Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Colombino-Billingham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Julie, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My journey to finding purpose didn’t begin with a business plan. It began in the aftermath of one of the most devastating natural disasters in modern history.
In January 2010, I landed in Haiti just days after the earthquake shattered the country. Within weeks of my deployment, Haiti opened my eyes and what I witnessed wasn’t just destruction. Amid the rubble and heartbreak, I saw extraordinary resilience. I met women who had lost everything, yet still showed up every day ready to rebuild their homes, their communities and their lives. And in doing so, they taught me about the kind of woman I wanted to be and the kind of life I wanted to have.
One woman changed the trajectory of my work in Haiti and ultimately my life. As I was in her tent camp hanging out supplies she said to me: “I don’t want a bottle of water. I need a job.”
That one sentence cut through everything I thought I understood about aid and development. She didn’t want charity. She wanted dignity. She wanted to provide for her children, to stand tall on her own two feet. It was in that moment that I found my purpose.
Deux Mains was born out of that realization, that real, lasting change happens when people are given the opportunity to work, to lead, and to create a better future with their own hands. I didn’t come to Haiti to start a business. But I stayed to build one. One that would train, employ, and empower Haitian artisans, using sustainable materials to craft beautiful, ethical products, each one a symbol of resilience, hope, and the power of dignified work.
My purpose was never to “save” anyone. It was to stand beside those who already had the strength and simply needed the opportunity. As a matter of fact, in finding my purpose, it was I who was saved.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
At Deux Mains, we design and craft Fair Trade leather goods, handbags and accessories for the export market, and leather school shoes for local Haitian children. All of our products are handmade in Haiti by artisans who earn a living wage in a safe, dignified work environment. Every product we make reflects a deeper purpose: to create beautiful, high-quality pieces while empowering the people who make them.
What excites me most is that every bag, accessory or school shoe tells a story of resilience and possibility. These aren’t just products, they’re symbols of what happens when business is built around people, planet, and purpose. We use ethically sourced materials like surplus leather in our 100% solar powered factory, ensuring that our impact is not only social but environmental too.
Right now, I’m especially proud of our newest initiative: the School Shoes Fund. For every Deux Mains handbag sold, a portion goes toward producing durable, handmade school shoes for vulnerable children in Haiti. These shoes aren’t donated from overseas, they’re made right here in our workshop by local artisans, keeping the impact circular and sustainable. Our goal is to provide 750 pairs of school shoes this year.
We’re also expanding our retail footprint with new boutique partnerships and working on a limited-edition collection that celebrates Haitian artistry through intricate, handwoven designs.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have had the greatest impact on my journey: resilience, humility, and the ability to listen deeply.
Resilience was essential. Building Deux Mains in a post-disaster context, in a country I wasn’t born in, with limited resources, tested me in every way. There were countless moments where giving up would have been easier. But purpose is a powerful fuel. If you’re early in your journey, know this: obstacles aren’t signs to stop. They’re invitations to grow stronger. Resilience is built through experience, by showing up again and again, even when it’s hard.
Humility kept me grounded. I didn’t come to Haiti with all the answers. In fact, it was the women I met who changed everything. They taught me what true strength and leadership look like. For anyone starting out, I’d say: stay curious, stay teachable. Surround yourself with people who challenge you and listen more than you speak.
And finally, listening, really listening was transformative. Not just to people’s words, but to their needs, their dreams, and their ideas. It’s what turned a relief trip into a lifelong mission. If you can learn to listen without agenda, you’ll build trust, and that’s the foundation of everything meaningful, whether you’re starting a brand, a community, or a movement.
Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. But if you lead with heart, stay humble, and don’t give up, you’ll find your purpose, often in the most unexpected places.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We love partnering with people and organizations who believe in ethical fashion, sustainable impact, and creating opportunity through dignified work. There are so many ways to collaborate with us, whether you’re a boutique owner, mission in Haiti, conscious consumer, stylist, nonprofit, or simply someone who wants to make a difference.
Mission/NGO/Schools in Haiti: Buy your school shoes from Deux Mains. Ensure your students have brand new leather, school approved shoes that are made in Haiti.
Retailers: If you run a store or boutique and are looking to offer handcrafted, fair trade leather goods with a meaningful story, we’d love to connect. Our wholesale program is growing and we’re always looking for aligned partners.
Brand Collaborations: We’re open to creative collaborations with like-minded brands or artists, whether that’s limited-edition collections, co-branded campaigns, or impact-driven partnerships.
Corporate Gifting: If your company is looking for meaningful, sustainable gifts, we offer custom gifting options that share our mission in a beautiful way.
Even just sharing our story helps. Every conversation, introduction, or social media post brings us one step closer to expanding our impact.
To get involved, you can reach out directly at Julie@deuxmains.com, follow us on Instagram @deuxmains_official, or simply start a conversation, we’d love to hear your ideas.
Together, we can reimagine what ethical business looks like.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deuxmains.com
- Instagram: deuxmains_official
- Facebook: @deuxmains
- Linkedin: @deuxmains
- Youtube: Deux Mains
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