ERITAJ - Building our legacy
March 2024 | By Analise Marcel & Lorna Valcin
Saurel Quettan
Saurel Quettan was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in a Catholic Church. His education is credited to French priests. This foundation shaped his values and morals in a way none could imagine. He transformed early in life giving way to the importance of an apology and the act of forgiveness. He surrounds his life and actions with mindfulness. He is no stranger to introspection.
Saurel resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been involved with GAHCCI since its inception (2007) with various titles, roles, and responsibilities. He is currently the Chair of Board Development and Leads ERITAJ Business Awards Gala Committee. He believes in a solid foundation, authenticity, and mutual respect. Saurel’s contribution to the GAHCCI is filled with consistency and commitment.
LAKOL: What is ERITAJ?
SAUREL QUETTAN: ERITAJ is a Creole word derived from the French.
The word “ERITAJ” means legacy. ERITAJ as a brand for the Business Awards Gala hosted by the GAHCCI is a testament that the chamber and member businesses are committed to supporting this event. These businesses thrive because we bring opportunities, resources and connections. In this space business can operate and expand allowing them to contribute back to Haiti. ERITAJ is the space and freedom in which businesses are given the incentive to operate well, grow quickly and start with a solid foundation. These businesses make a promise to themselves, the community and are expected to keep those promises.
The ERITAJ Business Award Gala incorporates categories in which some of these businesses are nominated once per year. Many nominees will be identified. Essentially, members of the chamber will visit those chosen businesses and conduct interviews with the owners. Post the interviews and vetting process, the chamber members will choose the best business for the specific category. The number of nominees are based on the categories. The nominees will then be evaluated by the committee members. One awardee will be selected for each category.
All the nominees will be present for the ERITAJ Business Award Gala. However, none of them are aware of being a winner for any category until that epic event night. A sealed envelope will be opened before all the guests as the name and category is read aloud. The crowd of family, friends and business owners is usually on pins and needles. The anticipation is quite palpable to say the least. The event is filled with a litany of emotions from tears of joy to contagious laughter. The award for any category is prestigious and a memorable milestone.
The number and type of categories are determined by the chamber committee members. Theoretically, there could be an insurmountable number of categories. However, a few will be chosen reflecting the lifecycle of the business. For example, there may be an award for the fastest growing new business. How effectively was the solid foundation formed to allow that business to quickly develop? Another category could be the most cost-efficient business. Yet, another is the best place to work. The most profitable business in a certain amount of time. Best customer service will be another. Indeed, the business which gives back to the community will be self-rewarding as well. The categories and possibilities can be endless. However, they have been condensed to reflect the most relevant during the ERITAJ Business Award Gala.
Saurel resides in Atlanta, Georgia. He has been involved with GAHCCI since its inception (2007) with various titles, roles, and responsibilities. He is currently the Chair of Board Development and Leads ERITAJ Business Awards Gala Committee. He believes in a solid foundation, authenticity, and mutual respect. Saurel’s contribution to the GAHCCI is filled with consistency and commitment.
LAKOL: What is ERITAJ?
SAUREL QUETTAN: ERITAJ is a Creole word derived from the French.
The word “ERITAJ” means legacy. ERITAJ as a brand for the Business Awards Gala hosted by the GAHCCI is a testament that the chamber and member businesses are committed to supporting this event. These businesses thrive because we bring opportunities, resources and connections. In this space business can operate and expand allowing them to contribute back to Haiti. ERITAJ is the space and freedom in which businesses are given the incentive to operate well, grow quickly and start with a solid foundation. These businesses make a promise to themselves, the community and are expected to keep those promises.
The ERITAJ Business Award Gala incorporates categories in which some of these businesses are nominated once per year. Many nominees will be identified. Essentially, members of the chamber will visit those chosen businesses and conduct interviews with the owners. Post the interviews and vetting process, the chamber members will choose the best business for the specific category. The number of nominees are based on the categories. The nominees will then be evaluated by the committee members. One awardee will be selected for each category.
All the nominees will be present for the ERITAJ Business Award Gala. However, none of them are aware of being a winner for any category until that epic event night. A sealed envelope will be opened before all the guests as the name and category is read aloud. The crowd of family, friends and business owners is usually on pins and needles. The anticipation is quite palpable to say the least. The event is filled with a litany of emotions from tears of joy to contagious laughter. The award for any category is prestigious and a memorable milestone.
The number and type of categories are determined by the chamber committee members. Theoretically, there could be an insurmountable number of categories. However, a few will be chosen reflecting the lifecycle of the business. For example, there may be an award for the fastest growing new business. How effectively was the solid foundation formed to allow that business to quickly develop? Another category could be the most cost-efficient business. Yet, another is the best place to work. The most profitable business in a certain amount of time. Best customer service will be another. Indeed, the business which gives back to the community will be self-rewarding as well. The categories and possibilities can be endless. However, they have been condensed to reflect the most relevant during the ERITAJ Business Award Gala.
The awards are effectively tied to the lifecycle of the business and how well the business serves its customers. Of course, the way the business operates and pays forward to the community is major. Let’s explore an analogy. View a business as corporate citizen. Keep in mind a business should not be created strictly for profit. A business should also purposely build and create a legacy to its employees, customers and community at large including Haiti. All this exemplifies ERITAJ. The business itself is ERITAJ to its stakeholders. Currently, there are five categories to reveal per secret envelope during the award ceremony. However, this may be subject to change at anytime per the deciding chamber members and the GAHCCI president Dr. Ronald Cetoute.
The ERITAJ Business Awards and the GAHCCI is celebrated as an asset to the Haitian people. The goal is to have Haiti and the people of Haiti to be positioned in way to prosper all business endeavors. Indeed, the event itself is a legacy. Taking part in an event of this magnitude year after year has become a very humble and profound experience for all to attend, witness and support. It is not only an honor to receive one of the awards, but it becomes surreal when present at the gala. This award gala gives the businesses the incentive to build a solid foundation and grow simultaneously taking care of their stakeholders.
LAKOL: Why is ERITAJ necessary?
SAUREL QUETTAN: Without that kind of rigor and incentive, the businesses do not have something bigger to strive for besides a profit margin. Legacy is bigger than all of us. When people in our community achieve this, they tend to believe the honor is theirs alone. In fact, it is not. They can only be there because of their employees, customers, and community. ERITAJ allows the stakeholder to participate in the achievement. It’s an active, collective achievement, not an individual based achievement. Yet, we acknowledge one to represent all. The brand itself is diabolical in a sense, a personal yet impersonal achievement. Everyone should feel a desire and duty to sustain an ERITAJ.
Thank you for sharing such a fascinating interview about the ERITAJ Business Award and Gala as part of the GAHCCI. The information proved most enlightening and quite remarkable. The contents are published to bring awareness to the public about one of the most prestigious award galas presented by the GAHCCI. Lakol magazine looks forward to interviewing you in the future.
GAHCCI can be reach by clicking here.
Purchase ticket to the ERITAJ Awards by clicking here.
The ERITAJ Business Awards and the GAHCCI is celebrated as an asset to the Haitian people. The goal is to have Haiti and the people of Haiti to be positioned in way to prosper all business endeavors. Indeed, the event itself is a legacy. Taking part in an event of this magnitude year after year has become a very humble and profound experience for all to attend, witness and support. It is not only an honor to receive one of the awards, but it becomes surreal when present at the gala. This award gala gives the businesses the incentive to build a solid foundation and grow simultaneously taking care of their stakeholders.
LAKOL: Why is ERITAJ necessary?
SAUREL QUETTAN: Without that kind of rigor and incentive, the businesses do not have something bigger to strive for besides a profit margin. Legacy is bigger than all of us. When people in our community achieve this, they tend to believe the honor is theirs alone. In fact, it is not. They can only be there because of their employees, customers, and community. ERITAJ allows the stakeholder to participate in the achievement. It’s an active, collective achievement, not an individual based achievement. Yet, we acknowledge one to represent all. The brand itself is diabolical in a sense, a personal yet impersonal achievement. Everyone should feel a desire and duty to sustain an ERITAJ.
Thank you for sharing such a fascinating interview about the ERITAJ Business Award and Gala as part of the GAHCCI. The information proved most enlightening and quite remarkable. The contents are published to bring awareness to the public about one of the most prestigious award galas presented by the GAHCCI. Lakol magazine looks forward to interviewing you in the future.
GAHCCI can be reach by clicking here.
Purchase ticket to the ERITAJ Awards by clicking here.