Meet Kelly Desmangles

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly Desmangles a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I am proud to say I owe my strong work ethic to my parents, who immigrated to the United States in the late 1960s without knowing a word of English. Despite the challenges they faced, they worked tirelessly to build a life for themselves and their three children, never letting obstacles define their future. Through perseverance, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in the value of hard work, they achieved their version of the American Dream. Their journey taught me the importance of resilience, determination, and pushing forward no matter the odds—values that continue to shape the way I approach my own life and career.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

As a first-generation Haitian-American, I had the unique opportunity to blend my family’s rich Haitian heritage with American culture—where food played a central role in celebrating both.

One of my favorite dishes to share was Haitian “pikliz,” a spicy vegetable slaw bursting with bold, vibrant flavors. For many, it was an entirely new experience, and the response was always the same: “You should package and sell this!” Inspired by these words and my desire to share Haiti’s dynamic flavors with the world, I took the leap into entrepreneurship.

We started with a single product—the original Pikay Fire Slaw, our take on Haitian pikliz—which quickly became a local favorite. Encouraged by customer feedback, we expanded our offerings to include three different heat levels and are now actively developing new products to grow our lineup.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would have to say that the three most impactful qualities in my journey as a food entrepreneur have been resilience, adaptability, and a deep passion for sharing Pikay Slaws (Haitian Pikliz) with the world. Resilience helped me push through challenges, from production hurdles to market competition. Adaptability allowed me to pivot when needed, whether in branding, distribution, or customer feedback. And passion kept me motivated—it’s what drives me to perfect my products and share them with the world.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to stay persistent, listen to your customers, and never stop learning. Entrepreneurship is full of ups and downs, so resilience is key. Adaptability comes from being open to feedback and making smart adjustments. And passion? That’s what keeps you going when things get tough—so make sure you truly believe in what you’re building!

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

One of the biggest challenges we face is educating people about what Pikay Fire, Mild, Death Slaws are and how to use them. Since Haitian pikliz is still unfamiliar to many, customers often need guidance on how to incorporate it into their meals. To overcome this, we focus on engaging content, in-store demos, and social media education. We create recipes, videos, and posts that show how versatile Pikay Slaws are—whether as a topping for tacos, burgers, and sandwiches or as a flavorful side for grilled meats and rice dishes. Additionally, we participate in farmers’ markets, food festivals, and sampling events to give people a firsthand taste. By making education a priority, we’re turning curiosity into excitement and growing a community of Pikay fans!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pickledpepperpeople.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickledpepperpeople/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickledpepperpeople/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/pickledpeppeep
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pickledpepperpeople?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc