Alumni Update: Eduardo Carreño-Olivo ’21
An Entrepreneurial Spark that Ignited Auremio Cigars
Eduardo Carreño-Olivo ’21 has turned hard work into a thriving cigar business. Discover how his drive, life-changing experiences in Israel, and the guidance of mentors like Coach Rod shaped the journey behind Auremio Cigars.
From a young age, Eduardo Carreño-Olivo '21 had an entrepreneurial spark. During his senior year at Carrollwood Day School, he set his sights on buying a car, and his dad told him he would have to earn it himself. Rising to the challenge, Eduardo went door to door in his neighborhood, pressure washing driveways to make money. That first effort sparked a determination and resourcefulness that would guide him toward building something truly his own.
After graduating from CDS, Eduardo spent a year in Israel through the Kibbutz program, where participants live and work in communal settings alongside local members. He spent his time working in resort cleaning, scrubbing grills and learning firsthand the value of hard work and humility. “It was a great experience,” he said. “It taught me to take pride in every task, no matter how small.”
When he returned to the U.S., Eduardo briefly followed in his father’s footsteps by working in life insurance, but he quickly realized it wasn’t his path. One New Year’s Eve, while sitting with his cousin and enjoying a cigar, inspiration struck. “I thought to myself, I can make a better cigar,” he recalled. That moment became the start of Auremio Cigars.
Eduardo immersed himself in the world of cigar making, studying logistics, blends, flavors, and the anatomy of a cigar. When it came time to name his company, he drew from the Latin word aurem (meaning “gold”) and reshaped it into Auremio, a name which carried a sense of distinction and craftsmanship.
Today, Auremio Cigars can be found in multiple lounges and retailers, including Estate Cigars and Social, La Arca Mobile Cigar Lounge in Miami, Off Da Hook Mobile Cigar Lounge, The Krates, Elena’s, and Cigar Room. Eduardo’s goal is to expand to 15 locations by the end of the year, a remarkable milestone for a business that began with a single spark of inspiration.
When reflecting on his time at Carrollwood Day School, Eduardo remembers the impact of the people who helped shape his mindset.
“The conversations I would have with teachers and staff, whether it was asking Mr. Whitaker if we were even real, trying to solve world peace with Mrs. Benedetti, or listening to inspiring and motivational stories from Coach Rod, shaped the way I see the world.”
He also recalls a moment that left a lasting mark.
“I remember I was feeling down one time and I had pretended to go to the nurse to skip a class and I ended up in the locker room. Coach Rod came in. We talked about life experiences, and he gave me plenty of advice that I still carry today. He taught me about the positivity of hardships, and I attribute that advice to my success.”
Eduardo continues to embody the entrepreneurial spirit he cultivated at CDS, grounded in curiosity, resilience, and a drive to create something meaningful. Learn more about Auremio Cigars at auremio.co.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!