Haiti tourism company Belle Vue Tours is out to promote Haiti…its cuisine, its beaches, but in particular its history. The company’s founders created what they term the Christophienne Tour—which is a six-days-five nights excursions series centered around the life of Grenada-born Henri Christophe, who became king of Haiti in 1811. According to historical accounts, Henri made the former Cap Francais (now Cap Haitien) the capital of his kingdom, and this is where Belle Vue Tours brings its tourism clients. For four to five hours, Haiti tourists are escorted around Cap Haitien, and the tour includes stops at the National History Park, Citadel Henry (also called Citadel Laferriere), and the San Souci Palace, Henri Christophe’s once sprawling palace. BV Tours clients interested in historical artifacts also view 18th century artillery from France, England, Spain, and Italy purchased by the king in case a European power approached the island.

Money from 19th Century Haiti….

Here are some chains and shackles.

They are to be found at Norman’s Place in Labadie.

And this is a church…Cathedrale Immaculee Concepcion is its name.

According to the Belle Vue Tours staff, it was first erected in 1670 and is considered one of Haiti’s oldest churches.

Of course one can only take so much history before one gets hungry!

Belle Vue Tours treats clients to some scrumptious cuisine.

While Cap Haitien is at the center of Belle Vue Tours’ sites, other under represented cities in Haiti also get some deserved attention.

According to the historian Nicolas Leger, the city of Hinche was the center of a great many rebellions during the U.S. Occupation of Haiti in the 1910s.

Belle Vue Tours educates its clients about Jacmel, the city where many South American revolutionaries sought aide during the early 1810s.

Below is an interesteing view of King Henri Christophe’s Citadel…

…from Site Fortifie de Ramiers.

CLICK HERE FOR BELLE VUE TOURS’ INSTAGRAM PAGE | BELLE VUE TOURS TWITTER PAGE| FACEBOOK

When Marie-France Merisier decided to launch an online store featuring hand-crafted jewelry and other imported goods from Haiti, the name she decided on was pretty much a no-brainer…KADO, the Creole word for “gift”. It only seemed appropriate. She wanted to share the gifts of Haiti’s artistic community with the world. And she was certain that she would find buyers among the international community who were seeking unique gifts to purchase. The entrepreneur’s principle in running KADO borders on simplistic too. She sets short and long-term goals for the venture. Sometimes she puts her drawing skills to work, sketching the pieces she’s seeking and making illustration-outlines of materials.

In addition to being the head-creative-in-charge at KADO, Merisier runs founder of Kélé Arts Design, a wearable art collection—featuring original art work by her.

I set short-term and long-term goals. I make sketches of the pieces I seek to create outlining materials needed.

Kreyolicious: Tell us more about yourself.

I am a proud marabou [brown-skinned girl] and folklore dancer, born and raised in Port-au-Prince, parents from Petit-Trou-De-Nippes and Port-Salut. I moved to the USA at 15 years old and currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts. I grew up in a large family that instilled art in me and exposed me to all artsy things. My uncle Joseph Ernst Descardes was a painter, he is the inspiration behind Kélé Arts Designs. My maternal grand-parents were phenomenal tailors. My aunts were culinary geniuses. My mother wore the boldest colors and accessories ever. My father was very crafty and handy. I am very handy today because of him.

In all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…I am the product of all that my amazing family exposed me to at a young age.

Kreyolicious: Indeed…When did you get your artistic vision for KADO?

You can take the girl out of the island but you can’t take the island out of the girl…A short trip to Haiti after the earthquake inspired the budding idea. While it was a devastating time art was comforting to me. I literally wanted to help every artist by forging lasting relationships to help them support their family and send their kids to school. After my trip, I sought after creating a platform where I can share this new vision of sharing “Haiti’s gift of art that keeps on giving.” In that sentiment KADO by Marie-France was born.

KADO brings the island to you in a collection that’s revolutionary, combining pieces that are unconventional, bold and colorful for women that life is a runway.

Kreyolicious: When you were starting with this, what sort of things that you had to deal with—in terms of getting things off the ground, and such?

You will always come across skepticism, I’ve been told, “I can do the same, [if] I[were] go to Haiti too”. But the thing is, yes many of us go to Haiti—but how many are doing what I am passionate about? Not many…I believe in baby steps. I am in this for the long-haul to make a difference and give back to my country through art!

Kreyolicious: When you are selecting pieces to include, what do you usually look for?

I look for pieces that are imperfect because the variation of each natural material is where its true beauty lies, I bring them to life with added pieces that one would not imagine of putting together but I see them as deconstructive beauty to statement pieces.

Kreyolicious: Thus far, what sort of feedback have you gotten from the artisans?

The feedback has been great. I look forward to working and forging more lasting relationship with artisans to carry what we sought to do, support work development and education.

Kreyolicious: And from the buyers?

I am so humbled by the response thus far, the pieces are a conversation starter. Every buyer leaves with a story behind their piece and an appreciation for hand-made.

Kreyolicious: Where you do hope to take this initiative?

I hope to have my own atelier in Haiti. Employ many artisans to expand my brands: KADO by Marie-France and Kélé Arts Designs. I hope to make handbags and men’s jewelry. I also look forward to Made in Haiti Kélé garments for men and women and luscious pillows all inspired by my uncle’s legacy of art, Joseph Ernst Descardes.

Kreyolicious: Any counsel you’d like to give to other entrepreneurs who’d like to do something similar?

What was a dream is now a reality. I would say: if you can think it, you can imagine it, and if you can imagine it; it is definitively possible. I am also a strong believer of shared knowledge. Pass it on, and it will come back to you.

Shop from the KADO store on Etsy | Follow KADO on Twitter |

Tech queen Sandra Pierre is the entrepreneur behind the website Haitian Businesses/Haitian-Businesses.com. In less than two years, she’s amassed over 35,000 followers on Instagram alone, and has about 5,000 combined followers on Twitter and Facebook.

While her entire tech movement is built around promoting and connecting businesses, it isn’t all corporate with her. She doesn’t neglect the cultural aspects of her roots and never ceases to share the creative aspects of the businesses she promotes. Whether attending a Haitian cultural event, or hobnobbing with Haitian entrepreneurs at social and business events, the founder of Haitian-Businesses never loses sight of the social aspect of her business.

K. St. Fort: Tell us about yourself, and how you came to be interested in tech.
I am a native of Cap-Haitien, Haiti. I accompanied my family in 1996 to the United States at a young age. Upon my arrival in the States, I felt the need to stay connected with her homeland…Haiti. However, I immediately shifted my focus on my education. Though faced with challenges of an unfamiliar environment and new culture, I continued with the pursuit of my dreams by completing high school and later studied Business Administration at Lynn University. My daily motivation are embedded in the sacrifices by hardworking parents who worked tirelessly for me to have a better future. The motivation didn’t come without the strength which I found in God and those whom I cherish. During high school, I obtained a job with one of the country’s leading electronics retailer. After many years as an employee there, it became second nature to me to spark an interest in the forever evolving world of technology.

Above: The entrepreneur at an event sponsored by the many Haitian businesses she supports daily.

K. St. Fort: How did you come up with the concept for Haitian-Businesses?
As I moved on in life, the need to serve my community was burning up in me. The deep connection I felt with Haiti’s culture and its people led me to what I am doing today. I felt a strong obligation to remain attached to the Haitian culture–even more so while leaving outside of the country. As a professional, I spent many years serving in local government. I grew tired of hearing the comment, “The Haitian community does not support our own businesses”. In late 2013, after noticing a lack of connectivity between Haitian-owned businesses professionals in the Haitian community, I started a movement to promote Haitian-owned businesses in March 2014. The connection made with businesses and potential clients through my page has proven that if we stay connected and expose each other, the myth that we do not support each other’s businesses will be laid to rest. I feel like I am still in the beginning stages of this monumental movement. I nonetheless believe in [it due to] the positivity I’ve seen so far. Today Haitian-Businesses.com is extensively popular in the Haitian Community as a bridge to connect, to promote and to support Haitian businesses. The work has just began for me, and I am ready to continue the effort to benefit the Haitian community around the world.

Above: With Jerry Tardieu, the Haitian entrepreneur behind Royal Oasis, one of Haiti’s five-star hotels.

K. St. Fort: Do you run across some challenges in operating your website?
When tackling something new like I am with Haitian Businesses, LLC, obstacles are likely to happen. It is much more than operating a website. The website is one of the platforms used to showcase the movement. As I face obstacles—such as stepping out and doing something that has never been done before by an individual…through the process, it becomes a learning experience for me. I accept the challenges and face them with an open [mind] because they help me grow—not only as a person—but as a business woman as well.

K. St. Fort: When did you realize that the Haitian Businesses brand was catching on?
Six months into the movement a major hotel in Port-au-Prince Haiti emailed me for help and I was in shock. The hotel owner reached out personally since he needed a shipping company to transport a few large items from the Atlanta to Haiti. I was able to refer him to a shipping company for assistance. Since then, I’ve been running a referral program with the businesses listed on the Haitian Businesses Directory. I constantly receive requests [from] potential clients or other business owners looking for another service. [These are the] moments that mark me. It was when I realized my work was having a positive impact on the community.

Above: Sandra of Haitian Businesses, LLC honored with a plaque for her work by Joanne Milfort Board member of the Haitian American Chamber of Florida and Miami Consul Guy Francois Jr.

K. St. Fort: What would you say to someone who wants to start a website that targets the Haitian-American community?
We have a large majority of our community who still does not show an interest in technology. As for me who’s in the business marketing field, getting involved and consistently expanding my knowledge is quite beneficial. There are two things that I would definitely suggest for anyone with interest of setting up a movement, organization or website in support of the Haitian community. My first suggestion would be to stay in touch with the community in order to be familiar with their needs. Secondly, to remain well-informed, knowledgeable of the content needed to be resourceful to the community.

K. St. Fort: What gives you the biggest satisfaction as the owner of Haitian Businesses?
I am absolutely thrilled to have feedback from those who have used my services or who those who simply appreciate the message behind the movement. I often receive testimonial notes via email or private messages which are a great source of motivation. To me, it’s tangible proof of the work being done and an inspiration to keep moving forward. It is also satisfying to know when we as a community stands together to support each other or specifically their business, we help support a dream. When we support a Haitian owned business we strengthen our community, our people and ultimately our beloved Haiti Cherie.

K. St. Fort: What’s next for your brand?
My main goal since I initiated this movement has been to connect, promote and support Haitian businesses. In the past two years, I have hosted networking events, created social media campaigns, promotional ads and referral programs. All of these are done to give the businesses more exposure. I’m eager to continuously use my platform and my voice to assist my community. I am currently working on a few projects that will extend the mission of Haitian businesses throughout the community. Each day, I anticipate [making] a difference in my community and being a positive voice for my people.

[Photo Credit: Main photo, Roe Michel; All others furnished by the subject.]

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE HAITIAN BUSINESSES WEBSITE AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SANDRA’S WORK AND JOURNEY! HAITIAN BUSINESSES ON FACEBOOK | HAITIAN BUSINESSES ON INSTAGRAM