“When I came across her book as a high school teenager at a public library, it was the first time I saw reflections of myself in literature. With this experience, I understood the importance of creating or reading books which empower children of color,” Similien-Johnson reflected.

She soon enrolled at Barnard College of Columbia University, Danticat’s alma mater, as an English literature and creative writing major where she can do the same for other young, first and second generation caribbean youth. She started writing books for women where they can discover and live a more purposeful life — the same tools that helped her achieve success.

Through that, Similien-Johnson managed to find the sweet spot between being a Haitian and American woman and her writing reflects such. While, yes, she understands the complexity and duality in her identity, she’s not only learned to embrace it, but also put in a format where generations to come can relate and see themselves in her works.

Knowing the need for Haitian culture in children’s books, Similien-Johnson transitioned into children’s literature to empower families and children to help them learn more about Haiti’s culture. Her latest book, “Haiti is” is the complete embodiment of such. 

Founding Goal Chic, a women and girl empowerment initiative to give them guidance on how to pursue their goals and purpose. Asked numerous times on how she managed to create the life she lives, Similien-Johnson felt that it was right to write self-help books to help them along the process. Her books include; Goal Chic!: Changing the World, One Goal at a Time, Living Expectantly: 30 Days to Living An Authentic Life, and How to Stay Motivated: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Living.

With May being Haitian Heritage Month, read on to find out how what this Haitian-American go-getter is up to, her company CSJ Media Publishing, some hardships she’s experienced as a Haitian-American writer and some of her favorite Haitian dishes.

Tell me a little bit of what is CSJ Media Publishing? And why did you start it?

CSJ stands for the first initials of my name. My journey as a writer started in 2006 at an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Retreat in Port Jervis, NY. Ever since then, there was a high calling on my life: to serve God through writing. For many years, I neglected the fulfillment of my purpose because of my own fears, doubts, unbelief, etc.

A breakthrough came one afternoon in February 2014 when I was challenged to be the woman of God I was created to be. I decided to take on the challenge and pursue God and discover who I am in Him. Later that year, I founded CSJ Media Publishing as a platform to use my gifts and talents in writing to uplift others. My mission is to inspire, encourage, and empower people through the written word.

What do you hope people get from your books?

I want to instill hope in my readers after they read my empowerment books. For my young readers, I want to instill wonder about other cultures For those who read my cookbooks and cultural books, I want to instill knowledge about my Haitian culture.

What can we as customers and as Haitian people do to see more multicultural people in the arts and publishing world?

You can support the works of the authors by attending their events and buying their books. In addition, spread the word on social media sites so that more people can be aware of them.

What’s your artwork process like?

There’s a quote that I love from a famed artist. He said, “I start with an idea and it becomes something else.” The process starts with an idea. I have many ideas. I choose to work on one at a time, giving God the space to take it where it needs to go. Like clay, I mold the idea and cut out the unnecessary pieces until I see that it is fit enough to be released to the public.

What are some of the hardships you’ve experienced as a writer?

I have many stories to tell, but one of my challenges is finding the time to write them.

What do you think is missing the writing landscape, and how are you trying to bridge the gap?

I think the writing landscape is missing connections, collaborations, and a sense of community. Writers, by nature, work independently or in silos. A lot of good can be done if authors combine forces to change their communities. I decided to launch Author Talks in May 2017 to bridge that gap, particularly in my Brooklyn community.

What should young aspiring authors do to get their foot in the door?

I encourage young aspiring writers to tell their stories unashamed, and connect with other writers in their community. Nowadays, being a writer is not enough. As writers we have a responsibility to not only share our stories but also be active in our communities.

Tell me a little bit about your ‘Cook like a Haitian’ cooking series. Where did the idea come from and what’s your favorite dish to cook?

The idea of writing a cookbook was spurred by my desire to preserve the meals I had while growing up in a Haitian household. One of my earliest childhood memories was the time I visited relatives in Haiti one summer. I remember sitting at a table in a backyard filled with banyan trees. For breakfast, I had meals like Mayi Moulen (Cornmeal) with Sòs Pwa Nwa (Black Bean Sauce).

As I got older, somehow (and unfortunately), I got disconnected from my roots. I lost my sense of cultural identity and the ability to understand and speak the Haitian-Creole language. There’s an African proverb that says, “We must go back to our roots in order to move forward.”

A few years ago, I decided to learn everything I can about my Haitian culture. Consequently, I began cooking and compiling the recipes from my childhood. The “Cook Like A Haitian” cookbook series is my way of not only persevering traditional Haitian recipes but also helping others reconnect to their Haitian roots through food. My favorite dish to cook is Banan Peze. It’s so easy to make!

What’s your take on the importance of food in Haitian culture?

Food plays a major role in the Haitian culture. We are known for our Pumpkin Soup and Black Rice. Every time I take a bite of Haitian food, I take a bite of our history.

If you want to find more of Cindy Similien-Johnson’s work, you can find them here on her Amazon author page. If you also want to join the Trendy Tripping community, and see the different memberships we provide, click the home page for more information. 

Jennifer met Bryan at his brother’s surprise party back in 2013. Initially wanting Bryan to be her professional brownie maker, she gave him her email, address and number, so he can deliver the brownies to her. Since then, they’ve been talking and they have been together five years and counting.

But, in between Bryan, 32, making Jennifer, 24, brownies, they decided to go into business together and called it Sacred Chef and Company. It’s mission? It’s to be a conversation starter for people from all ways of life and culture through food. The meaning behind the name Sacred Chef and Company comes from an agricultural standpoint.

“Nature is sacred to mankind, so the service we provide is from a food-based company that appreciates and respects that,” said the Brooklyn natives. “We aim to provide customers and events with organic, sustainable products at all times.”

Originally called Umami Savory Gourmet, the food-based company was in business for three years before it dissolved and the dynamic duo had to do a brand refresh. Now, this April will Sacred Chef and Company one year!

As a couple, they’re whipping up some dope Valentine’s Day specials for couples that want to experience what it’s like to have a personal chef.

“The current project we’re working on is a Valentine’s Day personal chef three-course dinner,” said Chef Bryan. “The concept is instead of dining in a restaurant, [we] want to bring the experience to your home.”

Read on as we learn how Bryan and Jennifer carve out times for their business and love lives, their upcoming projects and their goals for 2017.

What do you love most about your job?

Chef Bryan: What I enjoy about my career path is how food becomes a universal language understood by all. It took time to realize my purpose on this earth but, once I discovered it each day is so worthwhile.

Jenny: What I love most about what Sacred Chef and Company does is connect with people through food. It is so interesting to start a conversation based on food from any culture.

As a couple, what are your strengths and weakness individually and how do you guys play up on them as a team?

Chef Bryan: As a couple Jenny strengths are marketing, brand awareness and advertisement. My strengths are food and networking. We combine all of the attributes to a personal clients event, a pop up and food based workshops.

Jenny: My strengths are keeping positive momentum going when things don’t go as planned during events. I like to think of myself as the “calm one.” I help Chef Bryan with brand awareness, marketing, social media content for our businesses, which can be a weaknesses for both of us at times. but we work together and figure out strategic ways to get the task at hand completed.

What’s one lesson/piece of advice you would tell someone who wants to pursue the same career path as you?

Chef Bryan: The advice I can give to a person who wants to pursue a certain career path are two things: One, love what you do and what i mean is if it bring you peace then follow it. Two, do not chase the money! Master your passion and money will chase you!

What’s your goal for this year and how do you plan on pursuing them?

Chef Bryan: Our goals for the end of this year is to gain 60 clients that we work with on a monthly basis, a specified revenue for our growth as a small start-up company and to continue building our food-based community.

Why do you think an app like Trendy Tripping is important for entrepreneurs? 

Chef Bryan: An app like Trendy Tripping is important to entrepreneurs because they are able to work with your weak point and align you with resources that can help. Trendy Tripping was able to help my company facilitate “A Taste Of Thanksgiving” a pop up at BKLYN Commons in November 2016.
For more information or if you’re looking to hire Sacred Chef and Co, email them at SacredCoNYC@gmail.com.

But with those perks, entrepreneurship does have it’s downside. It consist of long hours, working tirelessly to reach a financial goal where you’re not only getting paid, but your team, too. It entails being innovative with your idea or product, taking risks and experiencing a little bit of success and lots of failure — all without a safety net.

If you’re on the fence on whether you should pursue entrepreneurship, Trendy Tripping has got you covered. We sat down with certified life coach and member of International Coach Federation Stacey Singh to find out what are the pressing questions one should ask themself on whether they’re really about that entrepreneurship life.

What can I do effortlessly?

Singh suggests that this is the first question one should ask themself. Why? Well because what may be easy for one person isn’t easy for the next. You’ll be able to pinpoint and focus on what your talents. “Some people overlook or don’t know what they’re good at. It’s important to look at [that]. People think that they’re passion or they’re skill or they’re gift needs to be this big, elaborate or has to be something that has never been seen or heard before [and it doesn’t]. If we take those little things and nourish it and feed it, it grows into something more. We take advantage of little things. You never know what it’s going to be. And if you don’t know what you’re good at, ask the people around you. It may be something you never looked into.”

What is your intention behind what you do?

Singh says “Your intentions will always lead the way because your heart in it. Your intentions are going to guide you. That’s why I always talk about vision boards. That your intention, you get to see it. Who am I in this? Who’s my audience? And how bad do I want to succeed?”

Am I ready to give it my all?

It’s impossible to be successful and not give it 100 percent. Singh mentions that entrepreneurship will cost the blood, sweat, tears and the good times, which is why your intention, your why, is vital. Is the project you’ve invested your energy in worth it?

Am I ready to fail my way to the top?

Believe it or not, failure plays a vital role when it comes to achieving success. It shows us what didn’t work and how we can solve the equation and do better next time around. Even Singh says she looks forward to failure. “In my head, I’m so big. I’m ready to get the kinks out. I have to fail. I have to hurry and get these kinks out. I need to know, so I can get on the next level. I look forward to failing. Not because I want to mess it up, but when I’m going into something I know it’s not going to be perfect because I haven’t done certain things before.”

When asked why are people scared of failure she says, “It’s because we name it failure, but it isn’t failure, it’s success. Every failure is a success. Now, we know what doesn’t work — that is successful. Just because it didn’t work now, [it may mean] not right now. It was premature. Every failure is a success.”

Singh ends the interview off by saying whether you may or may not know the answers to the previous questions it’s important to “Love yourself through it. Forgive yourself through it. Support yourself through it. Teach and learn yourself through it.”

If you’re interested in one-on-one life coaching counseling, Stacey can be reached at StaceySingh@gmail.com.