Lydia – Caterer in France
Today, I am financially independent and proud of how far I have come. My next goal is to open an Ethiopian grocery store, where I can offer my takeaway dishes and share even more of my culinary culture. I want to show my children that with perseverance, anything is possible.
My name is Lydia Habtamu. I arrived from Ethiopia in 2009 with the dream of becoming independent. Cooking has always been a natural fit for me: my mother was a cook, and I always helped her. After several experiences as a kitchen assistant, I decided to start my own business and become a caterer. In 2023, I joined the DSDA training program, which allowed me to acquire the skills I needed to start my own business: calculating my costs, setting my prices, and creating communication tools.
From idea to success
Thanks to the association, I found a catchy name: “Lucy, cuisine d’Éthiopie” (Lucy, Ethiopian cuisine), created a Facebook page and flyers, and, most importantly, received support with all the administrative and accounting procedures. The DSDA network also helped me land my first contracts. Today, I am an independent caterer, working to order and at markets in Lyon. My business allows me to make a living from my passion, while balancing my life as a mother.
An even more ambitious future
Today, I am financially independent and proud of how far I have come. My next goal is to open an Ethiopian grocery store, where I can offer my takeaway dishes and share even more of my culinary culture. I want to show my children that with perseverance, anything is possible.
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