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Why I Love Selling My
Own Perfume To Gift Shops
By Alexandra Bristol
© 2004 Alexandra Bristol
Imagine walking into a gift store and seeing on the shelf beautiful bottles of perfume, filled with a fragrance you developed, bearing a label of your own design!
Imagine this happening in not just one gift store but in one gift store after another!
Imaging getting reorders regularly.
Imaging taking your perfume to a national gift show and getting cash orders from gift stores in places you've never heard of!
Then imagine what it feels like to be the one people start coming to for fragrances for special promotions ... businesses and organizations that would like to use a perfume made by you as a gift for new customers or as a unique fund raiser.
Imagine the thrill of knowing what your clients don't know — that for every dollar they pay you for a bottle of perfume, you are pocketing from $0.80 to $0.90 (or more) in profit!
And, if you are ambitious, this could be just the beginning.
The more time you spend working with perfume, the more respect you develop for the quality of the perfume you are producing. At the beginning it is a thrill to simply get the "juice" in a bottle, slap on a label (and perhaps a few ribbons and bows!) and watch people give you money for it!
Watching people cheerfully buy something you created is an enormous thrill.
Watching your bank account grow substantially while you pursue your new craft makes the thrill even greater.
Developing a True Love Of Perfume
As you gain more experience with perfume, you'll find your tastes, and your perfume making ability, becoming more sophisticated. You will learn by sampling as many fragrances as possible from "tester" bottles at the mall. You may also find yourself indulging in an appetite for more unique fragrances — fragrances sold by leading "small" perfumeries and, even smaller, by people like yourself who have started at the bottom of the ladder but are now a few rungs ahead of you.
The cost of these experiments? Not at all cheap — but it is one of the most delightful business expenses you are likely to encounter.
Can you do it? Why not give it a try!
The way I got started (I had to get up my confidence because I wasn't at all sure I could do it!) was to read "Developing A Profitable New Perfume On A Budget Of Less Than $200". I bought the book, smelled the fragrance that came with it (very nice! My husband is on his third bottle and he hasn't a clue where it came from!) and said to myself, "If that guy could make money selling these simple, plain boring looking bottles of fragrance, I've got to be able to put something even better together!" I did (in my opinion!) and, when I showed it around to my friends, several wanted to buy it right away. That's what got up my confidence for approaching gift store owners. In doing so, I found that many of them were women just like myself and they were happy to try out a new "hand crafted" product.
That's how I got started.
Then I joined the Perfume Makers' Club. You don't have to do this but the resources they have are a help. And a lot of the stuff is truly inspirational and makes you feel like you are really a part of the fragrance business. (Guess what ... you are!) New stuff that you might not find out about is constantly getting added to the members' section.
By the time I jointed the Club I didn't mind the fact that I could have gotten the full text of "Developing A Profitable New Perfume On A Budget Of Less Than $200" as part of my $21.95 membership fee. I was already on a roll.
Sticking To Business
Some of the sources I use for my perfumery supplies are also suppliers to candle and soap makers. Some friends have asked me why I haven't branched out and included these products in my line. I just tell them, "I'm not ready for that yet" but the truth is that I've done the math (my daughter is in AP math and she's worked these numbers too and agrees!) The "numbers" say to me, "stick to perfume ... let Proctor & Gamble sell soap."
By the way, you might want to check out some of the larger small perfumers websites ... and some of the smaller ones. In time you'll want to compare your products to theirs. Meanwhile it's good to know that you are not alone in making and selling your own perfume outside of the mall and "big box" stores.
Have fun with it!
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Smaller Perfume Makers
If you study the websites listed below, you will get some idea of the wide range of people who are making and selling perfume today, outside of the world of the mall and "big box" stores.
Some of these companies have long histories; some are quite new.
Some of the perfumers have had years of training; others "picked it up" as they plunged into it.
Some of these companies are backed by considerable financing; others were started on a shoestring.
Some of the individuals behind these companies came from prominent social backgrounds; others clearly did not.
Somewhere in this list is a story you can relate to ... a story that will inspire you to make and sell perfume!
France
Perfumerie Galimard
Jean de Galimard, Lord of Seranon, related to the Count of Thorenc and great friend of Goethe, lived in Grasse where in 1747 he created the Parfumerie Galimard. Founder of the corporation of "Glovemakers and Perfumers," he supplied the court of Louis, King of France, with olive oil, pomades, and perfumes of which he invented the first formulas. For over 250 years, the Parfumerie Galimard has been following the same traditions as its renowned founder and uses the very processes which made its name famous. Fragonard
Their historic perfume factory, located in the heart of the Old Town, is one of the oldest in Grasse. Perfume has been made on the premises since its construction in 1782.
In 1926 the name "Parfumerie Fragonard" was taken as a tribute to the famous painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. Here on a daily basis Fragonard produces perfumes, cosmetics and soaps in a setting imbued with respect for tradition. L'Artisan Perfumeur
L'Artisan, originally created by noted perfumeur Jean Laporte, a luxury fragrance company established over thirty years ago, was recently acquired by Cradle Holdings. Marie Dumont, a 12-year veteran of L'Artisan, runs the business from its Paris headquarters. Annick Goutal
In 1977 Annick Goutal she met perfumer Henri Sorsana and spent the next seven years memorising ingredients and honing her talent. She opened her first salon on Rue de Bellechasse in Saint Germain. Her fragrance following is cult. Editions De Parfums
Frederic Malle's French perfume venture giving nine of the world's greatest perfumers an opportunity to create and market their own choice of fragrance. Perfumers include Pierre Bourdon, Jean-Claude Ellena, Edouard Fléchier, Olivia Giacobetti, Maurice Roucel, Edmond Roudnitska, Michel Roudnitska, Ralf Schwieger and Dominique Ropion. This is a very important website. The perfumes are available at Malle's store in Paris and in the US at Barney's. Molinard
Since 1849. Some nice photos of perfume production on their website. Thomas Guinamand
Claude Galien, since 1921. Pascal Morabito
Several interesting examples of packaging by this design-orientated company.
United Kingdom
Penhaligons
Penhaligon's is one of the few true perfume houses in the world. They design and make their own scents, going to great lengths to achieve precise effects. They pride themselves in the use of fine and rare ingredients, such as hand-squeezed oil of bergamot and jasmine oil — at twice the price of gold! Currently owned by Cradel Holdings. J. Floris Limited
"By Appointment To Her Majesty The Queen, Perfumers, J. Floris Limited, London" ... "By Appointment To His Majesty The Prince Of Wales, Manufacturers Of Toilet Preparations, J. Floris Limited, London" Old. Established. Artful. The Cotswold Perfumery/
John Stephen is the perfumer and owner of the Cotswold Perfumery. It was John's father who in 1965 decided to turn what was up until then just a hobby into a family business. John remembers those early years with mixed feelings. "We started with just one perfume — it was dreadful. It was a poor perfume in terrible packaging and we opened a shop in the wrong place. Needless to say it failed!" But with the benefit of their first failure they decided to give perfumery another try. Using better quality raw materials was a crucial step leading to repeat orders. Then other perfumeries wanted fragrances made that they could sell under their own name. It soon became clear that fine fragrances was where a small business could compete with the world's largest. In 1992 the Cotswold Perfumery was proud to announce that Buckingham Palace had selected "Pallas" over all the competition - a beautiful Jasmine perfume. In 1999 John was commissioned by The Queen to produce two perfumes for Her Majesty as well as other fragrances for the Royal family. D.R. Harris & Co., Ltd.
Chemists and Pefumers. This 200-year-old business holds the warrant to H M Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and to the Prince of Wales. Most products are handmade and packages on their own premises in London.
United States
Bourbon French Perfumes
"Our skilled custom blend specialists will create & blend a unique fragrance especially for you in a one hour sitting. A body chemistry analysis, personality profile & assessment of your likes & dislikes of the basic scents will be conducted by your personal custom blend specialist before the blending of parfums begins. When the perfect combination is found, your 'secret' custom blend formula will be recorded & available for special order in an entire wardrobe of toiletries including Perfume, Eau de Toilette, Cologne, Body Powder, Body Lotion, Body Shampoo, Foaming Bath Gel & Bath Salts." Clean Perfume
"Clean Perfume was launched by Dlish Fragrance Inc. in April 2003. Randi Shinder, (a Canadian) the founder, desired a fragrance that was reminiscent of pure soap, that universal fresh out of the shower scent. Unable to find such a fragrance, she developed her own." Clients include many celebrities. Website is worth visiting. The company and it's owner are experts in using public relations to create a buzz for their product.
"We are proud of our reputation as innovative perfumers and devote ourselves to creating aromas — such as our beloved Pikake or Rain™ perfumes — that create lasting memories and delightful, sensory experiences. Each of our offerings is perfect for gift giving and daily personal pampering." Retail and wholesale available.
Desire In Sunlight
Clarity. Purity. Passion. The natural elements that infuse a perfume with character, emotion & beauty. The vision of scent. For Isabelle, blending natural perfumes is a process of bringing the imagined to life. Born on the West Coast, Isabelle moved from Seattle to Pasadena to study visual art at the Art Center College of Design. As a lifestyle photographer she traveled through the sensual landscapes of Provence & Tuscany and has always drawn inspiration from the evocative story scents give. Unfortunately she was unable to wear perfumes due to an allergy to their high synthetic content. In the midst of transformation, Isabelle sought master perfumers to study with who create solely with natural distillations. Collecting & blending exotic, luxurious essences from around the world is a stimulating love affair... Now Isabelle, with a deep passion for AROMATIC truth, brings grace, attention and focus to the ART of Perfumery. With each perfume she sends powerful healing beauty to each and everyone who enjoys her scents. Eadward Fragrances
Eadward (Anglo-Saxon for Guardian and the name of the cherub that appears on packaging) is the brainchild of Fashion Designer-turned-Perfumer Kareema McLendon, along with her sister Felice. It was the desire to find a quality, special fragrance at a reasonable price that drove Kareema to start blending oils. With the encouragement of her sister, Eadward was launched in the Fall of 2004. Drawing inspiration anywhere from her unrelenting cravings for chocolate to growing up near the ocean in Virginia Beach, Kareema has created five fragrances that can either be worn alone or layered together. Yvonne La Fleur
"The finest quality fragrances, brought to you by the Internationally renowned Yvonne LaFleur." Study this one. Their website is crude but they have a business. They added perfume, using their own brand name. This was an opportunity for someone out there who could make perfume! Tropical Fragrances
An example of "theme" fragrances, a substitute for t-shirts for island visitors who want to take away sweet memories through fragrances. Look beyond the "look" of this website, into the concept. It is one you could adapt to local circumstances in your region. Not fine perfume but possibly a very nice seller! Florence Gunnarson
Florence bought books on the art of perfume making and studied with the perfumers in Grasse. She began mixing perfumes in a spare bedroom in her parent's home. Florence purchased essential oils from perfumer Ken Spraker, whom she married. In 1939, they launched Florence Gunnarson Fine Perfumes, selling an exclusive collection of hand-blended perfumes. Hové® Parfumeur Ltd.
Hové®, was begun in 1931 by Mrs. Alvin Hovey-King, daughter of a Calvary officer and wife of a Navy Commander. She had spent much of her life traveling around the world and expanding her love of making her own perfume, a craft learned from her Creole French mother. This hobby grew into a serious pastime, and so after the market crash of 1929, which ruined the retired Commander's investment business. Today the business is operated by a niece, Amy van Calsem Wendel, who continues the perfume tradition along with her husband, Bill Wendel. "The House Of Creative Scentualization
Sarah Horowitz-Thran has been working with both essential and fragrance oils since she first fell in love with the art of perfumery in 1989. In 1992, after serving as an apprentice for nearly four years, she and a fellow perfumer purchased Essence, a perfumery located on Boston's renowned Newbury Street. Horowitz-Thran sold the business in 1994, at which time she moved to Los Angeles and founded Creative Scentualization. It is here that she produced and distributed customized and private label fragrances, as well as her own fine fragrance line, 'Perfect Perfumes.'" Frank Bush
A very limited line of men's fragrances. Very simple website but it does accept orders. DHS Perfumes
Beginning her career as an art student in painting, Dawn M. Spencer Hurwitz came to Perfumery in 1991. While working at Boston's Essense Perfumery, she developed her talent for creating perfumes based on Fine Art principles (texture, color, line, light, shape, expression), bringing the Art of Aromatherapy into her fragrances, and sensing what her clients truly want ('a perfume that makes you feel even more like yourself...'). Madini Perfume Essences
The history of the Madini oils begins with the Hariris, an eminent Saudi Arabian family who were perfumers and silk traders for centuries in the city of Medina. When Moulay Hafid, a Moroccan sultan, married into the Hariri family around the turn of the century, several members of the Hariri family came to Tangiers, Morocco, where they established an enduring reputation for producing the finest perfumes. There they were known as the Madinis, meaning 'the ones who came from Medina.' The centuries-old tradition they represented flourished in Morocco, which is known for its excellent and varied flora. In the Madini family, the art of creating, blending, and applying essential oils is handed down from generation to generation and involves a lengthy and arduous apprenticeship. The olfactory sensibilities required are extraordinary, because many of the creations incorporate miniscule amounts of rare essences that must harmonize with other dominant fragrances. The information is transmitted verbally, and requires a direct and intimate experience with all the nuances of the perfumer's art. The current head of the Madini family, Suleiman, practiced under the direction of his father, Sherif Ibrahim Madini, for over fifteen years before assuming his leadership responsibilities. 1st Lady Fragrances
Every lady can be a "First Lady" in her home, her career, her hobby and with her children! Long Lost Perfumes
Recreations of perfumes formerly lost to the world, some new fragrances and products from the Irma Shorell line. Lagniappe Oaks Perfumery
"Lagniappe Oaks Perfumery is located in a late 1800's cottage alongside meandering Bayou Lafourche." The website offers a number of interesting fragrances but no background on the company. Holzman & Stephanie Perfumes
With a background in organic chemistry and studies in Grasse, France, Esther Holzman became interested in perfumes but it was the influence of her aunt, the Countess Evelyn de Prograny, that got her into the fragrance business. Today the business, run from Virginia, continues to serve select clients and those who order via the company's website. Fresh
Co-founded by husband and wife, Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. Retail stores located in London, Paris, Seoul (Korea), Boston, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. They will send you their catalog on request. elizabeth W
"Before launching into the rarefied air of the perfume world, I was an architect. In 1995, I devoted myself to my true passion and created a perfumery. I knew how to design a building and constructing fragrances follows similar lines: a well balanced foundation is required to support the heart and top notes. As with architecture, I also knew there were fragrances for the masses and perfumes that speak to the individual. From the exterior design of a product to the scent inside, I seek to touch the individual with my elizabethW collections. They are clean, simple, sophisticated, elegant, and totally original. They reflect an emphasis on quality and beauty, valuable lessons passed down through the generations from Elizabeth Wightman, my great grandmother. " Aftelier Perfumes
Before creating 'Aftelier,' Mandy Aftel was a founder and chief perfumer of Grandiflorum, an all-natural perfume company whose solid and liquid perfumes were sold exclusively through Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus department stores. Antonia's Flowers
As a student, Antonia studied art in Boston and then in France. It was in France, the markets of Aix and Paris, that she discovered all the wonderful varieties of flowers and ultimately opened her own flower business in East Hampton, New York. Unable to find perfume that would capture the essence of the flowers she loved, she used her skill with scent to develop her own line, now available through her website. Nitro Fragrances
Nicholas Meyer's Texas fragrances, sold to an elite clientele of professionals, athletes, motion picture actors and royal families. Now available to all through his website. Parfums Delrase
A lifelong passion for fragrance was the impetus that inspired San Francisco designer DelRae Roth to create Parfums DelRae. In collaboration with the renowned French parfumeur Michel Roudnitska, DelRae has created perfumes of compelling originality and unsurpassed quality. Parfums DelRae are composed in the grand tradition of classic French parfumery, with a modern sensibility. Already influential, Parfums DelRae have quickly found an enthusiastic international following.
Desert Scents
Both women's and men's fragrances, retail and wholesale. Nice, functional website. Shop HIM
Launched in 2004, it is the mission of HIM Enterprises, LLC to provide a stylish yet relaxed online shopping experience for men and those who shop for HIM. With a unique array of products on an easy-to-use secure website, their goal is to provide customers with products that enhance HIS MIND, HIS BODY, and HIS HOME. The name HIM (He Is Magnificent) comes from a celebration of the various elements that make HIM – namely his mind, his body and his home. They believe that whether you are treating yourself to an item or purchasing a gift for someone special, your selection will undoubtedly announce "He Is Magnificent". OREMAJ
From the Oremaj Group, LLC. Oremaj Man targets men of all ages, representing a purpose driven man. Masculine energy, passion, sophistication and character encapsulate the juice which is based upon a lyrical blend of ingredients. The scent opens with accords of bergamot, lime and lavender. The heart features a blend of basil, patchouli, jasmine, rose and sage, while the base includes tonka, leather, musk and moss. V'TAE
An interesting line of fine fragrances for retail and wholesale.
Sultanate of Oman
Amouage
The first Amouage fragrance, created by the legendary French parfumier, Guy Robert, is now sold in over 24 countries worldwide. The Perfumery was built in Muscat, Oman, and still provides the individual hand finish to every bottle of Amouage perfume today. The fragrance range extends from the exclusive Gold Flasks to the Gold, Dia, Ciel, Eau d' Amouage, Esprit d' Amouage and Silver Cologne.
Dubai (UAE)
Ireland
The Burren Perfumery
The Burren Perfumery is Ireland's first Perfumery, set up over 30 years ago. A family run business, each of the Perfumery's products has been hand produced using the highest quality pure natural essences, plant extracts and pure Irish spring water. The fragrances are mixed in a traditional way, over a six month period, before being hand bottled and packaged. Each fragrance has been individually formulated to capture the mystery of Ireland and the purity of the Burren.
Canada
Quinta Essentia Signature Perfumes
Quinta Essentia is dedicated to the art of natural perfumery. Perfume Designer Ayala Sender creates handcrafted perfumes from 100% precious botanical essences. In the past 2 years Ayala has developed over 60 ready-to-wear fragrances, signature perfumes and perfumed jewelry. In co-operation with top designers worldwide Quinta Essentia creates original packaging for this perfumes.
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