Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Sellers.
Hi Katrina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve always loved fine fragrance, but buying it always felt like a disappointing and underwhelming experience. It always seemed so secretive and opaque, like customers were allowed to buy it but not allowed to know about what’s in it and how it’s made. That lack of transparency makes it hard to truly love and immerse yourself in fragrance the way you can with food, wine, or other indulgences. So, in 2018, I stepped out of the corporate world to launch a fine fragrance brand like the kind I wished existed – unique fragrances for people fascinated by scent beyond just wearing it. Based in Charlotte, NC, we specialize in small-batch, unisex scents and fully transparent formulas. As the founder and head perfumer, I formulate all of our fragrances. All of them are based directly on feedback, requests, and other input from our loyal client base – we’re committed to making our customers part of the creative process to share the true joy and artistry of scent collaboratively. Since our start, we’ve expanded to the full range of ready-to-wear scents and hugely popular customizable fragrances. We’ve grown a customer base of fragrance lovers across the country and have been recognized by Garden & Gun Magazine in their Made in the South Awards and other publications.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
They lie if any business owner tells you it’s a smooth road. I always tell people that it’s an unrelenting roller coaster, and anyone looking to start a business or launch a brand needs to accept the volatility that will come with it. It’s hard to guess what people will like and what they’re willing to buy, which is why businesses need to constantly and obsessively solicit feedback and interact with customers. In my case, it’s been the only way I’ve known whether something with the packaging needs to be fixed, whether customers understand how to use something, and what’s interesting, overwhelming, or boring. Guessing without validating is a recipe for disaster. There are leaner and busier times, and you must always figure out what to expect. That’s part of what makes it exciting, though; the struggles along the way make the successes much more meaningful.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Our unisex scents are hand-formulated by our founder in Charlotte, NC. We craft in small batches, focused only on quality, artistry, and science. We leave out the pretentiousness, ingredient secrecy, and over-the-top marketing and packaging that drive up the fragrance cost without adding anything valuable to what’s in the bottle itself. Our range includes ready-to-wear fragrances, semi-personalized Fragrance Bar scents, and our Bridal Collection of layered scents. In 2021, we also debuted a limited run of home fragrance products. We’re online-only, and our scents are mixed fresh to ensure their quality and longevity.
Pricing:
- Limited Edition Sampler: $94
- Fragrance Bar Kit: $59
Contact Info:
- Website: www.julesandvetiver.com
- Instagram: @julesandvetiver
Image Credits
Shots 1, 2, 3, and 5: Carrie Allen LLC Shot 4: Jeffrey Fried Shots: 6, 7, 8: Livvy List
