From Tobago to the World: How Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas Is Building a Brand Rooted in Craftsmanship, Culture & Caribbean Possibility

For Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas, entrepreneurship was never simply about fashion. It was about building something meaningful — a brand that reflected creativity, authenticity, culture, and the belief that Caribbean entrepreneurs belong on the global stage.

As co-founder of Cuero Designs Instagram, Latoyaa is helping shape a growing brand that blends authentic leather craftsmanship, artisan materials, and Caribbean-inspired design into pieces that feel both luxurious and accessible. 

But behind the polished products and refined aesthetic is a story grounded in resilience, partnership, vision, and purpose.

Born out of inspiration from life in Ecuador and influenced by her Caribbean roots, Cuero Designs was created alongside her husband and business partner, Moses Thomas. Together, the couple saw an opportunity to merge high-quality leather and artisan Ecuadorian materials with their own creative vision to produce something distinctive for the Caribbean market. 

For Latoyaa, the journey has been deeply personal.

Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas

Coming from Tobago — a small island of approximately 60,000 people — she understands the quiet limitations many Caribbean entrepreneurs often place on themselves. Yet her story is proof that powerful ideas are not defined by geography. They are defined by vision, consistency, and the courage to begin. 

At Cuero Designs, authenticity sits at the center of everything. From concept to production, the brand focuses on thoughtful craftsmanship, durability, refined style, and timeless appeal. The goal is not to chase fleeting trends, but to create pieces that feel intentional and lasting. 

Latoyaa’s role within the business reflects her strengths in marketing, communication, and brand storytelling, while Moses focuses heavily on product design and relationship building. Together, their partnership has become one of the driving forces behind the company’s growth.

“Teamwork truly makes the dream work,” she shared while reflecting on the realities of entrepreneurship and building a business alongside someone who shares both her personal life and professional vision.

Like many entrepreneurs across the Caribbean, Latoyaa also faced the challenge of entering an already crowded market. Establishing a new fashion brand required persistence, long hours, strategic planning, and unwavering belief in their mission. Instead of trying to compete by imitation, the couple leaned deeper into authenticity — creating products that reflected craftsmanship, culture, and quality. 

What continues to inspire Latoyaa most is the impact entrepreneurship can have beyond sales or visibility. Through Cuero Designs, she hopes to show other Caribbean creatives that ideas born within the region can resonate globally.

She believes Caribbean entrepreneurs possess the talent, creativity, and resilience necessary to compete internationally — but greater access to mentorship, funding, collaboration, and regional support systems could help accelerate that growth even further. 

That belief in community and collaboration also shapes how Cuero Designs operates. The brand intentionally builds connections not only within the Caribbean but across Latin America, using partnerships, networking opportunities, and cultural exchange to expand its reach while strengthening regional creative ecosystems. 

And while the brand continues to grow, some of the most meaningful moments for Latoyaa come from customer feedback — seeing people genuinely connect with the quality and craftsmanship behind the products.

One customer jokingly remarked:

“These shoes from Cuero Designs will outlive my grandchildren — stylish designs but durable.” 

For Latoyaa, moments like these serve as reminders that the vision is working.

More importantly, they reinforce something she hopes more Caribbean women begin to embrace: the understanding that every successful business begins with an idea, and with enough passion, discipline, and belief, that idea can evolve into something impactful.

In many ways, Latoyaa Roberts-Thomas represents a new generation of Caribbean entrepreneurs — women who are building boldly, creating intentionally, and proving that Caribbean excellence deserves a place in every global conversation.