OUR BRAND STORY

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The Couvent Collective was born out of a profound respect for history, a passion for empowerment, and a vision for the future. Founded by Kim M. Braud, a lifelong advocate for community building and entrepreneurial success, The Couvent Collective draws inspiration from the courageous legacy of Marie Couvent, a free woman of color in New Orleans who dedicated her life to education and opportunity. Much like Marie Couvent, we are driven by the belief that lasting change starts by providing the resources, education, and support that empower individuals to build sustainable futures.

At its core, The Couvent Collective is more than a business—it is a social enterprise with a commitment to fostering growth in industries that have long been the backbone of opportunity: transportation, manufacturing, and the trades. With a unique focus on serving women, veterans, and underserved communities, The Couvent Collective offers a comprehensive platform for business development, skills training, and financial empowerment. From our digital resource center and specialized bootcamps to our forthcoming CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution), we are reimagining what it means to have access, support, and success in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Our work is grounded in the communities we serve. Headquartered in New Orleans, with a footprint in Atlanta, The Couvent Collective is dedicated to uplifting local economies by providing the tools and resources that bridge gaps in access and opportunity. Through partnerships with community organizations, workforce development programs, and educational institutions, we create pathways for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. This is more than our mission—it is our promise to the communities we proudly serve.

Looking to the future, we are preparing to launch The Couvent Collective CDFI in 2026, a hybrid for-profit and nonprofit institution dedicated to providing tailored financial support for small businesses in transportation, manufacturing, and logistics. By offering grants, microloans, and financial education, the CDFI will deepen our commitment to underserved communities, empowering them to thrive in industries that have historically lacked funding support. This structure allows us to balance purpose and profit, ensuring that our impact remains as sustainable as it is meaningful.

The Couvent Collective represents more than a vision for economic empowerment; it’s a movement to honor heritage, cultivate resilience, and build legacies. Just as Marie Couvent’s spirit lives on in the heart of New Orleans, our collective efforts are a testament to her legacy—a promise to future generations that they, too, will have the opportunity to create, grow, and succeed.

Whether through our Box Truck Lady Bootcamp, the Fleurty Wick Chandler Academy, or our Business Bootcamp for manufacturing, The Couvent Collective is redefining access to resources for entrepreneurs nationwide. With every workshop, mentorship session, and business development tool we offer, we are building a collective future rooted in empowerment, resilience, and the belief that opportunity should know no bounds.

Together, we are The Couvent Collective: honoring the past, empowering the present, and creating a future of limitless possibility.