In the heart of Kingstown, where tradition and modern ambition intersect, Carissa Ash Cumberbatch is crafting more than just events—she’s creating experiences that leave lasting impressions. As the manager of Outstanding Occasions, a rising event management and planning business, Carissa’s story is one of vision, education, and purposeful transition.
A trained educator with a love for organization and celebration, Carissa’s professional roots are in teaching. She is a proud graduate of the Girls’ High School, the St. Vincent Community College, and the St. Vincent Teachers’ College. But her thirst for growth didn’t stop there. Recognizing a passion for project execution and event aesthetics, she pursued and earned two certifications from the University of the West Indies Open Campus—one in Events Management and the other in Project Management.
The idea to transition from teaching to entrepreneurship wasn’t hers alone. “It was my husband who saw the potential,” she recalls with a smile. “He encouraged me to start something of my own after looking at my certificates and knowing the experience I had from a previous job.” That gentle nudge sparked the birth of Outstanding Occasions, a business that has been thriving since its launch last year.
Unlike many startup stories filled with overwhelming obstacles, Carissa’s journey has been relatively smooth—thanks to meticulous planning. “There were clear plans,” she explains. “To achieve them, I did research and followed step-by-step arrangements. That structure made the difference.”
Behind every well-curated event stands her passion for socializing, traveling, and bringing people together. Whether it’s a wedding, a corporate gathering, or a family celebration, Carissa applies her educator’s precision and her natural eye for detail to every project.
To young and aspiring entrepreneurs, her advice is grounded and clear: “Research the business and take the bold move to start. Consistency is key. Know what to invest in and keep at it.”
As she continues to build Outstanding Occasions, Carissa Ash Cumberbatch is proving that with the right mix of passion, preparation, and persistence, dreams can become reality—one event at a time.