Onahira Rivas is a results-driven entrepreneur and global business strategist with over 24 years of experience scaling operations, transforming companies, and driving multi-million-dollar growth. As the CEO of Florida’s Cotton Clouds, she is leading the revival of American manufacturing by building the first organic cotton factory in Florida dedicated to empowering women and minority entrepreneurs.
Recognized as the winner of The Blox TV competition show—streaming on Prime—for founding the most valuable company among over 100,000 competitors, Onahira is a respected authority on brand building, operational excellence, and sustainable business strategy.
Her corporate background includes leadership roles at global firms such as Novo Nordisk and Bristol Myers Squibb, where she launched blockbuster pharmaceutical campaigns, increased brand awareness by over 100%, and led strategic initiatives that generated more than $5M in new revenue. She also successfully introduced over 700 products into U.S. retail giants like Walmart through her former venture, Superpharma.
Onahira is a Forbes Business Council member and an international consultant, providing C-level advisory to companies across the U.S., Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Whether launching new ventures, optimizing operations, or entering global markets, she equips businesses with proven frameworks for bold, scalable growth.
If you’re seeking to elevate your business with a bold strategy, breakthrough brand, or resilient leadership—Onahira Rivas is the expert you want in your corner.
Company: Florida’s Cotton Clouds
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Onahira Rivas: Thank you—I’m honored to be here!
I’m Onahira Rivas, a global entrepreneur, business strategist, and the CEO of Florida’s Cotton Clouds, a pioneering company in the process of building the first organic cotton products factory in Florida led by women and minorities. Our focus is on cosmetic-use cotton products, and our mission is to revive American manufacturing while empowering small businesses through sustainable, locally produced goods.
Over the past 24 years, I’ve scaled businesses across pharmaceuticals, fashion, consumer goods, and retail—generating over $5 million in new business, launching global brands, and leading product rollouts for major companies like Novo Nordisk and Bristol Myers Squibb. I’ve also introduced 700+ products into Walmart stores and launched a fashion brand in China that was featured by China Daily.
As a Forbes Business Council member and international business consultant, I advise entrepreneurs and CEOs on scaling operations, brand strategy, and entering new markets. Recently, I was named the winner of The Blox TV show (streaming on Prime), where my company was recognized as the most valuable among 100,000 competitors.
Whether I’m building a factory or guiding a founder through growth decisions, my work is grounded in bold vision, strategic execution, and long-term impact.
What were the most significant challenges you faced during the scaling process, and how did you overcome them?
Onahira Rivas: One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced during the scaling process—across multiple ventures—has been building infrastructure ahead of growth while managing limited resources. Whether it was introducing over 700 products to Walmart through Superpharma or preparing Florida’s Cotton Clouds to enter mass retail, the balancing act between vision and execution has always been critical.
Another major challenge has been navigating international markets—especially when I launched a Spanish shoe brand in China and South America. Cultural differences, supply chain limitations, and regulatory complexities demanded adaptability, deep research, and building the right local alliances.
In every case, I overcame these challenges by leaning on data-driven strategy, cultivating strong teams, and remaining deeply connected to the “why” behind each brand. I also sought mentorship, surrounded myself with industry experts, and remained agile—ready to pivot when the market required it.
Scaling isn’t just about growing fast—it’s about growing intentionally, and that’s the principle I apply to every business I build or advise.
How did you ensure that your company culture remained intact as your business expanded?
Onahira Rivas: Ensuring that company culture remains intact during expansion starts with clarity of vision and values. From the beginning, I’ve been intentional about embedding purpose, integrity, and excellence into the DNA of every business I lead.
At Florida’s Cotton Clouds, even during the early stages of development, we’ve prioritized a culture that celebrates American manufacturing, sustainability, and ethical business practices. As we scale, we’re focused on hiring people who share this mission—team members who don’t just want a job, but want to be part of a movement.
In my consulting work, I guide clients to build cultures that align with their long-term goals—not just their immediate business needs. Whether it’s through team training, leadership development, or strategic planning, I believe that culture must be intentionally protected and nurtured at every stage of growth.
For me, culture isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the invisible engine behind every successful business.
What strategies did you employ to maintain quality and customer satisfaction while scaling rapidly?
Onahira Rivas: At Florida’s Cotton Clouds, ensuring quality has been at the heart of every decision—even during the early development stages. From selecting U.S.-based manufacturers to designing our supply chain with traceability and sustainability in mind, our focus has always been long-term trust, not short-term gains. We are building a brand that stands for clean, safe, locally produced cotton products, and that requires choosing partners and processes that align with those values from day one.
As we prepare to launch into retail, we’re implementing SOPs and quality benchmarks that mirror the discipline of large-scale production but remain agile enough to meet evolving market needs. Even before we begin shipping, we’re listening to feedback from retailers and potential customers—ensuring the experience, packaging, and performance exceed expectations.
On the consulting side, I apply those same principles with my clients. Whether I’m helping a founder refine their operations or guiding a company through international expansion, my approach is rooted in measurable systems and deep client insight. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all growth strategies. Instead, I tailor scalable frameworks that prioritize customer retention, brand consistency, and operational excellence.
For me, the core strategy is the same: build with intention, scale with structure, and never lose sight of the customer experience.
Can you share a specific turning point that was crucial for your business’s successful scaling?
Onahira Rivas: A major turning point in my entrepreneurial journey came during my leadership at Superpharma. We achieved national distribution of over 700 wellness products across major U.S. retailers, including Walmart. That experience pushed me to build infrastructure that could handle scale—supply chain systems, retail logistics, regulatory compliance, and brand consistency across thousands of store shelves. It was a moment where we proved we could operate at mass-market scale without compromising on product integrity or customer trust.
That success laid the foundation for how I approach scaling today with Florida’s Cotton Clouds. With the U.S. market for cotton-based cosmetic products valued at $2.4 billion, we are strategically positioned to enter with a strong operational framework, proven go-to-market expertise, and a manufacturing model that supports both sustainability and scalability. We’ve already begun forming key partnerships, designing our executive structure, and preparing the systems needed to bring production to life here in Florida.
On the consulting side, a major turning point came when I shifted from offering executional services to serving as a strategic advisor for scaling brands across industries. That allowed me to leverage my 24+ years of experience—including retail placement, global brand launches, and operational leadership—to help others navigate growth while building my own venture in parallel.
Both turning points reinforced a key lesson: the right visibility, backed by preparation and strategy, can unlock exponential opportunity.
How did you manage the financial aspects of scaling, particularly in securing funding and maintaining cash flow?
Onahira Rivas: Throughout my career, I’ve taken a strategic and diversified approach to funding. I’ve successfully raised over $1 million through SBA programs and secured an additional $3 million from private investors across different ventures. My focus has always been on aligning capital with clear operational milestones, ensuring that funding is not just about cash infusion—but about fueling sustainable, results-driven growth.
With Florida’s Cotton Clouds, financial management began long before production. We developed a detailed business plan, complete with cash flow projections, unit economics, salary structures, and ROI models. This allowed us to communicate a compelling and credible case to potential investors and retail partners—grounded not just in vision, but in financial discipline.
Maintaining cash flow, especially in high-growth phases, required tight operational control. At Superpharma, for example, we scaled into mass retail without overextending by negotiating favorable payment terms, controlling inventory cycles, and leveraging early sales data to forecast revenue accurately. These principles now guide how we’re preparing the financial infrastructure for our manufacturing operation.
In my consulting work, I also help clients understand their capital structure, optimize pricing models, and identify scalable revenue streams. Whether I’m managing my own ventures or advising others, my financial strategy is always rooted in clarity, discipline, and strategic foresight.
