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PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Nadege Fleurimond

Nadege is a product of the Ivy Leagues. She attended Columbia University where she received a degree in Political Science. During her junior year in college, she started a catering business as a fun way to make some extra money. The business took off pretty well as she catered for the many student organizations on campus as well as faculty and staff members that needed some catering help for their private parties. Upon graduation, Nadege worked for a City Council member in Brooklyn where she served as the project manager/community liaison representative which further helped in producing the momentum that would lead to the success in her catering business.

Nadege has catered for some of the most well-known people in the New York Tri State Area, including but not limited to: New York Times Best selling author, Jill Nelson, The City Council of New York, Brooklyn Borough Hall, Columbia University, Rutgers University, Hunter College, Brooklyn Museum, Beacon Theater, CD 101.9 FM, Consortium for Empowerment, People of Color in Crisis and many other well known individuals and institutions. Through an array of promotional advertisement, she has gotten jobs that she never thought she could and because of her quality work, her clients have continued to recommend her to more elite clients.

As a Haitian woman, it wasn’t always that easy for her. “I think the biggest issue has been my age,” said Nadege, “I started catering when I was 20. I think a lot of people just could not wrap their brain around having a 20 year old handle their event.” Nadege has been able to win over clients with her business savvy, her articulacy and her well rounded background. “People can deny a lot of things, but they can never your knowledge”, says Nadege.

Her catering business has become the most pivotal and influential component in her maturity process. “I think catering, being the first business I started, prepared me for other things I later wanted to do. It's shown me the power of networking. Also, it has taught me one of the greatest lessons I will ever learn: the best possible resource anyone can have at their disposable is other people,” she said, “but above all, because I have had to go out there and make my business happen, it has really made me a better speaker and a much more knowledgeable person all around. I am now in a position where I can think outside the box and I am able to help other entrepreneurs navigate their way to success,” she continued.

Another hurdle that Nadege had to face was her family. Her parents were the one’s responsible in sending her to Columbia University, and when she alerted them of her career plans, they were astonished and extremely harsh. Her father, the individual who had cared for her since her arrival to the states was very annoyed by this sudden change of heart. ‘I sacrificed all those years only for you to be a Machann manje,’ He said angrily. But Nadege knew what she wanted to do and she wasn’t going to let her father tell her otherwise. “I think often time our people don't see the bigger picture,“ she uttered, “They don't see the power in owning your own business, no matter what business it is. The good that one can do with that surpasses any pay check in my opinion,” as she burst out in laughter.

Nadege’s driving force is the comments of the naysayer, those who put her down and wouldn’t give her business a chance to prove itself. Her family neglected and abandoned her, some of friends questioned her ideals and her desire to prosper in this country but she knew all along what she wanted to do.

She has hosted parties of up to 1200 people, managing everything from the food, to decorating, to the hiring of other vendors such as dj’s and photographers.

As for her business plans for the future, Nadege would like to open a catering hall but not a restaurant. It allows her time to relax and still make the type of money she wants to make, “restaurant is too stressful,” she explains. But do not be surprise if you happen to see her on Capitol Hill at some point, “I’ve always been fascinated by law and government in the US, I still very much have plans to go to law school,” she explains, “but there’s just so much that I want to do. Law school will be the 3rd major endeavor I embark on, don’t ask about the 2nd, it’s in the making as we speak,” she concluded with a smile.

Blake Seide: How are you helping your community?

Nadege Fleurimond: I am very active in both political and community matters. One of the main organizations that I take part in centers around 2 issues that I am most passionate about: civic and economic education for the Haitian community. This organization, HAAPA (Haitian American Association for Progressive Action) has a political and business component. It’s main mission is to empower the community by getting them engaged in their communities be it through schools, community boards, voting etc. and also providing Haitian businesses with valuable information to teach them how to manage and operate their businesses. I speak at schools with large numbers of Haitians. I realize especially with the younger generation, they need a lot of guidance. Parents are busy or something, because Haitian kids now are not like the ones I grew up with. So I try to teach and lead by example. I speak to Haitian business owners all the time teaching them about networking, licensing, finances and other matters.

BS: What piece of advice would you give to aspiring caterers?

NF: Just know that it's a lot of work. It's a great business to go into if you don't have much start up capital. The money is definitely worth the hard work once you have the right clientele though. And know that catering goes way beyond cooking. The cooking part is the easy part. One has to be very organized, at least in the business. Must make sure you understand people, and can persuade without appearing one way or another. Lots of people skills needed.

BS: What can you tell young Haitians living in America without a dream?

NF: Funny thing is I don't think we all need to know what it is we want to do in terms of career. I think we all should strive to be positive. If someone does not at least want to do well or empower others, I do not even know what to say. I couldn't even begin to comprehend what that is like. At the end of the day, I say search within yourself and see what it is that you care about. Whether it is people or things, I think we all can find a way to make our likes work for us. I say always strive for success. Once you strive for success, money (if you care for it), will follow.

BS: What's your advice to people who may want to emulate you?

NF: I am a strong believer that we can make whatever we want happen. I always tell people, there's no real secret to success. There's just hard work. In everything we want to do, there's a path that we must take, and its understanding that road and making that road ours that will ensure a smooth navigation. So once you know what you want, do what you have to do to make it happen!

BS: How would you like your one-line epitaph to read?

NF: No Regret