Kreyol Essence, Uber and Social Impact
You may recognize the brand Kreyol Essence from ABC’s Shark Tank. In case you missed it, here's the lowdown on this latest Caribbean-owned and ethically-sourced beauty brand. Kreyol Essence is founded by Haitian-American power duo Yve-Car Momperousse and Stéphane Jean-Baptist. The brand was born after Moneperrouse took a visit to her hairdresser. She had been growing her hair naturally for a while and wanted to get her hair pressed / straightened. The hairdresser said, “I am going to need significant heat to straighten that hair.” The extremity of the heat ended up burning Monperrouse’s hair. In an effort to save it, she searched high and low for organic castor oil but couldn’t find it anywhere. She realized this was a critical need for Afro-Caribbean and black women everywhere and decided to create a solution, Kreyol Essence.
Kreyol Essence takes indeginous ingredients from local Haitian farms and turns them into eco-friendly formulas that do wonders for your beauty routine. Kreyol Essence is locally sourced and sustainably made in Haiti. While many Caribbean women are familiar with the benefits of Jamaican castor oil, Haitian castor oil is also known to provide both medicinal and beauty purposes. Even its manufacturing is unique. Haitain elders use a traditional hand method which consists of roasting castor seeds. However, it's the filtration process that makes a difference in its quality. Haitain castor oil is screen filtered and not refined like many other beauty products.
Beauty benefits aside, KE’s drive for social impact is impressive. Yve-Car has made it KE’’s mission to dedicate their business to issues such as economic development and empowerment to the women in her community. Haiti’s high poverty rate after it’s devastation 2010 earthquake, has led to an increase in gender violence, an issue far too common among Caribbean countries. In an effort to create jobs, 90% of the beauty brand’s staff and operations are led by women. Kreyol Essence adds that by starting their business they have created jobs for unemployed Haitians which helps stimulate Haiti’s wounded economy. Locals are now offered steady income through KE’s employment program. Let’s look at the numbers. KE has provided jobs to 350 farmers and have credited 98% of their products as imports which in turn helps Haiti’s GDP- something they have been struggling with for decades. Kreyol Essence is also conscious of its environmental impact. By farming and harvesting their ingredients in Haiti they’ve reduced deforestation and gas emissions.
Kreyol Essence has also made a social impact here in the US. Fast forward to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, KE partnered with Uber’s pilot program, Uber Works to bring jobs to Miami. Uber Works pairs pre-screened, skilled workers with companies that need employees for various types of work. It’s no secret that COVID-19 hit hard and millions of people across the nation were out of jobs. Monperrouse knew she had to step in. The program has taken off in 3 cities thus far and has been extremely successful. Uber hopes to take the program nationwide in effort to create more jobs.
