Our Story

Exantus’ life revolved around the food and the restaurant industry. However, she spent the better part of her life running away from it due to embarrassment. Before we get into what she deemed embarrassing, let’s dive into her history and what led her to starting her own brand despite her attempts to escape.

The Origin 

Born to a Caribbean [Haitian] mother as first-generation Americans in Miami, Florida. Linda was the second child of six children. Very early in life she lived on the property of her aunt’s restaurant. There was a modest home attached to the back side of the real estate. This is where she learned the basics of food, food storage, cleanliness, and more. Years after closure of the restaurant and moving away, Exantus mother needed to earn additional income to survive post-divorce. This is where her mother began selling Haitian food from home to the neighbors, church members and everyone who knew and could not resist. Her mother also catered events; as well as partnered with multiple local stores to sell candied nuts, coconut, sesame, and more. She has maintained her business relationships with these establishments till this very day. During this time, in Exantus pre teenage years, if her mother was not present for an order, she would take over the business to ensure her mother would not lose out on the income unprompted. This surprised her mother but bonded them.

Birth of Cause 

Between pre-school and teen years, Exantus’ mother and aunt would periodically cook full mouth-watering Haitian dishes to feed the homeless. Although too young to understand the severity of the cause, she knew people were in need and something needed to be done. She spent her childhood wondering and dreaming of ways to get people off the street and to no longer starve. From those days forward, Exantus continued the fight well into adulthood using personal funds or a percentage of her proceeds. It is a cause she holds dear to heart.

Brand

     Exantus is primarily an e-commerce goods vendor: seasoning, condiment, tea, sweet indulges, and nuts. Exantus also provides services such as supportive writing assistance for those who require support in school, writing a college paper, assistance passing state reading and writing exams as well as their GED. Exantus fills in the gap of areas of concerns in English Language Arts. Like any growing brand, Exantus is responsible for overseeing many roles and departments.

Outside the e-commerce brand, Exantus, is an owner to one rental property. She also sponsors a young teen featured on her site: Riyah Starr Collection.

Career

          Exantus has been in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) for eighteen years. She has worked pre-hospital, emergency room, school clinics, and traveled abroad in her career. She has also taught six grade English Language Arts for a short period of years earning extra income with a charter middle school. 

The Failed Escape 

Exantus grew up in church and attended public schools. During her adolescent years when one develops and becomes aware and learning self, Exantus began to get a surge of church and school mates sniffing her. Her peers sat next to her and would pull in the loudest whiff and exhale. They would say she smelled good like food or try to guess which type of dish she smelled of. For example: fried chicken and pikliz, “taso” (fried then stewed turkey), “grio” (fried pork), stew goat, legume (puree vegetable over rice and black bean sauce), and more. Due to the surge in her peer’s habit, she became embarrassed and found her first escape -the marching band. Exantus wanted nothing to do with food the way she was involved with it previously. This was one of many reasons she attended as many activities as possible in high school to get away from the business. As a young adult she began to slowly fall back in love with food. Her monthly game nights were infamous for her flavors amongst her peers. She would even cook for her colleagues. Raising two kids of her own, she began making special dishes for them. She can’t deny she loves food and flavors. Now, she wants to share it with you.

Vision 

To become a household name with affordable and versatile products. To help others like Exantus’ thrive with affordable options and opportunity.