Randy Lafontaine
By Nyus Alfred
If you were to mention the term ‘hustler’ to someone on an average day, I’d bet a cheese and ham sandwich that their initial thought would be that of all the negative connotations attached to the word.
I mean I don’t really blame them because of the way the word has been thrown around to refer to everything that represents ‘bad’. If you ask me though, a hustler is definitely someone to admire.
My meaning of the often maligned word? A hustler is a person who is aggressively hard-working, who knows how to get around problems. A hustler is a go getter, one who never gives up, regardless of the challenges.
If you walk around Choiseul long enough, you will hear of a young man, who has found his passion as an entrepreneur, and who is inspiring the young people around him who look to him as a role model. Randy Lafontaine, from the community of Piaye, is the definition of a Hustler, a real one. He is a go getter!
When you mention Randy’s name in Choiseul, the first thing that would come to people’s mind is photography. Top Notch! Randy has made his name as one of the finest photographers in the south, if not THE finest.
Through his art he is able to allow people to indulge in mind blowing experiences, and allow their imaginations to take them to parts of the island that they’ve never set foot in. If you look up his Instagram profile you will visit every single beautiful attraction there is to offer in Saint Lucia and actually believe that you were there.
His photos speak to the adventurous souls, who have always been too busy to explore the best that nature has to offer. If you ask Randy, he will tell you that he does it because he loves it, and anyone who has seen him behind a camera would know exactly why. There is no place in St Lucia that he will not travel to, as he works not just to wow his clients, but also to satisfying his unending thirst to discover the full depth of his ability.
He has grown Top Notch Media into one of the most reliable and affordable photography brands around. His work has been featured by Luxury Lifestyle and Travel Blogger Angie Silver, and Travel Photographers and Lifestyle Bloggers Thomas Berolzheimer & Julia Engel. You need only look up his Instagram profile @islandwanderer758 and you will know why.
As impressive as his feats as a photographer are, Randy decided to develop that love into something which has the potential to have a far wider impact. His day job as an employee Ladera Resort, one of the finest in the Caribbean, helped Randy discover a love for Customer Service in the Tourism Industry.
I will make reference to the word ‘hustler’ again, because it was during his two year, eight month tenure at Ladera that he grew into the ultimate hustler. Can you imagine working six days a week and not taking a day off for yourself? Randy did not know the definition of an off day, as on his off days he was busier operating as a taxi driver, specializing in airport transfers for guests to both airports on the island.
A few transfers and he was ready to take it to the next step, with the formation of his second business venture, St Lucia Travel and Tours. The business provides a wide range of island tour and taxi services to guest, who are able to book via an online portal. This was so beautifully designed that it allows clients to personalize their trips as they see fit. Why hike Gros Piton at 6 am and call it a day when you can hike the piton, enjoy a beautiful sail up the west coast and drive down through the east of the island to taste some of that famous local bread from Dennery.
You plan it, Randy executes, flawlessly. He is so meticulous in his planning that he makes allowances for things that a normal tour director wouldn’t, and his trip advisor reviews serve as evidence to that claim. And yes, until recently, all this was done on his off days. He sets himself apart from all other tour operators in that he places just as much focus on booking tours with locals as he does with visitors.
With his relentless drive for excellence, whether it is in photography or tours, his selflessness is often overlooked. Randy organized St Lucia Tours and Travel in such a way that even if his services were booked while he was at work, his clients would not be disappointed as he simply had one of his fellow taxi drivers fill in for him. They certainly knew his reputation, and the quality of the service that they delivered was just as impeccable.
With word of the excellence offered by this young entrepreneur spreading rapidly both at home and abroad, Randy said goodbye to his day job at Ladera in September, to take on a role as full time Entrepreneur and Excellence in Service provider. Two successful small businesses at the age of 25; not bad at all, but he wouldn’t be a hustler unless he was still able to find time for something else.
Randy loves cars, he really does. He loves them just as much as he loves photography. Any opportunity he got, you would see him working on his car, not that it was ever dirty, but because he couldn’t help it. Every detail had to be perfect; every inch had to be spotless. With the hotel no longer taking the majority of his time, he was able to fuel that love for car detailing into his 3rd business venture, Top Notch Auto Detailing.
Top Notch Auto Detailing is a car maintenance and detailing service which leaves clients in awe after work is finished on their vehicles. The service locations are flexible, and clients can come to his base in Piaye, or have him come to them. Randy has taken the art of auto detailing to a whole new level, and he has personalized the service masterfully to fulfill every need of his clients.
Randy stands out because he has demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness in managing these three businesses. His clients absolutely love him, which is evident by the wonderful reviews via social media and trip advisor. He believes in service excellence, and his work undoubtedly speaks for itself. While the businesses are still growing, he provides opportunities for young people to receive part time income from them.
He also volunteers the resources of his photography business to nonprofit organizations whenever called upon. Sporte Avis, which is a regional entity focused on promotingyouth in sports, has benefited from Randy’s generosity, and he has made a commitment to keep working with them. He is also open to mentoring young photographers and entrepreneurs in his community.
Randy is inspired by what he does, and in turn inspires the young people around him. He has a vision to develop his brand further, and given sufficient time and the right resources, he is capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to.
A young man with an unmatched drive to perfect his crafts, and to inspire those around him; He is a hustler. When you have an idea, or you are faced with a problem that you just cannot see a solution to, just think of Randy, and you will realize that every challenge is an opportunity to bring out the best in yourself.
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