We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sametra Billiot a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sametra, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from the challenges I’ve faced over the years, particularly surviving Hurricane Katrina and starting my business from the ground up. In 2005, my family and I lost everything. At the time, I was a senior in high school. While most individuals my age was dreaming about the joys of their final high school year, I didn’t have the opportunity to dream; I was solely in survival mode, which lasted for many years to come. When our entire city was destroyed, we had to try to rebuild our lives from scratch in another city hundreds of miles away. We did not know anyone, jobs were scarce, and everything I had grown to be consider normal was no longer my reality. That experience alone taught me how to adapt, persevere, and keep moving forward, no matter how difficult things seemed.
Later, after graduating college and struggling to find a job in my degree field, I turned to my creativity and resourcefulness to build LeFleur Creations. My grandmother has always been crafty, and much like most grandparents, she insisted I help her with anything she was making around the house. She is solely responsible for teaching me the importance of focusing in on the smallest detail in every task. I started LeFleur Creations as a side hustle, but with determination, it eventually evolved into a thriving business all because I refused to give up. Resilience, to me, is about finding strength in adversity, believing in yourself even when things feel uncertain, and always pushing forward with purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My focus is on building LeFleur Creations, and spreading the joy of Second Lines across America. We ship worldwide. With so many orders and requests, we understand how this joyous occasion is highly sought out in many celebrations all over the world. At LeFleur Creations, we create custom Second Line handkerchiefs for events like weddings, funerals, corporate celebrations, and more. In New Orleans culture, the Second Line is more than just a parade—it’s a tradition filled with joy, remembrance, and togetherness. Over the years, what was once a solidarity in New Orleans culture, has now become a popular tradition that can be seen all over the world. Being a part of something that has grown in such magnitude, and creates a lasting impression is truly special.
What excites me most about my work is knowing that these handkerchiefs aren’t just event favors; they’re keepsakes that hold memories for a lifetime. When people wave them in celebration or remembrance, they’re creating moments that will be cherished for decades. It’s an honor to contribute to something so meaningful. Knowing that I’ve worked diligently to create a custom item, with big impact, is something I cherish. Becoming a part of someone’s most cherished milestones is incredibly fulfilling!
What sets LeFleur Creations apart is that we don’t just offer pre-selected designs like many other companies—we create fully customized handkerchiefs that reflect the personality, style, and vision of our customers. Whether it’s matching invitations and stationery designs, incorporating a custom logo, or even adding personal images, we bring each client’s unique idea to life at no additional charge.
Every event is special, and we believe the details should be just as unique as the people celebrating. Our goal is to provide meaningful keepsakes that truly represent the occasion and leave a lasting impression.
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?
The three qualities that define me as a business owner are financial expertise, a commitment to learning, and determination.
First, with a Master’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management, I have the ability to strategically run my business. I create financial forecasts, stay within budget, and know when to invest or cut costs to ensure long-term success. Proper planning is key—not just for growth, but for maintaining the consistency that my customers love.
Second, I believe in always learning. Growth comes from listening—whether it’s advice from other business owners or direct feedback from customers. Being open to learning means I’m always improving, adapting, and finding new ways to serve my clients better.
Finally, my strongest quality is determination. When things get tough, or the economy takes a huge hit, I try to remain focused on ways to overcome the adversity. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down weddings and large events, many businesses in my industry went under, forcing them to close down or go bankrupt. After the pandemic, we had to get back to the basics and focus on new ways to grow and adapt. Even now, challenges arise, but giving up is never an option. My advice to others is simple: when times get tough, push through. You never know what’s on the other side of the breakthrough.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Over the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been in strategic decision-making and scaling my business more efficiently. This past year has challenged me to make even smarter choices through marketing, budgeting, pricing, and expanding our offerings. I’ve learned to analyze data more deeply to better market my products, more efficiently predict trends, manage costs more effectively, and ensure that every decision aligns with both short-term stability and long-term growth.
Another major area of improvement has been in strengthening customer relationships. I’ve focused more on understanding exactly what my customers want and how to enhance their experience with LeFleur Creations. This has led to refining our customization process and making it even easier for customers to bring their vision to life.
Growth, to me, is about evolving while staying true to my mission. The past year has taught me that with the right mindset and adaptability, there’s always room to improve and serve my customers better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LeFleurCreations.com
- Instagram: @LeFleurCreations
- Facebook: LeFleur Creations
Image Credits
@LaurenHolubPhotography
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