Over the last few decades, the American Dream has been somewhat of an anomaly, with many variations of what it means depending on who you ask and the goal post ever-changing. For some, it means becoming a college-educated member of society on a path towards home-ownership, white picket fence and all. For others, it means achieving a life-long dream; one that represents resilience while overcoming a large feat. For Maïré Bavarday-Rosa, it’s an evergreen concept that continues to develop the more she strives towards her own version of success. From Guadeloupe, France to Atlanta, Georgia, Maïré’s journey proves that our vision for the future can sometimes mean building a path for others to follow.
Maïré’s journey starts from humble beginnings in her home country of Guadeloupe, a small French territory in the southern Caribbean Sea. Maïré believes her upbringing greatly influenced her path forward along with her perception of success.
“My background is very important because often people overlook us because we are French– we are Black French. People automatically think that life is easier for us because we’re French, but it’s not,” emphasizes Maïré.
While being raised in Guadeloupe offered no favors for Maïré, it only strengthened her deep desire to be in service of others. Upon leaving her home country at the tender age of 17, Maïré pursued a career in social work after studying Criminology in Canada. While there, she experienced her first taste of working for the greater good by helping young people transition away from street life and connecting them with tools and resources to land jobs and start small businesses.
“Helping these young people start their own business was the most exciting for them. Usually, if you do well doing illegal things in the street life, you’re likely to do well as an entrepreneur because it’s the same type of mindset and struggle,” reveals Maïré. “It’s very linked.”
Some could say that Maïré’s work with leading others to the path of entrepreneurship was an omen to her own destiny, however she had other plans for her future.
“I always knew I didn’t want to be an entrepreneur. Growing up, I watched my parents struggle to run their own business,” admits Maïré. “My parents also didn’t want me to be an entrepreneur, that’s why they sent me to Canada.”
But as life works, fate had other plans. Upon falling in love with the city of Atlanta during a layover visit, Maïré was so infected with the desire to be around Black excellence that she made her own move to the city in 2011 and never looked back. She realized that out of all the places she had planted roots, Atlanta was one of the only places she felt comfortable enough to spread her wings and fly. She instantly felt at home, which would set the stage for her own journey to come.
“I don’t want to live somewhere where it’s not exceptional to do great things and be Black,” says Maïré.
For Maïré, her journey to entrepreneurship happened completely by chance, perhaps the best foundation for an extraordinary success story. After ordering a pair of shoes she didn’t like, Maïré decided to sell them through Facebook. To her surprise, she received an outpouring of interest from friends in Guadeloupe and France, who couldn’t find similar styles locally, leading to an intense demand for these types of products. This prompted Maïré to start a Facebook page, listing products, handling payments, and learning the ropes of drop-shipping—all from her bedroom
As demand grew, Maïré launched a more formal parcel forwarding business, which allowed her clients to purchase goods from the United States and have them shipped to countries that lacked such fulfillment options.
“I quit my job and I was like, this is it, this has to work, states Maïré. “Mind you, I didn’t have any background in logistics and my English was still not all the way there but the business was growing. So much so, that I upgraded from my bedroom to the living room, then to the garage.”
Maïré was now a full-time entrepreneur with a growing client base. Maïré eventually was forced to move to a larger commercial space, which only intensified her journey. Although business was continuously growing, the isolation combined with Maïré’s lack of guidance caused her to make many missteps and lose significant amounts of money. Without a community or mentors to lean on, every decision felt like navigating in the dark.
“Back then, there weren’t many resources for someone like me—a Black, immigrant woman in business,” she explains. “It was only recently that I realized how essential it is to have a mentor or join an accelerator program. Guidance can make or break your business.”
Despite the many setbacks, Maïré stayed the course and continued to believe in herself, her mission and her vision for the future. The business became more than just a meal ticket for herself, but it blossomed into an opportunity for others to forge a path towards an expansive future.
In 2020, after years of building her network and capital, Maïré launched ECOMSPACES, a business incubator and fulfillment center designed to support other aspiring entrepreneurs. What started as sharing her space with entrepreneurs who couldn’t afford their own grew into a full-fledged business that now supports over 75 members with logistics, content creation, and mentorship.
Looking towards the future, Maïré’s ambitions are global. With her sights set on Africa, she aims to establish a supply chain hub in Ethiopia that will enable products to be manufactured and shipped directly to global markets. By building these connections, she hopes to disrupt the direct-to-consumer supply chain and empower African economies, a vision that’s fueled by her observations of untapped potential in emerging markets.
“Africa is filled with resources and talent,” Maïré explains. “I want to ensure that people in our communities don’t wait for others to step in and shape our economies. We can build and control our supply chains, with our own standards and pricing.”
For Maïré, balance doesn’t mean separating work from life—it’s about weaving them together. Her passion remains rooted in community support and helping others build their dreams. One of Maïré’s most rewarding moments came last year, when large logistics companies began adopting her efficiency-boosting processes. She also placed second in her first pitch competition, thanks to the Black Ambition program founded by Pharrell Williams, which helped her secure her first formal mentorship.
Maïré’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the necessity of building each other up as we climb. Maïré exemplifies what it means to persevere and build a destined path for others to follow.
For those starting out, she offers a simple piece of advice: “Ask, negotiate, and don’t be afraid of a ‘no.’ Each step brings you closer to your goal.” Maïré’s path is both a celebration of the American dream and a roadmap for those seeking to create impactful, community-centered businesses.
Stay connected with Maire Bavarday-Rosa:
- Website: www.ecomspaces.com
- Instagram: @maire.b.rosa
