L'Union Suite: Kreyòl Essence Haitian Beauty Products Featured On Shark Tank Jan 12

For the last few years, its been a pleasure getting to know, support, and watch the growth of Yve-Car Momperousse, and Stephane Jean-Baptiste, the co-founders of Haitian beauty brand Kreyòl Essence.

On January 12th, which marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic earthquake in Haiti, the world will have an opportunity to cheer on the Haitian-American entrepreneurs as they present their products and business model to investors of ABC’s hit business reality show, Shark Tank.

When the 2010 earthquake devastated Haiti, Momperousse and Jean-Baptiste led efforts to raise $100,000 for the Haiti Earthquake Relief and Rebuilding Fund, provided a medical relief team, and delivered 7,000 pounds of supplies. It was Yve-Car’s mother who pointed out to her that, as necessary as that aid was, what the people of Haiti needed long-term were jobs.

Only employment would alleviate the rampant poverty and provide improved education and health care. Yve-Car realized that mission nicely dovetailed with her long-time plan to bring Haiti Black Castor Oil to the U.S. and beyond. And that’s how she and Stephane co-founded Kreyòl Essence.

The opportunity Kreyol Essence provides is very real in Haiti. They grow their castor beans on Haitian farms. Haitian women make up the majority of the company workforce, providing jobs and economic opportunity. As the brand grows, so grows the social impact.

On Monday, Stephane and Yve-Car will pitch the panel of five Sharks on the business and its prospects for growth. They’ll need to convince Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Barbara Corcoran that the company is worthy of a Shark investment. A good business plan, good financials, and sales data will impress the Sharks, but they’ll need to show them they are capable of running the company to “Shark standards.”

Kreyol Essence creates 100% natural and ethical beauty products. The signature product is Haitian Black Castor Oil (aka “lwil maskriti,” “palma chrisiti” or “l’huile de ricin”), unique to Haiti and used for centuries for both beauty and medicinal purposes. It is high in Vitamin E, minerals and proteins and has 80-90% ricinoleic acid, the key to its healing powers and its ability to moisturize hair and skin.

Kreyol Essence is the first company to launch Haitian beauty products at Whole Foods Market and the first Haitian company to bring products to the mainstream U.S. and Canadian markets.