Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Easterday.
Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2016 we (my daughter and I) took an extended vacation to France. We spent time in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Champagne, and the South of France. It was in the South of France that we discovered the beauty and mystery of perfume making.
One of the activities we had scheduled was perfume making at a renowned perfumery in Grasse. When we arrived they invited us to the laboratory where there were hundreds of perfume oils and all the supplies one would need to make their own perfume. We were given in-depth instructions and set to work smelling and mixing our own signature bottles. By the end of the day, we each had our own perfume to take with us.
To put it lightly, we LOVED this whole experience. From the feeling we got while mixing our scents to the finished product, this was something that we wanted other people to have the opportunity to do. Upon returning home to Michigan we began talking about how we could bring this experience and product to the United States. After almost 5 years of dreaming and learning as much as we could about perfume making, including taking additional classes, we finally launched Atelier de Fleur Parfumerie to help others experience the joy and beauty of perfume making.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Because the concept of making your own perfume was new to the market, it took a while to get the word out. But, thanks to robust word of mouth, and social media exposure, the company ramped up pretty quickly. When Channel 4, WDIV’s Live in the D program reached out to do a segment on the company, things rapidly expanded. That appearance, and those who have made TikTok’s and shared on us their social media platforms, were and are such gifts that we are ever thankful for!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I love most about making perfume/cologne with people is how it taps into a person’s creativity. I don’t think people expect how much they will actually tune into their own sense of smell, and the memories associated with smell, when constructing a personal fragrance. We take our time with each client/group to make sure they leave with something they will wear and love to wear. I guess you’d say that we specialize in helping people expertly craft a fragrance (from 50 or more fragrance oils) by helping them narrow down their choices into something that they feel passionate about wearing. What sets our studio aside from some others in the area, is that we actually guide people through the entire perfume making process from beginning to end. Our customers actually get to blend their own oils into a final product they can be excited to wear.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Atelier de Fleur Parfumerie is the third small company that I’ve started. Each was very different in their own way, That said, with each, I took a risk to start each one, both personally and financially. Thankfully, each of those risks has paid off.
The first company I owned was a horse boarding and training facility. The second was an Internet marketing company (when the idea of a World Wide Web was in its infancy). After being a middle school teacher for many years while raising two kids, I was able to launch what is now my third company.
When I talk about turning passion into career, I tell people what many have said before, that you’ll never know if you can make a go of something until you try it. This can be hard when people are struggling just to make enough for daily expenses, but I say, start small. If you want to make something you can sell, try going to local artisan markets, build a web page, link up with social media – all are low cost ways to get the word out about what you want to sell. The old adage “nothing ventured, nothing gained” still rings true today!
Pricing:
- * $65.00 to make your own fragrance
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myscent.biz
- Instagram: @atelierdefleurparfumerie
- Facebook: Atelier de Fleur Parfumerie
- LinkedIn: Atelier de Fleur Parfumerie
