In 2017, Cliff Dessables found himself at a crossroads. Laid off from his job as a tech engineer, the future felt uncertain.
But instead of retreating, Cliff turned adversity into opportunity. What began as a personal pivot soon became a mission to uplift Haitian culture and community through entrepreneurship.
The Rise of Bati Biznis: From Digital Strategy to Cultural Legacy
Cliff’s foray into entrepreneurship began with a digital marketing agency, supporting small local businesses.
Then COVID-19 hit—and so did financial instability.
Clients disappeared overnight, and Cliff and his wife, now new parents, faced daunting pressures.
Turning inward, they revived a cultural tradition: Kremas, a Haitian cream-based liqueur.
They poured the drinks by hand in their kitchen, bottling them in reused rum bottles—and leaned into e-commerce and authenticity.
“The internet gave us traction and attention,” Cliff shares.
What began as a side hustle grew quickly.
The kitchen gave way to a garage, then to a full facility in Miami.
By 2022, the brand had broken seven figures in revenue.
Scaling with Purpose: Building Vann Lakay
Seeing others inspired by his journey, Cliff launched a private label program—and eventually Vann Lakay, a coaching and empowerment platform aimed at helping Haitian entrepreneurs build brands of their own.
“We provide not just products, but the guidance to succeed,” he says.
Vann Lakay blends mentorship with logistics, allowing aspiring founders to step confidently into business.
Overcoming Roadblocks, Prioritizing Family
It wasn’t always smooth.
Cliff juggled every role himself—while supporting his wife through postpartum recovery and raising a newborn.
“There wasn’t space to hire help in the beginning,” he says.
The turning point came through strategic marketing funnels and investing in a business coach.
“That’s when the real growth began.”
He credits team-building with helping him reclaim time for his family:
“Instead of asking how, I ask who.”
What’s Next: Creating 10,000 Haitian Entrepreneurs by 2030
Cliff’s vision is bold:
👉 Empower 10,000 Haitians in the U.S. to launch their own businesses by 2030.
He’s also setting his sights on sourcing directly from Haitian farmers and exporting high-quality, locally made products to global markets.
“We’re not just selling a drink,” he says.
“We’re exporting a culture.”
