BEL Initiative
march 2024 | By Analise Marcel& LORNA VALCIN

Lakol: What is the BEL Initiative and when did it begin?
Dr. Cetoute: BEL Initiative established in 2016 is an entrepreneurship program of the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce (GAHCCI). The first cohort to provide binational from Haiti and the United States an entrepreneurship education, mentorship,
access and exposure to entrepreneurs by hosting them in the United States for the summer. They are connected to potential partners, resources with the intention of returning to Haiti and create more jobs. Thus, a bigger impact in the Haitian economy. It’s
like an exchange program.
Lakol: How does this program play a role in Haiti being a developed nation in our lifetime?
Dr. Cetoute: This is the reason we started this program. We know it’s important that the people who are going to be building, cleaning, and living there 24/7 just need the support to develop and maintain the business. At the same time, the chamber being focused on
business, entrepreneurship and helping professionals, we know not to overstep our bounds. We focus on and support the entrepreneurs there and connect markets.
The Haitian entrepreneurs will have the power to create jobs and much more sustainable living if they can provide for themselves and for their families. Long term, this creates a stronger economy because of people who are now creating jobs versus looking for them.
Lakol: What are some challenges which these cohorts face in Haiti?
Dr. Cetoute: One of the biggest challenges is that there isn't really a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in the infrastructure. The capital access to financing and funding in the US is almost nonexistent in Haiti. It’s not easy to find Angel Donors. That’s one aspect of the ecosystem that needs to be developed a little bit more. It’s a very important for entrepreneurs to have resources and being able to survive the economy. Money is usually one of the biggest issues.
Lakol: Some people have given up hope for Haiti becoming a developed nation. They feel it’s a lost cause. Haiti continues to experience earthquakes, hurricanes, political instability, corruption, financial rape, kidnapping and murders by gangs, exploited by nonprofits and the list goes on. Do you think it's a realistic expectation to establish business in an environment riddled with crime and corruption?
Dr. Cetoute: Absolutely. I say that because there are other countries that have done it. For example, Rwanda began having these issues. Other countries less infrastructure and equal, if not more corruption than Haiti. Many have been able to turn themselves around. There are many case studies of other countries who frankly have been in worst positions than Haiti. Those countries overcame the struggles. It’s not possible for those living in a developed country to realistically visualize Haiti a developed nation. That's understandable. The crazed, unrealistic yet determined people to deal with unrealistic situations. So, I guess my answer is yes, it's realistic.
Dr. Cetoute: BEL Initiative established in 2016 is an entrepreneurship program of the Georgia Haitian American Chamber of Commerce (GAHCCI). The first cohort to provide binational from Haiti and the United States an entrepreneurship education, mentorship,
access and exposure to entrepreneurs by hosting them in the United States for the summer. They are connected to potential partners, resources with the intention of returning to Haiti and create more jobs. Thus, a bigger impact in the Haitian economy. It’s
like an exchange program.
Lakol: How does this program play a role in Haiti being a developed nation in our lifetime?
Dr. Cetoute: This is the reason we started this program. We know it’s important that the people who are going to be building, cleaning, and living there 24/7 just need the support to develop and maintain the business. At the same time, the chamber being focused on
business, entrepreneurship and helping professionals, we know not to overstep our bounds. We focus on and support the entrepreneurs there and connect markets.
The Haitian entrepreneurs will have the power to create jobs and much more sustainable living if they can provide for themselves and for their families. Long term, this creates a stronger economy because of people who are now creating jobs versus looking for them.
Lakol: What are some challenges which these cohorts face in Haiti?
Dr. Cetoute: One of the biggest challenges is that there isn't really a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem in the infrastructure. The capital access to financing and funding in the US is almost nonexistent in Haiti. It’s not easy to find Angel Donors. That’s one aspect of the ecosystem that needs to be developed a little bit more. It’s a very important for entrepreneurs to have resources and being able to survive the economy. Money is usually one of the biggest issues.
Lakol: Some people have given up hope for Haiti becoming a developed nation. They feel it’s a lost cause. Haiti continues to experience earthquakes, hurricanes, political instability, corruption, financial rape, kidnapping and murders by gangs, exploited by nonprofits and the list goes on. Do you think it's a realistic expectation to establish business in an environment riddled with crime and corruption?
Dr. Cetoute: Absolutely. I say that because there are other countries that have done it. For example, Rwanda began having these issues. Other countries less infrastructure and equal, if not more corruption than Haiti. Many have been able to turn themselves around. There are many case studies of other countries who frankly have been in worst positions than Haiti. Those countries overcame the struggles. It’s not possible for those living in a developed country to realistically visualize Haiti a developed nation. That's understandable. The crazed, unrealistic yet determined people to deal with unrealistic situations. So, I guess my answer is yes, it's realistic.

Dr. Cetoute: What do these participants need to press forward? Haiti, there's not one answer or one solution that's just going to fix everything. It's a multilayer problem and solution. One of the things that I'll say that they need most is an ecosystem. At the top is access to capital typically from donors and investors outside of Haiti. Most of them are in the US. So. there is the possibility of creating the ecosystem from the diaspora to invest. The opportunity for the diaspora in the United States who contains the richest group of Haitians in the world. They can invest in Haiti.
The $3 billion figure that the diaspora sends over to Haiti each year is spent on basic living necessities, school and making sure people buy food, clothes etcetera. If a small portion was injected into small businesses for people to sustain themselves that alone would have an impact and change people's lives. Now, imagine if a Haitian entrepreneur can eat, create a business that's thriving, thus creating jobs for the economy. That business entrepreneur’s outlook on their circumstance in Haiti is going to look completely different. It would change from” I'm living in the worst country ever in the world.” More like, “I’m okay. I can buy food. I can feed my family if there are problems.” Imagine the growth if we multiply that over and over again! What we would need is to create an ecosystem that extends beyond the borders of the country and to the diaspora around the world well.
Lakol: What qualities do these entrepreneurs have in common?
Dr.Cetoute: I have noticed similarities at an early stage of their company’s growth. Typically, a lot of companies look towards the future once they're big because they have made a lot of money. They made their millions or billions and then they said, “OK, now give back and create a foundation. Do something for the country or for our communities.” BEL Initiative finds that a lot of the entrepreneurs actually have this built into their mission or what they do, which is a beautiful thing! It shows that there is consciousness that even if they make money, there's a necessity to emphatically give back. It was not simply about making $1,000,000, but when making $1,000,000 this program is going to be kicking off at the same time. I'll give you an example: We had a young lady with her own clothing brand or line. She sold her clothes but also asked some friends to go along. She would teach them how to sew clothes and design dresses. This was a hard task for a new business owner.
However, she did teach the young women in her community how to build a business and make money by learning this skill set and trade. They could provide food and live comfortably for themselves. Many of the entrepreneurs from the program have similar formatting in place. They're trying to pull the next person up for the community and teach others how they made some money. Even if they had not made $1,000,000 yet the biggest takeaway was their desire to help the next person. They say,” Hey, hey! Look what I've learned so far. Let me pull you along the way.” That's something positive overlooked; we don't really highlight that much about Haiti. There are probably people that don't know about it. However, I know that because I work with those businesses. I see that a lot of them add that social responsibility, spectrum to their business. They possess the desire to pay it forward, absolutely.
Lakol: How many cohorts total have participated in this project?
Dr. Cetoute: We have 5 cohorts active in this project. We have had 40 entrepreneurs graduate from the program.
Lakol: How many businesses have opened after completing the program?
Dr. Cetoute: The ideal candidate already has a business and needs assistance with increasing growth for the business. We have had one or two people in each class who are in the developmental stages of a business from the ground up. However, those individuals had a great desire and basic plans. The BEL Initiative has a very high success rate. The program prefers participants to have at least one year in business under their belt.
Lakol: Success is measured by profits in business. Will you please discuss a particular business in terms of revenue and how it's improved the cohort’s lifestyle, family, and community?
Dr. Cetoute: Sure, we had a participant who didn’t come in a business. However, he came up with the idea, but he had expertise in that field. So, that was one of the reasons we had accepted him. We make the exceptions if they have a skillset to add. Perhaps, they just need something specific to launch the business. His idea was a marketing and branding company. He worked at a marketing and branding firm, one of the largest. He came to the program. It’s kind of a funny story about how I met him. He persisted the whole trip trying to rebrand the BEL Initiative program. He showed me a new logo, new colors, messaging because he felt that our branding did not do justice with such a great program. He wanted us to be his first client. I was like, “oh, let's wait till after you complete the program, and we could talk about this. My mind is not there right now. You haven't done anything yet.” I wasn't entertaining it at all.
Nonetheless, he was very focused, even after the program. He stayed in touch and kept calling. Then, he sent a proposal. We took a chance and became his first client. The GAHCCI BEL Initiative program was rebranded by him. Eventually he started this work with other chamber members after asking who's behind our new rebranding of the program? This endeavor led him to leave his job and sustain himself. He was getting clients not just in Haiti but in the US. That was a very big deal. He could easily gross $3000 a month which is of course, above average for Haiti. Now, he's been successful in having clients not only the US and Canada, but other countries as well. His life has drastically changed his life for the better.

Lakol: What has led to the participants having a successful business is its supply and demand location, location, location or does it require a special mindset?
Dr. Cetoute: All of them are important. There must be some kind of demand, or you will be left with an expensive project. Try to find your mark and find your niche. Then, you can focus on those people and serving them in the best way. Location, location, location! I have to say, the beautiful concept I've been trying to push more is what I call digital trade. This is where technology allows us to trade services and products despite the location. We would like the entrepreneurs or business owners to consider expanding beyond the Haitian market and a more stable market. Haiti can be unstable quite often. One month everything is good with the government; next month the president is shot. It’s one thing after the other with natural disasters as well.
We have been testing this concept with some of the entrepreneurs. We want them to venture into a more stable market to sustain themselves and the company even when the country is not in the best position. This digital trading proved beneficial for the gentleman I mentioned earlier. He launched a marketing and branding firm. There is also another gentleman with a company selling sandals and shoes. He is now one of one of the most celebrated shoemakers in Haiti. Many of his clients were in the US so that really helped him even when sales were down in Haiti.
BEL Initiative is encouraging digital trade which is making a real impact with their businesses and life. We are currently assisting a startup called Hike Spot. Essentially, this company has products and services and we've created a mini-Amazon for them. Now, they can list their products and services on the website. Having another stream of income and additional revenue is
the best avenue. We have 60 vendors and have been monitoring progress for about 3 years. So, yes, location in many cases is technology. It has allowed us to be a bit more global.
Mindset is very important is the most important and the most difficult struggle. The participants must be willing to listen and consider different principles and concepts. When the markets change, it forces adaptation. Either you stick to that model that you've been using for the last 5-10 years, or you can adapt to how the world and people are responding. Mindset is #1. Everything else can be overcome if you have the right mindset.
Lakol: where do you see bell five years from now? Ten years from now?
Dr. Cetoute: BEL Initiative has recently changed its model. I look at BEL as an opportunity for change. This year we've structured it as a trade mission versus a lot of education. I see BEL as the bridge that is exposing and bringing opportunities for the diaspora to play a more active role in the economy of Haiti. This is done by creating jobs and supporting the entrepreneurs and helping Haiti become more self-sufficient. Helping the people believe again in Haiti.
I imagine that those entrepreneurs we seem to attract are determined to stay in Haiti despite the conditions. Some call them the crazy ones because they remain. They are crazy to the world, their families, their mothers, and fathers who are in the United States. Their family members say, “hey we're living the good life here; come on over.” They're considered the crazy ones because they say, “no I'm not planning to come. I'm staying here because I believe in what I'm doing. I'm going to make sure that this company thrives and creates jobs and builds the community.” I see them as the heroes who have chosen to risk and sacrifice comfort to build the vision we would like to see which is “Haiti is the developed nation in our lifetime.” That's why I believe the diaspora, those who have chosen to come here has a duty to help the Haitian economy move forward. It's our job as those with convenience and the comfort and stable economy to support those who are over there with our combined resources. We need to support, encourage, and share the knowledge that we're receiving.
I see BEL Initiative opening that door and being a gateway and a channel for the diaspora to consistently support the country in a way that has never been seen before. That's through the direct investment the reversal of knowledge transfer and dispel the brain drain issues. Absolutely, my goal 10 years from now is that BEL will no longer need to exist. Haiti will have an ecosystem. It makes sense for us as a people to reach back home and see the value in what we do have. We believe in ourselves. We can do this. Therefore, it's a no brainer. So, BEL Initiative would be useless because people would already know what and how to be successful.
Dr. Cetoute: All of them are important. There must be some kind of demand, or you will be left with an expensive project. Try to find your mark and find your niche. Then, you can focus on those people and serving them in the best way. Location, location, location! I have to say, the beautiful concept I've been trying to push more is what I call digital trade. This is where technology allows us to trade services and products despite the location. We would like the entrepreneurs or business owners to consider expanding beyond the Haitian market and a more stable market. Haiti can be unstable quite often. One month everything is good with the government; next month the president is shot. It’s one thing after the other with natural disasters as well.
We have been testing this concept with some of the entrepreneurs. We want them to venture into a more stable market to sustain themselves and the company even when the country is not in the best position. This digital trading proved beneficial for the gentleman I mentioned earlier. He launched a marketing and branding firm. There is also another gentleman with a company selling sandals and shoes. He is now one of one of the most celebrated shoemakers in Haiti. Many of his clients were in the US so that really helped him even when sales were down in Haiti.
BEL Initiative is encouraging digital trade which is making a real impact with their businesses and life. We are currently assisting a startup called Hike Spot. Essentially, this company has products and services and we've created a mini-Amazon for them. Now, they can list their products and services on the website. Having another stream of income and additional revenue is
the best avenue. We have 60 vendors and have been monitoring progress for about 3 years. So, yes, location in many cases is technology. It has allowed us to be a bit more global.
Mindset is very important is the most important and the most difficult struggle. The participants must be willing to listen and consider different principles and concepts. When the markets change, it forces adaptation. Either you stick to that model that you've been using for the last 5-10 years, or you can adapt to how the world and people are responding. Mindset is #1. Everything else can be overcome if you have the right mindset.
Lakol: where do you see bell five years from now? Ten years from now?
Dr. Cetoute: BEL Initiative has recently changed its model. I look at BEL as an opportunity for change. This year we've structured it as a trade mission versus a lot of education. I see BEL as the bridge that is exposing and bringing opportunities for the diaspora to play a more active role in the economy of Haiti. This is done by creating jobs and supporting the entrepreneurs and helping Haiti become more self-sufficient. Helping the people believe again in Haiti.
I imagine that those entrepreneurs we seem to attract are determined to stay in Haiti despite the conditions. Some call them the crazy ones because they remain. They are crazy to the world, their families, their mothers, and fathers who are in the United States. Their family members say, “hey we're living the good life here; come on over.” They're considered the crazy ones because they say, “no I'm not planning to come. I'm staying here because I believe in what I'm doing. I'm going to make sure that this company thrives and creates jobs and builds the community.” I see them as the heroes who have chosen to risk and sacrifice comfort to build the vision we would like to see which is “Haiti is the developed nation in our lifetime.” That's why I believe the diaspora, those who have chosen to come here has a duty to help the Haitian economy move forward. It's our job as those with convenience and the comfort and stable economy to support those who are over there with our combined resources. We need to support, encourage, and share the knowledge that we're receiving.
I see BEL Initiative opening that door and being a gateway and a channel for the diaspora to consistently support the country in a way that has never been seen before. That's through the direct investment the reversal of knowledge transfer and dispel the brain drain issues. Absolutely, my goal 10 years from now is that BEL will no longer need to exist. Haiti will have an ecosystem. It makes sense for us as a people to reach back home and see the value in what we do have. We believe in ourselves. We can do this. Therefore, it's a no brainer. So, BEL Initiative would be useless because people would already know what and how to be successful.

Lakol: How can the US support the BEL Initiative?
Dr. Cetoute: We received some support in the form of a grant from the US embassy two years ago. I think the US could support the BEL Initiative by supporting our principles, beliefs and supporting the entrepreneurs in a more effective manner. The need is not simply exposure and wanting praise from a single grant. Then saying, “look what we are doing; we believe in Haiti.” What does it look like when people stop throwing billions of dollars towards a charity? Take some of money to invest in some businesses that we really see have high potential. I think that the US assessing how they distribute resources would be enough. The US knows what it's doing and it's a very established country. Haiti knows how to assess and distribute as well. I think the issue is mutual respect between countries. That means respect that Haiti is quite capable of running itself and trust that they're going to make the right decisions for themselves. The US could support programs and funnel
resources and have fair trade between both countries in a way that respects the long
history between Haiti and the US. Haiti has contributed to U.S. history and economy in a way that really nobody elaborates. I don't believe that it's been fairly reciprocated in an equal manner.
Lakol: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about this program?
Dr. Cetoute: We plan to kick off the trade mission in late July week and trade mission. People are invited to come out to support and see the opportunities available. The chamber’s yearly gala will also host a business exposition. I want people to know there is an opportunity for them to support or participate in any way. Spread the word to friends, family members and the community. Somebody might benefit from attending this trade mission.
Applications will open soon, and we'll be more than happy to review and pick the best 10 to 15 candidates. We can get them connected to resources when they can go back. Return to Haiti empowered and encouraged to develop the country. For more information
go to belinitiative.com or gahcci.org. Look around at our many programs. We are on social media as well. BEL has its own Facebook page, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Dr. Cetoute: We received some support in the form of a grant from the US embassy two years ago. I think the US could support the BEL Initiative by supporting our principles, beliefs and supporting the entrepreneurs in a more effective manner. The need is not simply exposure and wanting praise from a single grant. Then saying, “look what we are doing; we believe in Haiti.” What does it look like when people stop throwing billions of dollars towards a charity? Take some of money to invest in some businesses that we really see have high potential. I think that the US assessing how they distribute resources would be enough. The US knows what it's doing and it's a very established country. Haiti knows how to assess and distribute as well. I think the issue is mutual respect between countries. That means respect that Haiti is quite capable of running itself and trust that they're going to make the right decisions for themselves. The US could support programs and funnel
resources and have fair trade between both countries in a way that respects the long
history between Haiti and the US. Haiti has contributed to U.S. history and economy in a way that really nobody elaborates. I don't believe that it's been fairly reciprocated in an equal manner.
Lakol: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about this program?
Dr. Cetoute: We plan to kick off the trade mission in late July week and trade mission. People are invited to come out to support and see the opportunities available. The chamber’s yearly gala will also host a business exposition. I want people to know there is an opportunity for them to support or participate in any way. Spread the word to friends, family members and the community. Somebody might benefit from attending this trade mission.
Applications will open soon, and we'll be more than happy to review and pick the best 10 to 15 candidates. We can get them connected to resources when they can go back. Return to Haiti empowered and encouraged to develop the country. For more information
go to belinitiative.com or gahcci.org. Look around at our many programs. We are on social media as well. BEL has its own Facebook page, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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