How competent are you when it comes to speaking Haitian Creole language? Bonjou from Lulu, a start-up founded by entrepreneur Lucy Dorlus, will have you speaking little touching phrases in the form of greeting cards! The Florida-based Haitian Creole greeting cards collection not only fills a gap in the market, but also has a philanthropic aspect. A portion of the profits from sales goes towards domestic violence and education causes. Now, let’s talk to the shepreneur about her venture!

Kreyolicious: What are your memories of growing up Haitian-American?
I grew up in a very religious home where the principles of hard work, education and pride in my culture were instilled in me at an early age. Church was at the center of my life growing up and it is where I became more aware of my cultural identity. I have fond memories of going to church, worshiping in Creole, participating in cultural activities, learning Haiti’s national anthem and about Haiti’s rich history. I grew up in a household where we spoke Creole, English was my second language. My parents made sure that my siblings and I had knowledge of our Haitian roots. We were encouraged to speak Creole. My mother also taught my sister and me how to prepare Haitian food.
Kreyolicious: What pushed you to launch this greeting card line?
I toyed with the idea of creating a Creole focused greeting card business for years and finally launched my business after a turning point in my life. Bonjou from Lulu creates a way for people to express their feelings through greetings cards written in their native language. The idea for BFL stems from the absence of greeting cards written in Creole. I felt that an entire culture was unable to express themselves for special life events like birthdays, communion, anniversaries, and graduations. Growing up, I loved giving greeting cards to my parents for different occasions. While the greeting cards I gave my father were easily read and understood, I had to translate the cards given to my mother because she did not read English well at the time. I remember seeing greeting cards in Spanish for Mother’s Day as a teenager and thought to myself, “It would be great to have Mother’s Day cards in Creole too.” Thus, the idea was born, but it would take me several years for me to launch my business. I believe timing is everything, and it’s my time to shine!

Kreyolicious: Who taught you how to write Creole?
Creole was my first language. Although, I speak and read it fluently, I learned how to write Creole as an adult. I used a Haitian Creole-to-English dictionary as a reference when creating my greeting cards and also receive assistance from my mother and best friend with grammar and punctuation.

Kreyolicious: What sort of response have you gotten thus far?
The response has been overwhelmingly receptive and positive. The general feedback I have received is that Bonjou from Lulu is a great concept and unique idea. I created a Mother’s day collection of greeting cards this year and so far sales have been satisfactory. I am looking forward to Haitian Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

This concludes PART I of the interview with the Haitian greeting cards entrepreneur Lucy Dorlus. Watch out for PART II.

CLICK HERE to visit Lucy Dorlus’ Bonjou from Lulu page, and to order her Haitian Creole greeting cards!

Florida-based entrepreneur Lucy Dorlus has launched Bonjou from Lulu, a Haitian Creole greetings card company. Like many other entrepreneurial ventures, it has its challenges. If you missed PART I of the interview, CLICK HERE.

Kreyolicious: How has becoming an entrepreneur changed you?
I am a single mother, full-time school counselor, a part-time adjunct professor and a business owner. Becoming an entrepreneur has taught me a lot about balance. Juggling all four jobs is not easy but I make it work. I have learned that dedication, passion and hard work is key to running a business. I do not have prior business experience other than working as a Vice President for a nonprofit organization for five years, but what I do have is people skills. I love people and believe that my people skills along with networking and marketing will be the driving force of my business. I am still learning how to run a successful business and I embrace all the trial and errors.

Kreyolicious: Any pearls of wisdom for those wanting to start their own businesses?
Go for it! Just do it! Trust the process and surround yourself around people who support you. I am fortunate to have an incredible support team. They make better and continue to encourage to work harder. Most importantly, be diligent, work hard and be patient, trust the process.

Kreyolicious: You been to Haiti?
Yes. I have been fortunate to travel to Haiti twice. I love it there, and I encourage everyone to visit Haiti to experience its rich culture and history.

Kreyolicious: And are your cards available for sale there?
My cards are not sold in Haiti, yet. However, I am working with a contact in Haiti and I hope to sell my cards there in the near future.
Kreyolicious: Do you think that your educational background has helped you?
Absolutely! I believe my educational background has helped me develop a strong work ethic which is important when staring any entrepreneurial endeavor. It has helped me understand the value of creating goals and working hard in order to successful.

Kreyolicious: Your brand is thriving. What’s next for it?
I want Bonjou from Lulu to expand beyond South Florida. I hope to see my cards in my local supermarkets and drug stores where there is a high population of Haitian Creole speakers.

CLICK HERE to visit Lucy Dorlus’ Bonjou from Lulu page, and to order her Haitian Creole greeting cards!

Boston-born and bred rapper and lyricist Theresa Sophia wants to bring your attention to a serious matter. While she is known for her rhymes and for being Boston’s Millennial Lauryn Hill, it’s not her latest single that’s in discussion here. It’s her new mental health documentary What’s On Your Mind? Giving Voice to Residents of Roxbury and Harlem. The 30-min self-produced, and self-directed production is her first leap into filmmaking, but judging on how articulate the work is, it hopefully won’t be her last.

Women in hip-hop aren’t supposed to show vulnerability, or so says popular wisdom. They’re supposed to be unbreakable walls, pillows to assuage their men’s troubles. Theresa Sophia has wiggled out of that mold, and wants to tell the whole world that being conscious of your mental health, and managing your own self-care…now that’s strength.

Kreyolicious: You mentioned how your own journey to mental health inspired this work?
Through getting a therapist and especially a life coach I got the opportunity to verbalize different things I had been thinking. I had the opportunity to really dig deep and find ways to articulate how I was feeling. This felt really good. It felt good to continuously challenge myself to find the root causes as to why I was experiencing anxiety attacks and be empowered with tools to help me cope outside of medication. Expressing yourself without fear or judgement just feels really good, and I know not everyone can afford a life coach or has someone in their life that they can be open with so I just felt maybe I could be that person to some.

Kreyolicious: Do you think that women in hip-hop feel compelled and pressured to portray this image of this unbreakable and unbothered woman?
Yes, and not just in hip-hop. I come from a long line of really strong women that have to hold it down for their spouses and their children. They have to support multiple people, emotionally and financially, work long hours and never really get time for themselves. I see a lot of women lose themselves caring for everyone else and it’s like they feel they always have to be good for everyone else. The narrative of black women is that they have to be strong, that’s in Hip Hop, Haiti, everywhere.

Kreyolicious: What obstacles did you run into as you prepared this doc?
I got kicked out of Dudley [train] station the last time I filmed there. It was funny because the officer said I was soliciting and I replied with “I am helping the people” then began explaining what I was doing in detail and I could see in his face he was taken aback at what I was doing and maybe how articulate I was, but he kicked me out anyway. [Laughter]

I also spoke to tons of amazing people that did not want to be on camera.

I’m nowhere near rich, so having a small budget and limited resources and prevented a few things, but I think we made it work.

Kreyolicious: People don’t want to hear that they’re depressed…they might resent being told that they need to see a therapist or counselor. How to best reach someone who needs help?
In the past I have told people they need to see a therapist in a malicious tone and no one wants that. I think approach is key. I think if it is in a calm manner, in a way where the person knows it comes from a place of love, thats’s the first step. Also prepare some first steps for them like getting a website for them to explore, or a number to call it makes things a little less overwhelming and allows people to do some of their own research at the same time.

Kreyolicious: Any books you’d recommend to those trying to find their way to mental health fitness?
Just finished Your Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Start Living an Awesome Life. So good!

Kreyolicious: Were you reticent at all about this project?
The project not really, but going out there and doing what I was doing at first yes. I remember telling my mom and her saying it was a good idea, but then being really nervous to tell my close friends so I didn’t even really tell many people until a week in when I posted a picture on Facebook.

Kreyolicious: What has the response been so far?
So far, people are loving it and connecting with it. We are making huge strides in mental health in general, and I think this documentary coincides with that movement.

Kreyolicious: What are your plans for this doc?
I want to seek out additional funding in the form of grants, maybe even enter some film festivals and see where things lead. Ideally, I would like to travel the country with my sign, train up some people and continue to hit the streets in different cities.

You can watch the video below! If you’d like to support Theresa Sophia and her work, contact her directly here!