BUILT on a foundation of hope and God, CBS Stitch Embroidery Limited thrives as a testament to dedication, craftsmanship, and unwavering faith.

On the heels of International Women’s Day, Cynthia Getfield and her two daughters, Sherona and Britney Getfield, celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of their first physical store at Unit 1, 70 Half-Way-Tree Road. Though many of the attendees played a vital role in the establishment and development of the business, one guest stood out, dubbing himself the “Conception Man”, as the idea to start the business began with him.

On a regular day in 2014, the trio — mother and daughters — found themselves pondering the perfect gift for their pastor, Bishop Nigel Martin’s (Conception Man) baby shower. Inspired by a personalised face rag Britney received as a reward at high school, they realised the significance of personalised gifts and sought out local embroidery services. Faced with limited options, Cynthia took matters into her own hands and purchased a tabletop embroidery machine, planting the seed for what would become CBS Stitch Embroidery Limited.

“I was just so excited looking at the towels, the idea just came up in my head, you know, and I said I’m not going home without getting a machine,” reminisced Cynthia, director of CBS, during an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Cynthia, a soldier by profession, dabbled in dressmaking, making her own bridesmaid dresses and dresses for her children, as a hobby on the side. She also delved into the world of embroidery, learning the ropes through online tutorials. The family’s first product was an embroidered bib for their pastor’s baby, Hope.

“The family loved it, and we decided we could make a few more,” Director Britney Getfield said with a smile during the launch of its new store.

Britney, who has since graduated from high school and now handles the finances of the family business along with her sister Sharona, who handles the marketing and sales of the company, came together, and by the end of 2014, CBS Stitch Embroidery Limited was officially registered, with the capital investment ranging between $100,000 and $500,000. Operating from home in St Thomas, it received the support of a family friend and financial assistance from relatives to acquire its first single-head industrial embroidery machine, and the business flourished even further.

“These are just a few of the vessels God used to bless us and work things in our favour,” expressed Britney gratefully.

Over the years, CBS expanded its product range, with towels, T-shirts, and cushions emerging as top sellers. Despite facing challenges, including financial constraints and pricing struggles, CBS Stitch persevered, eventually turning a profit in 2020. The onset of the pandemic prompted the business to pivot, with customised face masks becoming a top-selling item.

“There were many other challenges that we faced but now, as we gaze in retrospect, we can say, ‘But God’, Britney said humbly.

Fast-forward to 2024, and CBS Stitch Embroidery Limited welcomed customers to its official store, equipped with state-of-the-art embroidery machines, doubling its productivity and expanding its capabilities.

As they look to the future, the Getfield’s hope to continue to expand and acquire their own location, supplying to overseas markets, but ultimately, the trio aims to continue to intricately weave creativity and precision into every stitch for its customers. They aim to continue to intricately weave creativity and precision into every stitch.