A Dream in Bloom​

As a young woman, Cynthia found inspiration in something simple yet powerful. “I’ve always loved perfumes,” she remembers. “My mother bought me a bottle of designer perfume for my 16th birthday. I love the magic of fragrance and how it can transport you to a beautiful field of flowers in Europe or the Caribbean.”​

That passion became purpose in 1982 in the Bahamas, when she launched Tiv as The Designer Fragrance of the Caribbean. “The launch party was so exciting. The press support was great, and even the Prime Minister’s wife attended. It was a marvelous time.”​

With her next move in mind, Cynthia set her sights on the U.S. market. She made history as the first small business in the country to launch a fragrance in a major department store. During the 1990s, Tiv sold successfully in 64 branches of the department store now known as Macy’s.​

​

From Fragrance to Frontrunner​

After years of retail success, Cynthia took her vision online to increase the bottom line by selling directly to customers. “In 2012, we launched Tiv Perfume online with a fabulous website,” she recalls. The move opened new possibilities. “We did reasonably well for a new fragrance and developed a loyal customer base.”​

Still, she knew she needed expert support to grow her online presence. That next step came through Ascendus.

A Defining Connection​

In 2018, Cynthia met Fabiana Estrada from Ascendus. Seeking to expand her online reach, she used the loan funds to hire a marketing consultant and strengthen Tiv Perfume’s digital visibility through search engine optimization (SEO).​

“The funds we received really catapulted us in terms of our success with online sales,” she recalls. “It was an amazing time for us.”​

Through access to capital and one-on-one financial coaching, Cynthia’s business flourished. “We were able to make our loan payments on time and at the same time grow exponentially. We really became an online success.”​

To this day, she values that trusted relationship. “Every time I reach out to Fabiana, she always responds,” Cynthia shares. “It has been one of my most treasured business relationships, and we never forget how important that loan was for us.”​

​

Expanding Horizons​

In 2020, Cynthia expanded her company, Ocean (Caribbean) Distributors, Inc., to include federal contracting. “We had already been manufacturing lotions, gels, and sanitizers, so when the pandemic came, we thought, why not give this a try?”​

That decision led to new milestones. “It led us to our first contract with the National Institutes of Health,” she says proudly. “Over the past three years, we’ve fulfilled more than 15,000 units of product across the U.S. and the Caribbean.”

​

The Impact of Her Journey​

• Business Impact: Ocean (Caribbean) Distributors, Inc. has fulfilled more than 15,000 product units over the past three years across the U.S. and the Caribbean, expanding its operations and strengthening both its e-commerce and contracting divisions.​
• Household Impact: Access to flexible capital allowed Cynthia to stabilize operations, reinvest in innovation, and sustain her long-term financial independence.​
• Community Impact: By engaging consultants, contractors, and production specialists, Cynthia supports professional opportunities and representation for women entrepreneurs.​

Cynthia’s evolution from fragrance entrepreneur to federal contractor reflects a constant pursuit of excellence. “It has been a marvelous journey for us,” she says. “If we ever find ourselves in need again, I would go back to Ascendus.”​

Her story demonstrates how perseverance and access to the right tools can redefine what is possible.