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Haitian Peanut Butter producer pays it forward

Haitian business owner Paul Ducarmel has been innovative his entire life.  “God allowed me to change my life through business,” says Paul, “so I feel called to be a steward and to give back, invest more, and maintain that fear in God which will change me.”

As a son of entrepreneurs, Paul started producing specialty foods as a casual endeavor more than 25 years ago.  In 2003, he launched his own business Douco, in his hometown of Leogane.  Today, he employs 4 people. Producing peanut butter, cocoa powder, and cham-cham, a Haitian specialty food, Paul utilizes raw materials locally grown and purchased from farmers and suppliers in southern Haiti, providing a sustainable income to his employees and others.     

“One thing I’ve been learning from Partners Worldwide business training is how to be innovative amongst my competitors,” he says.  By branding his products and packaging them in consistent plastic jars, Paul has grown enough in recent years to distribute his product to local grocery chains in

Port-au-Prince.  Currently, he transports 50 jars of cham-cham per trip, riding public transportation, but, as he continues to track his budget, he’d like to purchase a motorcycle to transport 160 jars per trip and meet growing demand for his product. 

This demand for my product is essential to continue my business, he goes on to say.  Especially following the earthquake in January 2010, local businesspeople have faced new challenges as free food flooded the markets for months.  Many local business owners and employees went out of work.

In spite of challenges, Paul’s business has been profitable enough to construct a new family home near the production facility.  We’re investing in other ways, says Paul, putting their 16-year-old through school.  “My daughter is a pretty typical teenager right now,” he says with a grin. “One day she dreams to be a lawyer, another day a nurse.”  

Through the local business group in Leogane, Partners Worldwide is walking alongside 20 business owners, including Paul, who are growing their business to bring home an income and to create jobs.  They meet each month to train on biblical and ethical business practices and to develop a successful business plans.  Local and international mentoring relationships are also growing. 

“I feel honored to be approached by my Partners Worldwide mentors and staff,” says Paul, who is now training to mentor others in the community. “I’ve been encouraged to take part with other local entrepreneurs to share the skills I’ve been given by God.”