There are so many who claim to do it for their culture, but Wanda Tima lives and breathes Haiti through her site L’Union Suite, a digital platform dedicated to Haiti and its diaspora. Reaching 3-5 million weekly, with an engaging community on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the people have chosen L’union as their “go-to” for all thing Haitian. Based in Miami, Wanda is a mover and shaker for the Haitian community, staying abreast the developments of the country and its people in music, culture, politics and more. Wanda is determined to change the world’s perception of Haiti and its diverse people. Influencing the community in a positive way, Wanda recently celebrated the opening of a computer lab at a local school in Cap-Haitien, Haiti.
I want to work with more companies who are willing to provide financial support to create jobs for people and students in Haiti and work more with the youth in Haiti. Click To Tweet
Describe your digital journey and how digital media has influenced how you operate day-to-day.
When I started my company in 2011, I started a web blog, so digital media has been my focus since day one.
These days, I probably spend more time online than I do sleeping. My international future is developing through communication, collaboration, and innovation all of which are dependent on technology. Thanks to digital media, I can get information out to the public faster than ever and since our following and clients are majority international, digital media is my number one source of distributing content and generating income.
What was your initial inspiration for creating L’union Suite & Haitian Professionals platforms, and why are these platforms important?
L’union Suite and Haitian Professionals serves as a movement for young Haitians to not only find inspiration in the positive work of their countrymen but to come together and form a community capable of creating change and controlling their own narrative. L’Union Suite is the most popular Haitian-American lifestyle, tourism, culture, society and entertainment websites on the Internet. L’Union Suite shares informative articles, poignant videos and up-to-the-minute social media updates that capture the world’s attention by showing a positive, productive view of all that is Haitian. Launched in 2011, L’Union Suite has broken barriers by attracting over 5 million visitors weekly from across the globe with over 300,000 subscribers via the website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
After seven strong years, L’Union Suite has caught the attention of many celebrities, from Karen Civil, Hip Hop artists, NFL players to even Haiti’s former President Michel Martelly and Democratic Party‘s nominee for President Hilary Clinton. Hosting a variety of community conscious events, L’Union Suite is not only a blog site with enlightening stories, exciting photographs, and interactive events, it also gives back through many different initiatives including its annual Strike for Education Charity Bowl, #HashTagLunchBag and community service in Haiti at schools and orphanages.
In 2015, after receiving numerous emails and calls over 2 years from consumers and celebrities looking to purchase or work with Haitian-owned businesses; Wanda expanded and developed L’union Haitian Professional directory. The site is a welcome home environment for Haitian Professionals which prides itself on creating an avenue for customers to locate, research, contact and review Haitian-owned businesses. The site’s focus on Haitian owned and operated businesses and professionals, listening to their issues and challenges, and finally meeting those challenges with a directory listing suited for consumers searching for products and services by Haitian professionals.
You’ve experienced a tremendous amount of growth, what advice would you give to those starting out or growing?
I think the most important thing I have learned and take with me throughout my journey is to make sure whatever you do in this life, it is aligned with passion and purpose. We all have gifts and talents that can make a lasting impact, however, only a minority of us actually utilize those gifts and talents to live up to their full potential. My current career path was not planned, L’union Suite was a passion project that turned into my career so before I walked away from my previous marketing 9-5 career field, I had to make sure my decision was based on how much I love what I do, how impactful it is or can be and other or not I could wake up every day and work 24 hours doing this and still be happy.
You’ve done a lot of work with other Haitians men and women behind the scenes, how did those collaboration come about and what advice would you give on relationship building?
I am a strong believer in following energy, not forcing relationship or partnerships, be honest and be a person of your word. I work with the people I believe in, the projects I trust and relationships that will afford us more growth or we can assist them building or growing their brands. I feel like all relationships should be an equal exchange of building. While that growth doesn’t always have to be monetary, I believe it should at least add value to your life and not take away. In the beginning, my partnerships were based on me researching and scouting projects and offering our company where we realize there was a need of it, as the company grew more and more people started reaching out to us whether it was because of our branding, our work ethics or our reputation.
Where do you see your career in 5 years? (What do you want to do more of, or do differently)
I am definitely a planner and I have a 5-year plan that I keep to myself and only speak most of it into existence when I feel I am prepared for it manifesting into reality. It’s my personal vision board that includes a section for personal growth, career growth, family, and influence. I love the direction the company is going. One of my biggest goals right now is to operate as a full-blown digital media company with employees all over the world while creating a space where people can work in an atmosphere where they love what they do and make a global impact for our country and culture. I want to work with more companies who are willing to provide financial support to create jobs for people and students in Haiti and work more with the youth in Haiti. As far as the rest, Skies is the limit.
Mikelah
Mikelah is a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora. A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
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