Djontzo Laurisse’s journey in business is marked by creativity and resilience after experiencing multiple breaks in his academic studies.
It all started in September 2017. Twenty-nine-year-old Djontzo Laurisse Ledoux found himself facing unemployment after completing his high school education. But refused to succumb to that thrive. To change his circumstances, he took a leap of faith and launched his first business venture by selling oranges from a wheelbarrow along the roadside for a period of time in a bid to raise capital to launch a more sustainable business.
Using his limited savings, his initial step ignited his entrepreneurial spirit, initially leading to the youngster expanding into selling shoes a few months later. However, the road to success has not been easy. Djontzo encountered numerous challenges, including damaged inventory that lost value over time and restrictions imposed by local authorities preventing him from setting up shop on public streets.
The seasonal changes posed significant hurdles as well; during the rainy season, he often found himself unable to sell for weeks at a time, grappling with the cold and health issues that accompanied the weather. Despite these difficulties, Djontzo remains hopeful. His ultimate dream is to own a big shop where he can thrive and provide for himself. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and innovation for young people, urging them to combine education with entrepreneurship.
“School does not guarantee a better future,” he states. “It’s time for each of us to develop our ideas and become the business leaders of tomorrow,” he added. With determination and faith, Djontzo is paving the way for his dreams and inspiring others to do same. According to him, the future truly belongs to those who dare to chase it.
