Do not be misled by her stern appearance; Magguie Rigaud doesn't bite. She is the gracious host who ensures your satisfaction. Even as business declines and restaurants become increasingly empty due to the security situation, the proprietress remains steadfast at her post, awaiting better days. On this Saturday when she receives us in her restaurant adorned with photographs of prominent figures from both Haitian and international music, Mrs. Rigaud adds the finishing touches in anticipation of the arrival of customers for her traditional buffet. For this businesswoman, there's no thought of abandoning ship. "We must continue to dream, believe in what we do or in the initiatives we want to undertake, pursue our desires," says the woman who ventured into entrepreneurship from a young age.

It was in Jérémie, the town where she grew up, that Magguie Rigaud first dabbled in commerce. She must have been seven years old, but she was already selling mangoes, almonds, and even kitchen towels that she made herself, having learned to sew by watching her mother, who was a seamstress. "I was raised with a strong work ethic and a sense of respect. When you acquire these values from childhood, they contribute to shaping who you become," Mrs. Rigaud explains.