FUENTE-SUAREZ CYNTHIA

THE FIRST LADY OF CIGARS, ARTURO FUENTE VICE PRESIDENT, OPENS HER HEART AND INTIMATE MEMORIES TO CIGARRO DOMINICANO MAGAZINE

Cynthia Fuente-Suarez is a Vice President of Arturo Fuente. She is a native to Tampa and has had residence throughout her life in West Tampa, Ybor, and the Dominican Republic. She was born into the cigar industry, the daughter to Carlos A. Fuente and the granddaughter to Arturo Fuente. She has been working in the family business as far back as she can remember, and she can’t imagine working in a better industry. A pioneer of the cigar industry, she is known as “The First Lady of Cigars”. She sits on the board of Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and along with the Fuente family, she’s an active supporter of the Boys

& Girls Club of Tampa Bay as well as other charitable foundations.

CIGARRO DOMINICANO: Cynthia Fuente was born into a tobacco family; we can say that you have belonged to the world of tobacco by inheritance since it was the day-to-day in your family. It was a natural decision to work and build a career in the family business or did you have other plans for your professional life?

CYNTHIA FUENTE-SUAREZ: I’m often asked how I started in the cigar industry, and I tell people I’ve been in the cigar industry since before I was born. My mother was a cigar roller with Cuesta-Rey Cigars lo hizo con nosotros. Mi madre nos adoraba y adoraba especialmente a sus nietos.

CD: Para finalizar esta interesante entrevista, ¿puedes compartir alguna recomendación valiosa para otras mujeres que quieran abrirse camino en este mercado?

CFS: El porcentaje de mujeres que fuman cigarros está aumentando rápidamente. La industria de los cigarros es muy acogedora, y siempre animo a las mujeres apasionadas por los cigarros o que quieren aprender a visitar los salones de cigarros, hablar con la gente y fumar cigarros. Cualquier mujer que ame la industria y esté dispuesta a dedicar su tiempo realmente tiene una excelente oportunidad. Tal vez incluso más que los hombres. La oportunidad está ahí para los que la quieren. A las mujeres que lo aman, ¡háganlo! Espero poder ser un ejemplo y una mentora para cualquier persona que desee orientación y ayuda a convertirse en parte de la industria.

Palabras de cierre in Ybor City, and she rolled cigars up until she was nine months pregnant with me. So, I wasn’t born yet and I was already surrounded by cigars.

Para terminar, agradezco a Josefina Pichardo y a Cigarro Dominicano por realizar esta maravillosa entrevista. Ha sido un honor hablar contigo y te deseo todo lo mejor y muchas, muchas bendiciones.

I always knew I wanted to work in the industry, but my father insisted and I wanted to go to college and get my education before I started with Arturo Fuente. If you knew my father, you know how much he encouraged education. So, after graduating from the University of South Florida with my bachelor’s degree in business and psychology, I started working in the family business in sales, traveling with our brokers around the United States. This was before we had a sales team and before we partnered with J.C. Newman where we agreed to provide them with cigars, and they would handle sales and distribution. I worked in sales for over 10 years and over those years I learned so much while traveling the country and working with the brokers. These brokers were all older gentlemen who had so much experience in the industry, and they shared so much of what they knew with me. I mean they were the real deal and old school to the bone. They wore their fancy hats, their three-piece suits, and perfectly shined shoes. These were the real classics I learned from. At the time, I was the only woman on the road selling for a cigar company, but as a woman, I have always felt welcomed, respected, and admired in the industry even when I was one of the few in it.

I can honestly say there’s nothing else I’ve ever dreamed of doing more than what

I do now. The opportunity to work alongside my wonderful father, Don Carlos Arturo Fuente, and my amazing brother, Carlos “Carlito” Fuente, is a blessing and I wouldn’t change it for anything. Growing up I witnessed my entire family working together.

CD: What is the area of the company that you enjoy the most?

CFS: I enjoy it all. There’s nothing I enjoy more than spending time with the beautiful people who love the cigar industry. I love being an ambassador to our industry. I’ve met so many wonderful, loving, and kind people over the years and I can honestly say getting to know and spending time with them has been one of the greatest parts of my journey. As my brother Carlito often says, “It’s not about the cigars. It’s about the people” and that is just so true. Without the people, who we are so grateful for, there’s no Arturo Fuente cigars.

Thinking back to the not-so-distant past, during the pandemic, we were still able to meet so many wonderful people through the Zoom Cigar Bar, podcasts, Facebook and Instagram live shows, and more! Many of these people we met over computer screens have become like family to us. I think that just shows that cigars always bring people together and I appreciate the industry so much for that.

I have a passion and love for tobacco and the industry. I’ve been fortunate enough to have participated in every aspect of the business from the fields to selling on the road. Some of my greatest moments were spent with my father, travelling to Connecticut every year to buy tobacco.

Additionally, we’ve been in the Dominican Republic since 1980. My brothers and I raised our children there and built our livelihood there. In the early 1990’s, we established Chateau de la Fuente which is truly the birthplace of a dream. The country is so beautiful, and I love the nature, the earth, the tobacco, the trees, the animals, the food, the people. It’s been a beautiful 40+ years there and it means so much to us. Such wonderful, wonderful memories.

CD: Can you share some recommendations to maintain good family relationships at work?

CFS: I love this question. I think valuing each other’s opinions is key. We each have different gifts and different talents. We need to listen to, respect one another, and honor that we are family even if there is a misunderstanding; however, you never talk down to your family or talk badly about your family. My brother, the family, and I live by that code.

Communication is extremely important. Poor communication is the Achilles Heel of any business. I remember my father and how he communicated. He was the example for myself and my family to communicate with one another. He was a natural communicator. If he had an issue with you or if he thought you had an issue with him it was a guarantee he was going to call you and handle it right there. Both my mother and my father were peacemakers in the family and they would listen to your side and the other to help you come to common ground. So, my biggest piece of advice would be to maintain the core values of respecting and honoring one another.

CD: Which learning experience have you inherited from your father that you continue to implement in your work?

CFS: My father, Don Carlos, was the most amazing man I’ve known, and I miss him so, so much. I learned so much from my father and one of his greatest traits was his humility. My father never forgot where he came from and the hard work, he and my grandfather, Arturo Fuente, the founder of our company, put in over so many years.

My father also had a lot of empathy and love for the older generation, like myself. My father always took care of the older employees who worked at the factory. I have a soft spot for the older generation and as I said before, one of the few other things I could have imagined myself doing was owning an assisted living facility simply because I love that generation.

He was also such a good listener and could truly understand a person when they spoke to him. When you had a conversation with him it was like no one else in the world existed other than you. He listened to every single person when they spoke to him including his employees. So, now, when we attend events and people want to tell us about their first cigar, for example, we look at the person and listen like no one else is there.

There’s so much I admire about my father, and he taught me so much. Just the way he handled situations with poise. He had such dedication to his work and his family. He had the unwillingness to give up throughout his life, especially through so much adversity. My father loved people and he appreciated his employees. I have always done my very best to emulate all these traits my father possessed.

CD: Cynthia Fuente, on a personal level, which are the particular interests that you enjoy doing in your leisure time?

CFS: I truly love cigars and everything about them. I love the experience of smoking a cigar and the time spent with others while smoking them. As I often say, “Cigars are to be shared!” I work with different people in the industry daily, but I still enjoy visiting local cigar lounges and getting to know our brothers and sisters of the leaf. I also love my cigar accessories! I so enjoy the lighters, cutters, ashtrays, humidors, cigar picks, and the works. I just love it all. I’m also a bourbon collector which pairs perfectly with cigars and in my opinion, there’s nothing better than a wonderful cigar with a perfectly paired bourbon.

Aside from cigars, my family is so important to me, and I love spending as much time with them as possible. This past summer my first grandson, Zachary Carlos, was born, and I’ve been spending a lot of time with him. Family is so important, and I cherish it to no end. I love the water and the beach, especially if it comes with a good sunset. Another hobby of mine is collecting different wines which I also think can pair well with a cigar.

I also enjoy contributing and putting time into charities here in Tampa like the Boys & Girls Club, (where I went as a child) in honor of my father. He was so passionate about the Boys & Girls Club. Then us and the Newmans have the Cigar Family Charitable Foundation and we all love working with the charity and helping the kids in the Dominican Republic. We also contribute to the Spring which assists abused and battered women. These are only a few of the many charities my family and I contribute to and are personally involved in.

CD: In which aspects are you liKe your mother?

CFS: My mother, Anna Louisa, was the most beautiful, loving, caring, and strong woman I’ve ever known. I love her so much and miss her more than words can explain. My mother was such a supportive and hardworking woman. She always, always worked alongside my father whether it was with the business or supporting the family at home.

My daughter Christina told me recently that I am loving, accepting, understanding, and dedicated to my family and to those who mean the most to me like my mother. My mother was very much that person and I think my brothers and I all picked up these traits from our mother. Our mother’s love for her husband and her family was so strong and that’s what I grew up knowing and seeing.

One of the most important things I inherited from my mother is the spiritual belief in God, the love of going to church, and the love for the rosary and the cross. This isn’t directly related to cigars, but I deeply believe that anything is possible if you have a relationship with God and trust in Him and this I learned from my mother. My mother was dedicated to God, her husband, and her family.

My mother always told me since I was a little girl that there was no substitute for class and elegance, and I’ve never forgotten what she taught me. My mother always had her hair done, had makeup on, wore nice jewelry, did herself up, and conducted herself with that class and elegance. My mother was just an all-around beautiful person.

CD: Difficult times have knocked on your door on several occasions. How do you handle your personal life and gray days and what helps you move forward?

CFS: God, His word, and those whom I love so much. That’s what gets me through the difficult times. As I said before, my mother instilled a love for God within me. My mother loved her rosaries and I’m the same way. But to answer the question, prayer, church, God’s word, and my family are what have pushed me forward through some of the most difficult times in my life. These are the things that keep me going. God’s love and the support of family are so powerful.

When my father was alive, I spent so many nights sitting outside with him, smoking cigars, and enjoying a glass of Chivas. We would make and try blends together and the Casa Cuba line, the last blend my father made before passing, was one of the ones we worked on together. My father was such an understanding person and a great listener. He just had that gift. I would spend hours talking to him and he would spend hours listening to me, and he always had the best advice for me. Those were special moments that also helped me get through some very difficult times.

CD: Could you share with us a memorable history from your childhood that you treasure?

CFS: Oh my. I have so many memories from my childhood. I have so many memories of my grandfather, Arturo. I remember my grandfather smoked 20-25 cigars per day. You wouldn’t catch him without a cigar in his hand. My grandfather also had a farm and I remember he would be there milking the cows and tending to the chickens. I would go outside when I was a little girl, look for him, and when I found him, I would ask him to try his cigar. Remember, I was a little girl, and he would hand me the cigar, let me take a puff, I’d give it back to him, and then I’d run off. It was a different time for sure, but tobacco is just in our blood!

Another beautiful memory was dancing with my father. My father would get home from a long day of work at the factory and as soon as he walked into the house, he would turn on the music and dance with me. Even if it was only for five minutes, my father always took time out of his busy schedule to spend time with us. At every party, every Christmas, and every event we went to, my father would dance with me. I remember one time I told my mother I was going to marry my father and she said you can’t marry your father. And I said, “Mother, you’re supposed to marry the man you love, and I love papa so I’m going to marry him.” I loved my dad so much, still do, and always will. Daddy’s girl FOREVER!

My parents and I always spent time together in and out of work. The entire family could go to them, and we could share our problems, and they would listen to all of us. My father would say “Bring it to me, put it on my shoulders, and I’ll handle it. “Todo va a estar bien”. He taught us that nothing was impossible, and we learned to never give up in life. My father was the epitome of unwillingness to give up.

Another memory I love so much is how our mother would sing to us when we were kids. She would sing to all three of us and then once she had grandchildren, she sang to all of them just like she did with us. My mother adored us and especially adored her grandchildren.

CD: To end this interesting interview, can you share any valuable recommendations for other women who want to make their way in this market?

CFS: I think a beautiful thing about this industry is that men have always welcomed women into the industry with open arms and we are seeing that more and more every day. Not only within the different cigar companies but also within the community of cigar smokers. When I started in the industry it was truly male dominated, but women have played an important role since the beginning in every aspect, but not so much as far as working in the public sphere. Now, we have so many women doing great things in the industry not only behind the scenes, but hands on and at the frontline.

On top of all that, the percentage of women smoking cigars is rising fast. The cigar industry is so welcoming, and I always encourage women who have a passion for cigars or want to learn to visit cigar lounges, talk to people, and smoke cigars. Any woman who has a love for the industry and is willing to put their time in truly have a prime opportunity. Maybe even more so than men. The opportunity is there for the one’s that want it. To the women who love it, do it! I hope that I can be an example and a mentor to anyone who wants the guidance and help to become a part of the industry.

Closing words

In closing, I’m thankful for Josefina Pichardo and Cigarro Dominicano for conducting this wonderful interview. It’s been an honor speaking with you and I wish you all the best and many, many blessings.