Happy Mother’s Day from our Dulcedo family to yours! This year, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the strong women behind the men of Dulcedo and find out who Karim S. Leduc, Benjamin Carter, and Karim Rekik were before they became the backbone of this company. Read on to hear from two perspectives… a mother’s and a child’s.
Danielle Leduc, Mother of Karim S. Leduc
What was Karim like as a child?
Karim was the most wonderful, loving, little boy. All the mothers would mention how they wished their kids were like him. He would be playing in the park with his friends and all of a sudden, he would leave the game, run to me, kiss me and tell me that he loved me. No other child did that. I was so blessed and always wished upon pregnant mothers to be blessed with a little Karimie!
What did you think he'd grow up to be?
I knew he was born to accomplish great things— which he did and he’s not done! Karim has an expansive, dignified, old soul. He understands life and people on a very deep level. His accomplishments are not for him alone, they are for the collective and for the good of all.
What was your biggest happiness as a mother? What was your biggest struggle?
Watching Karim thrive.
Making ends meet and making sure to provide him with all the necessities for him to be happy.
What has motherhood taught you?
Motherhood has taught me that true and pure love does exist. It taught me that I mattered.
What is your favorite past Mother's Day memory?
When Karim surprised me with a wild parachuting jump day! Oh my God! Crazy boy!
What is the best gift that Karim gave you?
Deep, unconditional love.
How do you feel about your son being the CEO in a successful and international company?
I feel great happiness and I’m very proud of him. Karim is very dedicated and loyal to his partners and team.
Did you ever have any doubts in his career path or journey? Why or why not?
Never! Because Karim does not do things haphazardly. Everything he does is well thought out. Even when he takes risks, the risks and benefits are weighed first.
What was the hardest lesson that you knew your son had to learn but you didn't want him to experience?
Well, there’s really nothing that I don’t want him to experience. Because only through hard experiences do we learn valuable lessons. I’m here to support, not to prevent. And as far as his toughest lesson to learn, it was to not be materialistic. It’s great to acquire beautiful things. Just don’t get attached to them. Things come and things go. You’ve got to be able to let go when it’s time.
What is your wish for this Mother's Day?
Health, wealth, and continued success for Dulcedo.
Karim S. Leduc, CEO of Dulcedo
What has your mother taught you in regards to being a man?
A lot. She always encouraged me to be the man that I truly want to be, and that's certainly changed as I progressed in life. Not only did she share what a man should be, she has also shown me through her own experience what a man shouldn't be, which has served as a guiding principle for me.
What has your mom taught you in terms of who you have grown to be in your career?
My mother is my best friend and my guide. Her perspective on all of my most critical decisions have always been discussed openly with her, whether personal or professional. She's taught me confidence in my decision making abilities and to trust myself in times of doubt.
What was the single best piece of advice that your mother has ever given you?
To disregard what other people think of me, or my life's important decisions.
What is your favorite childhood memory with your mom?
Watching 911 emergency television shows on the living room floor, cuddled up in her loving arms.
What is something you want your mom to hear this Mother's Day?
You're my best friend, an amazing guide and the person I care for the most in this world. Mom, I love you!
Tracey Carter, Mother of Benjamin Carter
What was Ben like as a child?
From an early age, Ben loved sports— cricket, soccer. skiing, tennis, and rugby to name a few. With lots of friends from nursery school upwards. He was happy, confident and loved his animals. He enjoyed travelling and lots of music and was never afraid of exploring new things.
What did you think he'd grow up to be?
His own man. His personality, confidence and ability to engage with people, I always knew he would be a success in whatever career path he followed.
What was your biggest happiness as a mother? What was your biggest struggle?
Seeing Ben happy and loving his life gives me immense happiness.
Being a single working mother 34 years ago.
What has motherhood taught you?
I was stronger, more capable and more driven than I had previously thought possible. And despite my son being in his thirties, I still have an overwhelming need to protect him, which I now know never goes away!
What is your favorite past Mother's Day memory?
Breakfast in bed, made by Ben along with a handmade card that I still have and some flowers he had picked from the garden.
What is the best gift that Ben gave you?
Not too long ago, I was ill and needed to return to the U.K. for medical treatment. Ben took care of everything including getting me, my dog and cat to England, where I received the medical treatment that saved my life.
How do you feel about your son being a partner in a successful and international company?
Couldn’t be prouder, seeing all the hard work he has done over the last few years. He deserves the recognition he is receiving. I have no doubt that his success will continue to even greater things.
Did you ever have any doubts in his career path or journey? Why or why not?
I have never doubted Ben’s ability. My first job was as a Booker for a model agency, then as a director of an international company – Ben’s journey, up to now, is similar but I know he will far exceed the achievements I had.
What was the hardest lesson that you knew your son had to learn but you didn't want him to experience?
Dealing with the loss of family.
What is your wish for this Mother's Day?
That Ben is with me, helping me build my animal sanctuary in Spain.
Benjamin Carter, Director of Dulcedo Digital
What has your mother taught you in regards to being a man?
Given that my mother was a single mother for a good portion of my upbringing, I would say that she taught me to not rely on anyone else and to only rely on myself. She instilled that from a very early age and it is something that I hold onto and I will educate my children with the same mindset.
What has your mom taught you in terms of who you have grown to be in your career?
I saw my mother work tirelessly as a kid and somehow balance being a mum and an entrepreneur. I guess the biggest thing she taught me was to give respect and earn respect. I saw my mother in her work environment, and as a successful woman, we all know there are so many hurdles to overcome but it always seemed like my mother had the respect of everyone around her which made her journey to success easier.
What was the single best piece of advice that your mother has ever given you?
Always make sure you have good shoes!
What is your favorite childhood memory with your mom?
I would say her commitment. She never really let me see the hardships but given my upbringing and the expenses that come with private school, school trips, vacations, clothes, etc., she really had to work hard to provide, which looking back, I think it’s my favorite memory knowing the amount of work she had to put in to provide that kind of lifestyle.
What is something you want your mom to hear this Mother's Day?
People always say that you are a product of your environment, so I think she did a very good job at providing one for me growing up which I am thankful for. Love you Trace!
Latifa Rekik, Mother of Karim Rekik
What was Karim like as a child?
Karim was very curious as a child. He was asking 100,000 questions and would not stop until he would get an answer.
What did you think he'd grow up to be?
A great man for sure. I think I did a good job at raising him! In terms of work, I did not have anything specific in mind. Just wanted him to be successful and happy.
What was your biggest happiness as a mother? What was your biggest struggle?
His education. Karim worked a lot and I am happy to see that he has accomplished so much at a young age. We made many sacrifices to make sure that he could study whatever he wanted. University is an investment. Most people don’t know this but he has four university diplomas.
Biggest struggle with him was not being able to answer all his questions. That is what happens when your kid asks too many questions! Also, another struggle was dealing with his multiple injuries. For example, he would play sports and come back with a broken limb or shoulder!
What has motherhood taught you?
That the love of a mother for her child is the most beautiful and the strongest form of love. It is crazy what you can do for your child, to protect them or raise them.
What is your favorite past Mother's Day memory?
One day Karim prepared a breakfast for me on Mother’s Day. Woke up super early, prepared everything and almost burnt down the house while doing it! He stole a flower from the neighbour’s garden to put it on the breakfast tray. Overall, it looked very good and I was happy to see all the trouble he went through to prepare it for me with a little card. I loved it!
What is the best gift that Karim gave you?
His success in what he does.
His presence by my side.
His listening and his time.
I love him too much! He is my gift!
But I still think that he will keep surprising me and I am still waiting for the BEST BEST gift!
How do you feel about your son being partner in a successful and international company?
I am very proud of him. He works a lot and almost never takes vacations but it is paying off.
Did you ever have any doubts in his career path or journey? Why or why not?
No. The good thing about him is that he's capable of doing whatever he wants. So if that's what he desires to do in his life, then I am happy and proud of him.
What was the hardest lesson that you knew your son had to learn but you didn't want him to experience?
Failure. Even if you want to protect your child, failure is a part of the growth process. You need to fail, in order to surpass yourself. That is what happened to him and there he is, overcoming these challenges one by one. May the good God protect him!
What is your wish for this Mother's Day?
To spend more time with him. Life goes so fast and his rhythm is intense! Wishing him more and more success and success for Dulcedo, and health and happiness in his personal and professional life. That would be the best gift.
Karim Rekik, Director at Dulcedo
What has your mother taught you in regards to being a man?
Respecting others. I was raised by an amazing woman that taught me respect, good manners and kindness. Can’t thank her enough for this because she raised me well.
What has your mom taught you in terms of who you have grown to be in your career?
Never give up and be proud of what you've accomplished.
The first part is easy as I am a workaholic, so never giving up is sometimes a curse and sometimes a blessing. The second part is harder for me. Since I never feel fulfilled, I’ll always try to push things further and never take the time to reflect on what was accomplished so far.
What was the single best piece of advice that your mother has ever given you?
To live life fully. I don’t know if this will make sense but at one point, my mom realized that we should really enjoy every moment and make the best out of it— even if the situation might not be enjoyable. You will always learn something. If it's a bad situation, you will learn a lesson. If it’s a good situation, you will have an amazing memory.
What is your favorite childhood memory with your mom?
My mom and I used to go together, once a year, to St. Maarten and St. Barth and that was really a special moment— just for the two of us.
What is something you want your mom to hear this Mother's Day?
I will never be able to thank you enough for everything you taught me and for the love and support you give me every day, Mom!
