Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carline Severe. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Carline thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
I try as much as possible not to follow the trend, it’s toxic and it prevents you from developing your talents. One of the best ways I’ve learned to innovate is to not listen to all the people voices that want give me their opinions with their best intentions on what they don’t like. Let’s talk about what can be improved first, thats my focus. Innovation is all in the details.
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I decided during Kafedore’s two years to make pieces that maybe my direct audience wouldn’t like and it worked. They liked it because it was new and different. we still have the same philosophy.
Carline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been an entrepreneur for 12 years this year. I’m the mother of an eight-year-old girl and all my work is focused on the art sector and feminism. I studied Small business administration, Marketing & small business developpement. I’ve always wanted to embark on an entrepreneurship journey for the rest of my life since high school and art and crafts came to me.
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I’m a creative at heart, it didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted to do this after a Donna Karen show I watched where she was talking about Haiti after the earthquake of January 12th and at that time, she was collaborating with various artisan in the country. That was the spark.
I told myself that us in Haiti should have the courage & objective of talking about our country in a positive way without waiting for someone else to do it for us and I think that still resonates with me today. 5 months after that spark i started my business despite i didn’t really know the next step.
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Kafedore makes accessories, jewelry, handbags and we have just embarked on the textile business with our hand-painted t-shirts & L’Atelier Therapie ( workshop therapy).
This is a space for collective, healing trauma, where creation aligns with therapy, culture & justice. This program is specifically targeting women.
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One of the problems that we are solving in the sector in Haiti is the problem of the authenticity and laziness of the institutions in the sector that reproduce for years the same products and services for the same audience while the market evolves, it is important for us to address the ” copy paste” problem to do better and encourage others in the sector to do better. We offer custom made products for all types of businesses and individuals, and we work a lot with artists to encourage them to wear local products.
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In this difficult context, we believe that there is an urgent need for collective solidarity and we wanted to address the collective trauma of women displaced from their homes by offering this program where they will be able to learn a profession while taking part of a community that they can trust and feel safe to express their trauma.
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Since the 2nd year of existence, I realized that to really keep this philosophy of authenticity, we had to stop following the trend. You can be influenced by the trend, but you shouldn’t follow it, you should create and develop your own and stick to it, you can be everywhere and without any essence when you follow step by step trends. That philosophy sets us apart from others.
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I’m proud of the years we’ve just reached, I’m proud that my team remains motivated. I am proud of our customers who inspire us and encourage us to move forward. We want to create a community and this is being put in place little by little. I’m proud that I’ve created a company that needs to survive after me. A company that is growing and aspires to serve the next generation and I’m proud that I’m part of a team that’s working for that.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I was talking to a friend recently and I asked him the question “is resilience always a good thing” how clearly all my life I have only done this in haiti “being resilient”. I refuse to say it right now even if it is the case, but it is a word that is not useful especially in a situation where you don’t have a lot of choices, so you deal with the only thing you have, because its is not a choice when . you can’t choose between two situations but got only one to deal with. I actually prefer the word “ being present”
It becomes a routine, a way of life, you know that you have to stay up for your company, for the people who count on you, for the uncertainty of the end of the month sometimes.
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Above all, we should be able to be present for ourselves to be present for others and your company. It’s hard to truly take care of yourself when everything around you falls apart.
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I have to be present and have the strength to continue for the future plans I have for the expansion of this KAFEDORE.
I’ve also learned that clear plans and goals help you be present and help you keep your balance.
But above all, discipline and passion.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I show up everyday. There can be no excuses when you have to get the job done. Even if I work at home, in the office, in the workshop, the work is equally important and I don’t neglect deadlines.
I give the same respect to my goals as I give to my health, I know that I have to stay healthy, the same check-up has to be done to keep a shape for my goals. It’s not easy, especially if you’re someone who does several activities, with discipline it’s possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kafedore.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kafedore/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/kafedore
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carline-severe-3883a270/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tikafedore
Image Credits
CedClearshot ValeryBaesewyl