Community Highlights: Meet Julie Colombino-Billingham of Deux Mains

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Colombino-Billingham.

Hi Julie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story really began long before I ever imagined becoming an entrepreneur. It started with incredible loss in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. I immediately deployed to the island nation as a disaster response volunteer, thinking I would stay for a few weeks. But when I arrived, I experienced thing that would change me forever. Devastation and resilience in the same breath was the heartbeat of the Haitian response and it inspired me to think, and act differently. I knew I wanted to be part of the long-term recovery. Then one day, a Haitian woman looked me in the eye and said, “I don’t want a bottle of water, I want a job.” and I realized that sustainable change doesn’t come from charity alone; it comes from dignified work and opportunity. I decided I wasn’t leaving Haiti until I figured out how to help create that.

I had no background in manufacturing or fashion design, but I saw there was an incredible talent that could be tapped into on the island. So I listened, I learned, and I stayed. Alongside incredibly talented Haitian artisans, we started manufacturing sandals out of repurposed tires. It was humble, scrappy, and full of heart. For years we sold our sandals to relief workers, United Nations staffers and anyone that visited our little enterprise. That small project eventually grew into Deux Mains, a fair-trade leather goods company built to create long-term jobs in Haiti.

Fifteen years later, we’ve grown from a tiny workshop to a full-scale solar-power factory producing high-quality, chic leather handbags sold around the world. We’ve created hundreds of jobs, weathered political unrest, natural disasters, economic instability, and honestly, more challenges than I ever imagined. But Haiti has taught me resilience in its purest form. Its people have shaped me, pushed me, and inspired me.

My book, From Loss to Legacy, came from that journey. It’s part memoir and part love letter to both the people of Haiti and to the clients who have become a part of this journey. My “success,” if you can call it that, has never been linear. It’s been built from grief, grit, faith, and the belief that one small step forward can change a life, sometimes your own.

Today, I continue leading Deux Mains while sharing this story with others. My goal is simple: to show that loss can become a new beginning, and that purpose-driven entrepreneurship can transform communities in powerful ways. I am very honored to speak with you because I feel our story, in a lot of ways, is very LA: it’s scrappy, creative, mission-driven, and built on the belief that you can turn heartbreak into something beautiful.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth? Not even close. My road has had more twists than a Haitian mountain path, and every single one has shaped me. Building a business in Haiti means navigating realities most entrepreneurs never face: political instability, fuel shortages, hurricanes, earthquakes, supply-chain breakdowns, and days when getting materials across town felt like a miracle. There were moments when I wasn’t sure we’d survive the week, let alone grow.

And then there’s the personal side, leading a team while learning everything from scratch, raising money as a woman founder, and creating world-class products in a country the world too often overlooks. We’ve had shipments stuck at the border, machinery break before big orders, and days when our artisans couldn’t safely travel to work due to unrest.

But despite all of that, or maybe because of it, the beauty of what we create became even more meaningful. Every single bag or accessory is proof that something exquisite can come from a place fighting through so much. Craftsmanship is the heartbeat of Deux Mains. The products aren’t just beautiful, they carry the story of resilience in their stitching and prove the power of our purchases can make a difference in the world.

Haiti taught me resilience in a way no MBA program ever could. Every challenge forced us to innovate. Every setback deepened our commitment to dignified jobs. And every time we got knocked down, we got back up because families were counting on us.

The struggles were real, but so were the victories. And it’s in that tension, that constant choosing to keep going, that Deux Mains and honestly, I were built.

As you know, we’re big fans of Deux Mains . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Deux Mains is a luxury leather goods brand with a radically different heartbeat. We design and handcraft high-quality handbags and accessories in Haiti, using sustainable materials and creating dignified jobs for artisans, especially women.

We’re known for two things: Beautiful craftsmanship and ethical production that actually changes lives. Our factory and everything we produce are Fair Trade verified made in our own solar-powered factory in Port-au-Prince. That’s almost unheard of in the fashion world as most “ethical” brands outsource their impact. We built ours from scratch. Our team earns living wages, receives benefits, and works in a safe, supportive environment, something far too rare in global manufacturing.

What sets us apart? We refuse to choose between beauty and impact. Our bags are designed to compete with top luxury brands, and many customers are shocked to learn they’re made in Haiti. That reaction is part of what drives us, we want to rewrite the narrative about Haitian craftsmanship. The talent, artistry, and attention to detail our team brings to the work is world-class. We also prioritize sustainability, from locally and responsibly sourced leathers and renewable energy, we’re committed to minimizing waste and maximizing purpose.

What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is this: Every bag tells a bigger story. It’s fashion that feels good, not just because it looks beautiful, but because you know who made it, how it was made, and the opportunities it creates. Our customers aren’t just buying a product; they’re investing in a woman’s ability to build her future.

For readers discovering us for the first time, here’s what I want you to know: Deux Mains is proof that ethical fashion can be truly luxurious. We offer premium handbags and accessories that are as durable as they are beautiful, crafted with intention, pride, and the belief that business can be a force for good.

If you’re someone who cares about quality, sustainability, and impact, I think you’ll fall in love with what we do.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about LA is its incredible mix of creativity, diversity, and possibility. This is a city that embraces reinvention and bold ideas. People come here to build something meaningful, to take risks, and to express themselves, and that spirit resonates deeply with me as an entrepreneur. LA celebrates craftsmanship, conscious consumption, and brands with purpose, which makes it such a natural home for Deux Mains.

In fact, many of our customers are from LA thanks to our partnership with Nordstrom. The support we’ve received here has been amazing. LA shoppers really appreciate the blend of luxury, sustainability, and story-driven design, and it’s been one of the most welcoming markets for our brand.

What I like least is probably the pace of life. It can feel like everyone is always “on.” Coming from years building a business in Haiti, where life is slower and more rooted in community, the constant hustle can feel overwhelming. And of course, the traffic doesn’t help. I think LA is at its best when people pause long enough to connect beyond the surface.

But overall, I’m inspired by LA. It’s a city where creativity, style, and impact live side by side and that balance is exactly what we strive for at Deux Mains.

Pricing:

• $59 -$399

Contact Info:

• Website: https://deuxmains.com
• Instagram: @deuxmains_official
• Facebook: DeuxMains
• Youtube: DeuxMains