In 2017, Cliff Dessables’ tech career came to an abrupt end. Laid off with no clear plan, he faced a decision: start over or start something new.
He chose the latter—launching an entrepreneurial journey that would lead to a multimillion-dollar Haitian beverage brand and a movement to empower his community.
From Marketing Consultant to Cultural Tastemaker
Cliff’s first venture was a digital agency, helping service businesses grow online.
But when COVID-19 hit, his client base disappeared—just as he and his wife welcomed a newborn into their modest apartment.
They turned to something deeply rooted in tradition: Kremas, a creamy Haitian liqueur.
Homemade and hand-bottled, their Kremas was marketed through social media and word of mouth.
“We didn’t have much, but we had our story,” Cliff recalls.
That story resonated. Orders grew fast.
They scaled from their kitchen, to a garage, and eventually to a full production facility.
By 2022, the brand had surpassed $1 million in revenue.
Vann Lakay: A Platform to Uplift Entrepreneurs
Recognizing that others wanted to follow in his footsteps, Cliff created Vann Lakay.
It’s more than just a private label program—it’s a full mentorship ecosystem.
“We give our community the tools to build, sell, and scale,” he says.
The initiative provides access to:
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Cliff’s product line
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Business templates
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Expert support
Vann Lakay is helping a new wave of Haitian entrepreneurs thrive.
Personal Sacrifices and Entrepreneurial Wins
Cliff handled everything in the early stages—production, shipping, marketing—all while supporting his wife through postpartum recovery.
“I couldn’t afford outside help at first,” he says.
But building a sales funnel and hiring a business coach turned everything around.
“That changed my thinking—and the business.”
Now, Cliff focuses on building a team so he can reclaim his time and stay present for his family.
The Bigger Mission: Exporting Haitian Pride
Cliff’s mission has expanded:
👉 Help 10,000 Haitians launch businesses by 2030
👉 Create a global export pipeline for Haitian-made goods
“We’re investing in farms and building a bridge from Haiti to the world,” he says.
His dream is bold yet clear:
Turn Haitian culture into global opportunity.
