After I overcame the "QUIT" shock, I started thinking what would I do? Do some consulting work? with non-profits? What are my strengths? In this time of financial nightmare (let's say it) should I quit my job?.... It took me a week to ponder and move on.
Worked on consolidating our financial affairs so that we could live on tuna -- still working on them. Then started thinking about my next chapter.
The second part of the Aha moment kicked in when the soulmate and I were getting annoyed with the reports on the non-profits working in Haiti after the earthquake. All you read about is Haitians are unemployed, they can't do this, they can't do that. Let me tell you something: Yes we are the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, but you know what? We got skills as well. Alright we have political issues, but which country doesn't. SERIOUSLY.
What urked me the most was reading an article which said that most non-profits in Haiti would report to their funders that they helped Haitians build a toilet, or clean their streets, like that was a major accomplishment. The other one was a nonprofit fundraising in South Florida and the message was "donate $1 and you can feed a Haitian for months". The soulmate was pissed. Anyway you get me drift. So I put my MBA to work and figured if we supported my peeps in their field they would prosper, their families would prosper and then hire employees and their employees would prosper. Instead of having a non-profit sell stuff with a tag " this will feed someone" or "this is a rubble from the school or orhpanage you are sponsoring" ENOUGH ALREADY.
When I went to Haiti, this past February, I did see tent cities. But you know what? I also saw little businesses/shops in front of each tent. We are entrepreneurs! If you were to ask someone in Haiti they wouldn't be able to communicate it because it's not even a word in our dictionary. Proof was when I saw this clip from the Green Family Foundation who did a documentary on the entrepreneurship of Haitians. I saw a snippet but it was great! Got my juices flowing.
Little disclosure that I do appreciate the work of non-profits in general, most of my background is in the non-profit field. But it seems that most agencies lately feel they have to make their clients seem more helpless to get funding. Not just in Haiti.
So think about it, Haitians are known for their rich culture, food, music, vivid colors but we are also known for some challenges: lack of follow through, magouy (new creole word for you), etc... But really these beautiful items you love to admire were made by people with limited education, worse yet have no business experience outside of their community. But you know what you love them anyway! Sooo.... how about if we made it easier to find and buy these items on...the...internet? How about we open a business that would market, promote and sell all Haitian inspired products. Then take it a step further why not make it an e-commerce site to reach customers throughout the US and globally. And finally why not give artisans and designers a place they could sell their own products through a virtual storefront program. I have read about so many of them in the Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc, etc...
I met a lot of great artisans/designers and in the upcoming interviews you will too. But I hope you will appreciate their work and BUY! BUY! Not because it is going to feed a Haitian family or because you will feel better about yourself but because it is fab! it is a fashion statement!
Next week we will post two interviews. One with a designer in Haiti and one who lives in the States. Also, I am very excited that we will have our first photo shoot next week. Nervous but excited.
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