haiti. The fact that Haitian Creole is the language of choice in these videos make them appealing to those who have no knowledge or limited fluency in French, Haiti’s other official language. Those in other French Caribbean countries, can also relate to Chokarella’s content, though there are major variations in the other islands’ Creole and Haitian Creole.

One of the most striking aspect of Carel Pedre’s content is his penchant to explore and give a platform to entertainment industries like stage theater that are not as heralded as other forms of entertainment, as well as health activism, such as a cancer awareness march he and his crew covered.

Pedre has launched a personal vlog to chronicle his life and career and give his viewers a more in-depth look about his work. The Port-de-Paix born media professional is also putting the finishing touches on what is bound to be Haiti’s first major podcast network. Pedre had previously begun a successful experimentation with the podcasting platform, first with “De Tout de Rien” (Everything and Nothing), a podcast with DJK9, a Haiti-based disc jockey. He’s since added Krik? Krak? hosted by Tina, that celebrates and seeks to revive Haiti’s storytelling tradition, as well as Woy podcast, in collaboration with singer-activist-media mogul Miss Talie, a social talk podcast that is parts Black Girls Pod, Black Girls Nerds, and even a bit of American Serial.

Pedre is the baseball player who goes to the field with multiple bats. He wants to hit all the bases. He breathes content marketing, drinks video strategy, and lives personal branding.

| CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHOKARELLA | CLICK HERE TO VISIT CHOKARELLA ON YOUTUBE

Did you miss the first part of this article? CLICK HERE to read it!

This has been another episode of STRAIGHT OUTTA HAITI in which your fave chick Kreyolicious discusses talents and people emerging out of Haiti, and assorted things.

CLICK HERE to check out other episodes!

Joyce Fuerza has lived in four different countries, so it’s barely a surprise that she’s fluent in five different languages and is learning a sixth. What’s surprising is that in spite of her overwhelming success, she still comes across as apprpoachable. Fuerza is one of the most popular voices on Canadian television. Her show “The Joyce Fuerza Show” offers viewers entrepreneurship and personal development guidance. She regularly interviews small business owners and entrepreneurs from all over Canada. Business is a passion for the media personality, and this shows through her launch of her very own production company Joyce Fuerza Productions.

K. St. Fort: Joyce Fuerza, I think it’s interesting that your last name is Fuerza since it means strength in Spanish.

Thank you so much for inviting me to do this interview. I am really humbled and delighted to be able to share a bit about myself, my projects, and my journey with you and your readers. Hopefully I can inspire others to focus on their passion and motivate them to work hard towards achieving their objectives. This is definitely not the first time I have been asked to comment about my name. Fuerza is actually my middle name—given to me by my lovely mother. I use my first name and my middle name—Joyce Fuerza—as my brand.

K. St. Fort: So you know Kreyol, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and you’re learning Mandarin. How cool.
Thank you! Living and studying abroad in four different countries has been one of the most important experiences of my life and I am so grateful for that. It definitely widened my horizons and got me to be more involved in other cultures. That also explains why I speak five languages. I encourage anyone to learn an additional language, it’s incredible how much it will change your life!

Above: Interviewing a guest on The Joyce Fuerza show, her motivational and personal development-focused talk show.

K. St. Fort: Did you feel pretty growing up?

I have always believed that being pretty comes from the inside first. I have always felt I had a beautiful personality which in turn reflects on the outside. Growing up I don’t remember ever being obsessed about beauty, and today, I’m still not. It’s so easy for people, especially young people today, to get the wrong picture about what is labeled as ‘beautiful’ or ‘pretty’ with what they are constantly seeing on TV, or with the use of Photoshop on pictures in magazines etc… What’s important is that you feel good in your own skin. Charm and kindness last way longer than beauty. Beauty will eventually fade away.

K. St. Fort: Every day practically you have a camera aiming at your face. Does that ever make you self-conscious?
No matter what you do in life, people will form opinions about you. So, if you are afraid of being judged, you will never accomplish anything in life. I am a person who believes in taking initiatives in order to make it in this world, so it is important to learn to be comfortable with not caring so much about what other people think about you and not let other people’s judgments stop you from following your dreams. Otherwise, you will never do anything great in your life. I enjoy having a camera on me as long as it’s helping me share what I learn everyday with others.

K. St. Fort: Do you have a beauty and fitness regimen?
I don’t follow any particular diet, but I do eat healthy. I prefer home cooked meals; I watch a lot of cooking shows to try new recipes. As for fitness nothing drastic either, I usually run (either outdoors or on the treadmill) and I enjoy dancing especially Salsa.

K. St. Fort: What would you say to other young women who would like to make a career in television broadcasting?
I would tell them first to make sure they get an education. Knowledge is something that nobody can take away from you. Then, go out there and network, volunteer or do internships with established organizations so you can learn more about the industry, to acquire more skill set and experience. Always be confident.

K. St. Fort: You have your own production company Joyce Fuerza Productions, Inc. What’s a Monday like running this company?
I work with a very dynamic team. We share the same passion and vision which makes our working environment not even feel like we are working, but more like sharing ideas and having fun while being productive. My typical Monday is much more than running my production company. I am also involved as the head coordinator in the organization of two major film festivals in Canada: the Toronto Black Film Festival and the Montreal International Black Film Festival. So, I go from coordinating special events, to speaking at different TV and radio outlets, going to team meetings and press conferences, welcoming celebrities coming from different parts of the world, doing red carpet interviews, among other things.

K. St. Fort: Any book or books that you’d like to recommend to me and my readers in terms of how it helped you grow as a person?
I am very business-oriented, so I read a lot of leadership and entrepreneurship books. One book I would highly suggest is The Nine Step Plan for Success by New York Times bestselling author Stedman Graham whom I had the pleasure to personally meet. If you can also attend one of Stedman’s business conferences, then it’s even better. You will learn a great deal of tips on how to grow and be more successful in your life.

[Photo Credit: All photos furnished by subject.]

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2 OF THIS INTERVIEW. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH BY CLICKING THIS LINK.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT JOYCE FUERZA’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL | JOYCE FUERZA’S WEBSITE | JOYCE FUERZA ON TWITTER | JOYCE FUERZA ON INSTAGRAM

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OTHER FIGURES IN THE HAITIAN-CANADIAN COMMUNITY

Concordia University graduate Joyce Fuerza is the host of her own self-titled talk show in Canada. The media mogul and owner of Joyce Fuerza Productions uses her know-how as an entrepreneur to motivate viewers in Canada to pursue their dreams. The motivational aspect of her show has earned the Haitian-Canadian comparisons to the States-side mogul-of-all-moguls Oprah Winfrey.

Kreyolicious: You went to Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. If you had to do things over, would you have skipped college and just gone right into a position in broadcasting?
Education has always been a top priority for me and one of our key values growing up in my family. Going to university has been an incredible experience and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Aside from the knowledge I got, I was able to make amazing connections. I got exposed to a rich cultural and social environment. University definitely allowed me to mature and be more equipped to tackle everything I’m doing today. However, you should never limit your education with only what you can learn in school. You have to constantly be networking, volunteering or do internships with established organizations so you can learn more about the industry you are interested in…And keep learning all your life through books, seminars, workshops, conferences and more.

What would you like to say to somebody out there whose going to be reading this interview…who’s tried everything with their personal and professional lives, and nothing seems to work. What would you say to encourage that individual?
Success is not something that happens overnight. You have to constantly take tons of action with the right attitude and surround yourself with positive and likeminded people who will lift you higher and contribute to your success. In today’s world where technology is constantly changing, where there are so much networking opportunities, there is no such thing as, “I’ve tried everything.” Learn as much as possible about yourself, about what you want to accomplish, about what you like or are passionate about. Even though it is not always easy to determine at first what is it you are really meant to do, you need to get involved and engage in activities that are of interest to you and by engaging you will certainly discover your true potentials and have a clearer sense of what direction to aim towards. A lot of doors will close for you on the road to success, and that is exactly when you should get even more fired up to knock at other doors and go after your goals. As Oprah likes to say it: Failure is the Universe trying to shift you into another direction. So wake up, dust yourself up, and try again—or try something new.

Kreyolicious: Are you involved with any philanthropic causes?
Every year, I volunteer with different organization. I’m involved in causes such as feeding the homeless. I am also involved at the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting education in the arts as well as to promoting cinema, art and culture in Canada and abroad. At the Foundation, we leverage the power of the arts in order to break isolation and foster social change. One of the most amazing festivals we also do is the Québec Film Festival in Haiti which is completely free for everyone. This allows exchange and cultural sharing between Québec and Haiti.

Kreyolicious: How do you stay connected to Haitian culture? Do you go to Haiti often?
I am very involved in the Haitian community and support as much Haitian initiatives as I can. I am also part of the organizing team of the festival Haiti en Folie in Montreal every summer. It was created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and it definitely gives me a sense of pride in supporting Haiti and having others discover my country’s culture. The festival offers the very best of Haitian culture by showcasing over a hundred artists. It attracts thousands of people each year. Because of all my current projects, I don’t get to go to Haiti as often as I would like to, but I definitely stay connected to my roots.

Above: Joyce interviewing a guest on her talk show.

Kreyolicious: Are your parents proud of you? How have they shown that?
I am very blessed to have parents and siblings who have always been the first people to praise me and encourage me to reach all my milestones in life. I am very fortunate and grateful to have their support in everything I do. But don’t get me wrong…they are also my toughest critics. You also need to have constructive criticism in order to get better.

As a media professional and entrepreneur, you constantly have to get hip to the latest technology and developments. In order to grow, you have to be on this perpetual road of applying new things. What should we expect from you next?
I am currently working on many projects having to do with Fashion, TV, including being a jury member for a beauty contest happening in Canada this fall, and other projects from my production company Joyce Fuerza Productions, Inc., I also have many speaking engagements, I get invited to be on several panels, and to host different events. I am also focusing on my career as an actress. I can’t reveal too much for now, but make sure to stay connected by following me on social media and by signing up for my free newsletters where I give lots of tips on my website at joycefuerza.com.

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Loic Jasmin partnered up with three other like-minded twenty-something entrepreneurs to launch Jaco Transfer. Less than five years old, Jaco Transfer is creating lots and lots of buzz on the Haiti remittance market, and getting plenty of business.

The company’s take is to reach a younger demographic, apply nontraditional and grassroots marketing methods. One key strategy has been to offer food and non-food items, including hygiene products and electronics such as mobile phones as options. Jaco Transfer also dabbles with the fruits and vegetables market as a way to support Haiti’s farms and farmers, while also encouraging members of the population receiving these food remittances to be nutritionally-minded. Mindful of the reconstruction that has been taking place in Haiti since the earthquake hit the island in the early 2010s, and aware of the trend of Haiti born and non-Haiti-born members of the Dyaspora to return to and resettle in Haiti, Jaco Tranfer also offers construction materials among its product offerings.

For Jaco Tranfer CEO, the company has been one long life education course. Here he is sharing the lessons that the company’s CEO has learned across his entrepreneurship journey.

Kreyolicious: Entrepreneurship is a learning experience…full of lessons. If you were to round down these lessons to just five…tough lessons or otherwise…what would you say your journey so far as a businessman taught you?

Jaco Transfer: More often than not, your team is what makes or breaks your company. Having both founded companies with and without Co-Founders, I can say that you’re much more likely to succeed when you have a great team that works with you. I’m lucky to have what I think are some of the best and brightest to work with at Jaco. We fight against the largest, strongest corporations in the country every single day and are able to hold our ground thanks to our amazing team. My co-founders Stefan and Tariq are amazing guys both in and out of the office and work hard every day to make us reach our goals. You have to choose your team wisely! That’s my number one lesson learned.

Kreyolicious: Two…
Jaco Transfer: Don’t be afraid to share. As a first-time founder, it’s often excruciating to share equity. You want to keep 100% of the pie to yourself. I learned that business doesn’t work that way. You shouldn’t be afraid to give equity to investors, partners and employees who you think are valuable to your company! It’s better to own 10% of something amazing than 100% of nothing at all.

Kreyolicious: Three…
Jaco Transfer: Expect anything worthwhile to take a long time. One of my favorite quotes is: “It takes three years to blow up overnight”. I don’t know who originally said it, but I think it’s a fundamental truth in business and in life. You often hear success stories about overnight millionaires and things of that sort. Recently, there was even an article on one of my friends in Montreal who reached half a million in sales within 5 weeks of starting a business. What they didn’t say was that it was his seventh or eight business venture! So yeah, big things take time.

Above: Jasmin overseeing the training of a Jaco Transfer representative at the startup’s offices in Port-au-Prince.

Kreyolicious: Four…
Jaco Transfer: Don’t listen to people who say you can’t do it. Most of them haven’t tried. Few of them tried and failed, but you very well might succeed!

Kreyolicious: Five….
Jaco Transfer: Making money shouldn’t be your only goal, [but] don’t tell your investors. I think lots of people start off in business with only one goal: to make as much money as possible as fast as possible. I learned that money is just one of the things a business makes. Businesses can make a difference in the lives of the people they serve, of the community in which they operate and of their employees. They can give you a platform to push your ideas and express your creativity. Make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing, not just the profits it could bring!

This concludes PART III of the interview with Mr. Jasmin of Jaco Transfer. Be sure to CHECK OUT PART I and PART II of the Kreyolicious interview with him. Meanwhile, don’t keep your those relatives in Haiti waiting for that diri, pwa and somon!

CLICK HERE to visit the Jaco Transfer website! Use kreyolicious as your promocode and you will get 10% off your order. Hurry!