What
inspired you to start Fragrance Planet, and how did you come up with the idea
for the business? I have always been very
passionate about fragrances. Each scent tells a story and has a memory
attached. I wanted to create a space where others can experience the magic of
scent in a personal way. With my little experience with perfumes and scents, I
felt obligated to not only share my favorite scents but also create a unique
experience for customers.
Can
you tell us about your background and how it prepared you for entrepreneurship?
My background in the fashion world has been really
instrumental in preparing me for entrepreneurship. I started off as an intern
in a fashion store where I learnt the ropes of running an online business
because I was working closely with the CEO where I gained necessary experience
that helped me in starting up my own business. I learnt customer relationships
and good advertisement which has helped to improve my own business. Due to my
love of smelling really good, I dived into the fragrance world and was able to
implement most of the skills I learnt as an intern which has helped me get to
where I am as a business owner today.
What
sets Fragrance Planet apart from other fragrance and beauty retailers? Fragrance planet stands out in several ways. Firstly, our collection
has a lot of exclusive and niche fragrance curated to cater diverse tastes.
What truly sets us apart is outlet commitment to personalized service; our
staff is trained to provide customized fragrance consultations ensuring the
customer finds their perfect scent. The in-store experience is designed to be
unique, creating a memorable environment.
How
do you choose which products to carry in your store? At Fragrance planet, the product selection is a result of strategic
and customer centric approach. We conduct extensive market strategy to conduct
a market research to know the trendy fragrances and scent and closely analyze
the customer’s preferences. We take time to understand each product and ensure
that it meets the high standards for quality and uniqueness. This careful
selection process ensures that every product reflects our commitment to provide
our customers with the best in the fragrance and beauty industry.
What
is your favorite fragrance, and why? My favorite
fragrance is Aariz intense by Arabiyat Prestige. I love this particular
fragrance because of its lingering scent and the fact that it gives off a
confident vibe. Aariz is designed for people that love luxury and for that I
love it.
Can
you talk about any new products or lines that you are excited to feature in
your store? I’m excited about this, we have a new
collection in our store now, it’s a Lattafa collection. This collection is one
which I love so much from the packaging to the scents to the bottles. It’s one
of the best you can get from us right now.
What
advice would you give to someone who is looking to start their own business? My advice to someone looking to start their own business would be
to first understand their passion and purpose, ensure that it is built around
something they really care about. Thorough market research is essential.
Creating a comprehensive business plan is like having a roadmap for the journey
ahead. Embrace failures as opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a journey that
requires continuous learning, resilience and genuine passion for what you do.
How
have you adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic? During the pandemic, it was really difficult on the business because
we could not deliver, customers could not come in to shop and buy. We were able
to adapt to working remotely. Also, we tried our best to satisfy our customers
even without physical contact which improved as an online store. We had to
improve our online presence, although it was hard, my staff and I were able to
work under pressure during the pandemic which helped us improve the brand. We
also dive into online blogging where we were to teach and explain about
perfumes which helped us pick fragrances of interest without having to walk
into the store. Our website was also birthed during the pandemic to allow seamless transactions between we and the
customers.
What
do you see as the future of fragrance and beauty retail? The future of fragrance and beauty retail is dynamic and exciting
shaped by evolving customer preferences and industry trends. We see a
significant digital transformation, with our store actively embracing
e-commerce platforms and innovative digital solutions to enhance the customer
shopping experience.
How
do you stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the industry? As a fragrance store owner, staying up to date with the latest
trends and developments in the industry is a priority for us. We actively
engage with industry publications and journals, ensuring we’re well informed
about new trends. Regular communication with various fragrance brands and
suppliers keeps us informed about new product releases and upcoming
collections.
What
has been your biggest challenge as a CEO, and how did you overcome it? There are a lot of challenges that I face. We have now started
shipping orders out of the country and I
must say it’s not been easy. But through it all I know for sure that it would
get easier.
How
do you balance your personal and professional life as a young entrepreneur? Balancing professional and personal as a young entrepreneur requires
a whole lot. I prioritize tasks and set clear boundaries between work and
personal life. I always need to work on my time management and also make use of
tools to stay organized. Scheduling personal time is just as important as work
commitments, ensuring that family, hobbies and self care receive dedicated
attention. I try as much as possible to make my work flexible and also
reflection on my work life balance allow for ongoing adjustments to meet the
demands of entrepreneurship while maintaining personal wellbeing.
Can
you tell us about a particularly memorable experience you've had with a
customer? There are lots of memorable experiences
with customers. There was a customer that came into our store, he was so happy
with our service because of how affordable the perfumes were and it was a blind
buy, he rated us really well because we met his expectations. We got a referral
to his colleagues, they all partronized us. That was a really memorable
experience for me.
How
important is customer service to the success of your business? Customer service is integral to the success of Fragrance planet.
This forms the foundation of customer loyalty and also creates a positive
shopping experience. By giving our customers exceptional service, it builds
trust and credibility. In a competitive fragrance industry, our commitment to
excellent customer service extends to our online platforms like Instagram,
TikTok, Whatsapp, contributing to a positive online reputation and attracting
customers.
What
is your vision for Fragrance Planet in the next five years? The vision of Fragrance planet is to upgrade the brand and have
more short lets around the globe.
How
do you give back to your community or support local causes? At Fragrance planet, giving back to the community is a core part of
our mission. Charitable donations and
contributions are important to your support for our local causes, with a
percentage of our sales going to charities and fundraisers. We adhere to
ethical practices contributing to the wellbeing of the community and the
environment. Public awareness amplifies our commitment to social and
environmental issues, reinforcing our dedication to make an impact in the community.
Can
you share any upcoming events or collaborations that Fragrance Planet will be
involved in? There’s none for now.
How
do you ensure that your business is environmentally sustainable? At Fragrance planet, environmental sustainability is a central focus
and we have implemented various initiatives to align with our commitment. Our
dedication to eco friendly packaging choices, actively working to reduce
packaging waste and explore innovative, sustainable solutions.
How
do you manage and motivate your employees? As a
director, directing, organizing our team is a top priority. Clear and
transparent communication is fundamental, ensuring that goals and expectations
are well understood. Regular feedback and performance reviews contribute
continuous improvement and we prioritize flexibility and work-life balance to
support the wellbeing of our employees.
What
is something that most people don't know about you
or your business? Beneath all this seriousness, I am a dog lover.
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