We were lucky to catch up with Frantzie Jean recently and have shared our conversation below.

Frantzie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Through our parents we learn so much about the world. As we watch them age, they indirectly teach us various lessons about life through different seasons. You know what they say about mothers… “mothers are always right!”.

My mother has always been my idol. There were times when I didn’t understand her growing up. Nothing she said ever made sense to me because I thought she was, “too strict”. When I turned 21 it’s like a light switch went on and everything changed. Things that didn’t make sense suddenly became more clear. She always protected me and wanted me to be the best version of myself, even when faced with adversities. She frequently reminded me with achieving goals there may be certain obstacles. Her favorite line was, “when one door closes another one opens” and that gave me the faith to know positive things were up ahead, and the resilience to fight any obstacles along the way no matter the circumstances.

I will forever be grateful that I was able to witness how strong and resilient my mother was, but also her teaching me the power of resilience and faith until her last days.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Frantzie Jean. I currently reside in Brooklyn, NY, you can consider me a Brooklynite. I have been practicing medicine for the past seven years as an ER trained Physician Assistant.

Balancing work and family life is draining and frequently caused burnout on most days. I was taken on an emotional ride realizing I was neglecting myself emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. In February of 2018 I started making candles which I initially saw as a hobby and way to bond with my mother who was diagnosed with cancer at the time. I did not realize how soothing candle making was. The concept of self-care became very important to me. I decided to expand and share the experience beyond just a hobby. I am proud that we have been consistent for the past few years, receiving great customer feedback, which of course has been exciting! We are always looking for ways to collaborate with other brands and enjoy participating in fairs, store popups, and wellness events.

At Douce, we aim to create products that will continue the momentum and ideology of self-care and remind customers that you can practice self-care everyday! This will increase positive Mental Health practices which is the ultimate goal for Douce Haus.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I have never imagined becoming a candle maker. As a child, I envisioned being an artist. Whether it was sketching, singing, or just writing poetry for the world to see, it was a safe place. I never thought about where the inspiration came from, until I realized my mother and I shared the same qualities. She found peace in baking, cooking, sewing garments, and listening to music it was her form of self-care.

Two years prior to the birth of Douce Haus, my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 4. At the time of diagnosis, I passed my medical boards and landed a job in my field. It was a lot to balance, especially with the new responsibilities that I had to take on. I was determined to take on any responsibility and provide my mother with the support she needed. This selfless, strong, independent, creative Haitian woman who always provided a nurturing and supportive environment was battling cancer and it was heartbreaking to know I may lose my best friend. She remained strong through the process. Her charisma continued to shine bright in every room she entered, her laughter was contagious and could brighten anyone’s day. Her faith and her will to fight grew stronger by the day.

Due to aggressive treatment and the unpredictable progress of my mothers health, I was hopeful but knew it was a possibility that I may not have much time left with her. She started to lose her sense of smell due to treatment. While researching, I came across the positive impact of aroma therapy on mood instability and the long term affects on mental health. Making scented candles was a great idea.

I thought about how we could bond through this new hobby and potentially help regain her sense of smell. She enjoyed every part of the process. We even joked about turning it into a business and making her the CEO! With every batch of candles made and every candle lit, it puts me at ease to know that this was one of the best memories I have of her through her toughest battle. She always encouraged me to do what my heart desired and reminded me to never give up on myself. The process and the birth of Douce Haus, will forever be one of many memories that I have of her.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back in time, I would not change anything about my journey. I love what I do! My profession has not only given me the opportunity and skills to provide efficient medical care, it has also imparted the ability to encourage others to engage in self-care as much as possible.

As a candle maker, I am always researching the benefits of aromatherapy and how it can improve depression, anxiety, and other conditions. Creating products that will continue to provide an optimal self-care experience is very important to me.

I believe that I am exactly where I need to be and set here with a purpose. I am very proud of my profession, and content with the opportunity to continue creating products that people will not only love but will also connect with.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/douce_haus