The Perfume Making Podcast

When Karen started this podcast, she expected to do no more than 20 episodes that would address the most common questions she receives. However, things took a turn and here we are at episode 100. To celebrate this landmark, Karen isn’t going to do the usual and look back at the show’s highlights, instead she is beginning a brand new mini-series based on things that still hold true after 100 shows. KEY TAKEAWAYS With so many tutorials, tiktok accounts and influencers out there, “How do I know if I’m doing this right?” is still a question that Karen gets weekly. Karen explains how to silence all the noise and follow your own path. Many people try to get to the end right at the start. But, developing your style is a process, sometimes that can take years. Karen details how to enjoy this journey and gives some tips on how to get the most out of it. Something Karen still sees a lot of is people investing in materials, signing up to all the courses, making business plans and getting excited and then…nothing. So how do you get over that ‘all or nothing’ mindset to a place of consistency? Karen reveals all. What all of the above points share is permission. The ability to give yourself permission to work the way you want and create the fragrances you want will be crucial to your success. Karen explains how you can do this. BEST MOMENTS “If your method gets you making perfume, it’s working.” “Your signature style is going to reveal itself when you stop trying to invent it.” “There is no one right rhythm. Just the one that keeps you connected to yourself and your work.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This week Karen is addressing a question she is asked all the time on social media and through email - “I’m obsessed with perfume and I want to start my own brand, but I don't have the money to invest…can you help me for free?” Well, the answer is yes and no. In this episode, Karen breaks down the hard truths of starting a perfume brand, and whilst you can’t do it for free, it doesn't have to cost the world. Covering what you can start with, what you can do for free and where you need to be realistic Karen is here to share all her years of experience so you can get started on your dream project without breaking the bank. KEY TAKEAWAYS Whilst you can learn for free, it does cost money to start a perfume brand, however, it might not be the amount you are thinking of. Karen discusses the importance of creating a budget and what are the non-negotiables. Starting a new venture can be very exciting and most people have a tendency to do the fun parts first, but this can make you overlook the important parts. Karen explains the importance of setting out your process from the start and doing things in the right order. With so many products available to create in the fragrance category, why would you choose perfume first? Despite its cost, and the learning curve involved, as Karen explains, it is the ideal first product to create. You’ve got the fragrance, but now you need to sell it? From bottle sizes to packing designs, Karen gives her top tips on what that product launch should look like. BEST MOMENTS “If you’re selling to the public, your product has to be safe, stable, legal and professional.” “Don’t confuse activity with progress.” “Guessing can get very expensive, very quickly.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This week on the show, Karen is joined by Thomas Dunckley AKA The Candy Perfume Boy, 6 time Jasmine award winner, writer, trainer and industry consultant. After taking a step away from the industry Thomas has returned with a new mission and a new branding - ‘Making Scents Make Sense’. Thomas’ mission is to cut through the snobbery and gatekeeping traditionally associated with the perfume industry in an attempt to make it more accessible to more people. In this interview with Karen, Thomas breaks down his mission, his manifesto and how, piece by piece, the influencers and bloggers are making the fragrance industry accessible. KEY TAKEAWAYS Despite most people's familiarity with blogging, in the grand scheme, it is still a relatively new medium. Karen and Thomas discuss how blogging was first perceived when it was adopted by the perfume industry and how it helped change the industry for the better. Blogging opened the door to the influencers and influencer culture. Thomas discusses how influencers on TikTok and YouTube have helped transform the perfume industry without the need for all the knowledge that was being held by gatekeepers for so many years. After suffering from burnout from having so many projects, Thomas took a step away from the perfume industry and his alter ego of The Candy Perfume Boy. However, when inspiration struck he made a comeback. He explains to Karen why he decided to come back and how he was determined to do it on his own terms. “If you smell it, it’s there” - This is a phrase that Thomas wholeheartedly believes in. He explains to Karen the meaning he takes from it and how that meaning extends to other avenues of the fragrance industry, and, how it helps open the doors of the industry to anyone. BEST MOMENTS “The rise of influencer culture has stripped away most of the snobbery from the big brands.” “Perfume marketing is gender specific, but fragrance doesn’t have gender.” “In the past, the industry didn’t know what was happening outside the industry, but with the advent of influencers, that has changed.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind EPISODE LINKS Making Scents Make Sense Thomas Dunckley Website The Candy Perfume Boy Blog ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is joined by Artisan Perfumery Mastermind alumni Gabrielle Durand, the founder of natural fragrance brand ‘On the Nose’ perfumes. After a long career in the corporate world of HR, Gabrielle decided to take a leap of faith and follow her lifelong dream of being a perfumer. Changing your career late in life can be a very daunting prospect, but Gabrielle was determined to succeed. In this inspirational interview with Karen, Gabrielle takes us, step by step, on her journey from day job to dream job. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gabrielle had a long and successful career in HR, however the bug to be a perfumer was one that hadn’t left her since childhood. She recounts to Karen how a chance encounter with online learning led her into her dream career at the tender age of 50. Gabrielle started making perfumes as a test. Confident that she could make it into a business, it wasn’t until her friend and family started asking for refills that she realised other people were taking it seriously too. She explains to Karen how this spurred her on to take the leap into full time perfumery. The lessons Gabrielle learned in the corporate world served her well when she launched her new perfume business. She details how she used her learnings to make sure her brand was ready to launch and how it allowed her to communicate her style and vision effectively. A lot of people carry around the misconception that it’s too late to try something new. Gabrielle, who came to perfumery in her 50’s, explains to listeners why it’s never too late to make a change. BEST MOMENTS “It's not just about getting your product to a customer, it’s about making that experience valuable and memorable.” “In a year, you’re going to be a year older and you’re still going to be questioning if you should make a change. So do it now.” “It’s not just about getting the perfume right, it’s also about getting the packaging and design right. VALUABLE RESOURCES Perfume Business Launch Plan Bespoke Perfumery Masterclass Artisan Perfumery Mastermind Getting Started Guide EPISODE LINKS On The Nose Perfumes On The Nose Perfumes Instagram Sniffing Out The Details blog ABOUT THE GUEST Gabrielle Durand is the founder of On The Nose Perfumes, a natural luxury brand for those who believe natural shouldn’t mean simple. A self-professed maximalist at heart, she creates complex, high-impact fragrances using only pure, natural materials - no shortcuts, no synthetics.Her work blends craftsmanship, creativity, and a deep respect for nature to offer a new vision of what luxury perfumery can be. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is joined by Kate Beavis, a social media strategist and content expert. Kate has been working with Karen since 2018 on her social media presence to make her brand feel authentic and not overwhelming. And, after Karen’s initial reluctance to use social media, Kate has shown her the many benefits that can come from embracing your online presence. In this interview, Kate spills the many secrets, tips and tricks she has learned over the years, from which social media platform you should use to how to drive engagement with your posts, so that you can grow your online presence and, ultimately, your brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS When Kate started working with Karen they both agreed that Karen’s social media profile was well below average, because she was making some of the most common mistakes. Kate breaks down what those mistakes are and how to avoid them. With so many social media platforms these days it’s hard to know which ones to join. Do you pick one or join multiple? Kate explains her method for discovering which is the best platform for you. For all its advantages, social media can be a difficult tool if you are looking to create direct sales of your product. Kate discusses how to overcome this hurdle and use the tools available to you to your advantage. The idea of creating a new post every day for your social media feeds can be exhausting. However, repurposing old posts can be an invaluable solution to this problem. Kate shares how to repurpose your content and the benefits that can come from this. BEST MOMENTS “Most people only show up on social media when they have something to sell or have something personal to say. The trick is to get a mix of both.” “Don’t chase perfectionism. Building a community is infinitely more important than having a perfect feed.” “The aim of every post is to get your audience and other people to interact.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind EPISODE LINKS The Indie Practice Bossing Midlife Kate's Instagram ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

The world of indie perfumes has become extremely crowded, leading people to wonder if there is space for their product in a marketplace full to the brim. And, that is the question Karen is here to address this week. Entering any marketplace as a beginner can feel daunting, but facing one that is over-saturated and full of high end brands posing as independent can easily be enough to give you second thoughts. However, in this week's episode, Karen is here to tell you that you have nothing to fear and, there is space for you, as long as you find your niche… KEY TAKEAWAYS Gatekeeping will tell you there is only one way to become a perfumer and if you don’t follow that path, you’re doomed to fail. However, Karen does not buy into this theory and explains how there are in fact many routes into the perfume industry. A lot of people reverse engineer their product by looking for something that doesn’t exist in the marketplace and then creating a product to fit that space. But, as Karen explains, the real niche is already inside of you, you just have to find it. But, how do you find that niche? Karen shares her personal journey on how she discovered hers and gives you some guidance on how you might find yours. To help you find your place in the perfume world, Karen has created a set of journal prompts and an accompanying audio guide. She explains how they work and what you will achieve by using them. BEST MOMENTS “It’s not always the flashiest branding or fanciest bottle that creates lasting impact. What really cuts through the noise is the work that feels intentional.” “What the world doesn’t need is more generic.” “The thing that feels the most ‘you’ is often the thing that you have been dismissing as too weird or too impractical.” EPISODE LINKS: Free Journal Prompts + Audio Guide VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Last week Karen took the time to reflect but, as most of us do after we have a brief rest bite, she now feels the pressure to act with urgency creeping up on her. So, what happens when ambition and energy are at complete odds? The pressure we place on ourselves to be instantly successful, coupled with the pressure from society, is very real and can cause us to doubt our every move. However, the one thing that society doesn't teach us is that success is subjective. In this week's episode, Karen is here to tell you that you’re doing great, that you don’t have to conform, and shares with you the secrets to finding your own path. KEY TAKEAWAYS One common thought people have after a period of reflection is that you “have missed your moment”, which is only enhanced by the current culture of ‘early success is the best success’ However, Karen suggests that, if you pause and look, you might actually be exactly where you need to be. Finding your own rhythm and way of working is the key to success. Karen shares some tips, and a valuable resource on how to find the working method that works for you. Karen has discovered that the best working method for her is what she calls ‘Clarity and Flow.’ She explains what this means, how she achieves it and the benefits she receives from working this way. As much as you can perfect your working methods by yourself, there is still one component that everyone needs…external help. Karen explains the importance of asking for help and suggests some places to look. BEST MOMENTS “You have to learn how to move forward differently with compassion and support in a way that works for you.” “The truth is that most meaningful work takes time.” “The path of creativity is not linear.” “Rest is not a reward, it's a requirement.” EPISODE LINKS Free Journal Prompts and Audio Guide Mindset Course VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online, which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen has just returned from a four week trip around Australia where she attended a family wedding and spent time catching up with old friends. However, what struck her unexpectedly, was what she discovered about herself, and her creative process, once she actually stopped and got off the hamster wheel. On this week’s episode, Karen shares both her travel experiences and what they revealed to her in the larger scheme of things, once she had time to look back and reflect. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen spent some time catching up with old friends in Australia. However, when she was there she realised that the friendships had stood the test of time because of the similar career paths they had all taken. She reflects on this and explains the importance of ‘finding your tribe.’ One of Karen’s friends had recently moved back to Australia and was embarking on a new career, but was doubting herself. Karen talks about these transition phases and how it is easy to question if we have made the right choice, but shares tools that you can use to evaluate. Karen’s next visit was to an artist friend that lives on a farm and uses discarded materials for her artwork. This led Karen to the realisation that we often fall into a trap of thinking we need a perfect plan and all the best tools to start creating, but, as she explains, you might just need what is already there. One of the big things that Karen did when she was away was not work. But, she also found herself not checking social media or worrying about her regular day to day activities. She talks about how this enabled her inspiration to return as she was no longer pressured to create from the pressure of being on the hamster wheel. BEST MOMENTS “When we travel there are some really valuable insights that we can stumble upon.” “We are allowed to evolve and we are allowed to do it in our own time.” “There are infinite ways to live and create, find the one that works for you.” EPISODE LINKS

This week Karen is joined on the show by Karen Haller, an expert in behavioural colour psychology and author of ‘The Little Book of Colour’, to discuss how colour shapes our experience of scent. The first thing any consumer sees when they interact with your product is the colours, and whether you mean it or not, the consumer will have an emotional response to that colour. In this fascinating interview, Karen shares her vast knowledge on the use of colour, how it makes us feel and behave and how you can use colour to maximum effect to influence your customers and elevate your brand. KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen tried a variety of careers before she arrived at colour psychology. She explains how an epiphany moment with a brown hat and teal feathers opened a whole new world to her. Karen discusses how brands use colour, both its hue and saturation, to form consumers' preconceptions around the scent and taste of a product. Whether we want to or not, we make assumptions on products as soon as we see the colours. Karen explains why this happens and the importance of aligning the colours of your brand to your product. Karen outlines how you can use colour to add aspects to your branding that you might not otherwise be able to afford. BEST MOMENTS “One of the biggest myths of colour psychology is that all hues of the same colour give us the same response.” “We see colour before anything else and colour is an emotion.” “If your branding and ethos doesn’t align with your colours then your customers will be turned off.” EPISODE LINKS Karen Haller Website The Little Book of Colour Karen Haller Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is talking to Silvia Yonkova, founder of Rose Overdose, a company that grows roses and produces stunning fragrances from them. But, on top of this, Silva also hosts a yearly ‘Rose Retreat’ where budding perfumers can experience what it’s like to harvest roses and work with organic materials. In this interview with Karen, Silvia shares her family's rich history with roses, what inspired her to move into the world of perfumery and gives details of her not-to-be-missed retreat. KEY TAKEAWAYS Silvia grew up in a family of rose growers. However, when she was young she began to notice a huge difference between the roses her family grew and those available to the public. She explains how this set her on her journey to perfumery. Synthetic rose materials are used in most perfume creations. Silvia explains why this is the case which leads the ladies into a discussion about the differences between natural and synthetic rose materials. Silvia explains what happens at her rose retreats and how she aims to give visitors a different experience from the standard tourist one. Despite her rich history with and love for roses, as Silvia explains to Karen, it was her desire to show the world that Bulgaria doesn’t just smell of roses that led her to perfume making. BEST MOMENTS “What makes the Bulgarian rose so unique is that it is unapologetic.” “Don’t be in a rush to create your fragrances. Enjoy the journey and let the materials reveal themselves to you.” “What you smell with synthetic rose materials is not what roses actually smell like. There is no comparison.” EPISODE LINKS Rose Overdose Website Rose Overdose Retreat Rose Overdose Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind In-person class ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Following on from last week’s episode, Karen is once again joined by Pia Long for part 2 of her interview. In this second part Pia gets into the passionate side of her career. As she explains to Karen, she has long been an outspoken advocate for regulation reform and fragrance compliance. She explains her views to Karen, and how her work and advocacy led her to be the recipient of unexpected recognition. KEY TAKEAWAYS In 2024 Pia received the ‘Septimus Piesse Visionary Award’ from the Institute of Art and Olfiction for her advocacy work around regulations, she explains to Karen the work behind the award. Candle fragrances are one of the most challenging areas of perfumery. Pia explains why and gives a breakdown of the regulations involved. Pia talks about the state of regulations in the fragrance trade today and why it is a perfect entry point for people looking to break into the industry. Pia discusses her creative vision, the things that inspire her perfume making and the importance she places on having a story around her brand and scents. BEST MOMENTS “A lot of people don’t understand that a fragrance is a fragrance.” “For the first time since IFRA was founded we’re seeing a shift toward regulations that are so overwhelming that people can’t cope.” “We take time perfecting our products so that we do justice to them, not just as a novelty.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind In-person class ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is delivering the first of a two-part interview with Pia Long, head perfumer at Olfiction. Pia has worked in almost all areas of the perfume industry from sales and marketing to product development and quality control. She has, to use a cliche, seen and done it all. In the first part of this interview, Pia goes into depth about her incredible journey from student to master and talks with Karen about the changes she has seen in the industry over the years that give her hope that the budding perfumers of today may not have to journey the long, hard road she faced. KEY TAKEAWAYS Pia breaks down her fascinating journey that led her from a language school in Finland to working in TV and film in London and how a very early mid-life crisis led her into the world of perfumery. Karen and Pia discuss how the vast number of roles within the creative industry often teach you transferable skills that may not be instantly recognisable. The ladies discuss how much the online community of perfumers has changed over the years and how, unlike when they both began, there is a world of knowledge and support at your fingertips. Despite the advances in the accessibility to education and resources it still can be extremely difficult to break into the perfume industry. Karen and Pia discuss the concept of gatekeeping and what you can do to get past it. BEST MOMENTS “It's extremely difficult to break into the perfume industry, but if you have passion and determination it is possible.” “The process itself should give you a kick, it shouldn't be about wanting to become famous or being known as a genius.” “What most people don’t realise is that problem solving is very much a feature of the job when you’re a perfumer.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week marks the final episode in Karen’s back to basics mini series, and as a special treat, she is focusing on something that often gets overlooked - fragrance journaling. Although many people don’t have one, a fragrance journal is a key tool to helping you progress as a perfumer. Whether its notes on your formulation or mood boards for inspiration, your journal should be your personal bible for your perfume making journey. In this episode, Karen breaks down why you should have one, what to put in it and how you can then use that information to take your perfume making skills to the next level. KEY TAKEAWAYS A fragrance journal is an underused tool in perfume making, but Karen aims to change that as she explains the many invaluable reasons for having one. What exactly do you write in a fragrance journal? Karen details the many wonderful and important pieces of information that should go into your journal to help you progress. It’s not just notes that go into your journal. Karen explains how you can utilise digital technology to take your journal to the next level. Once you’ve added information to your journal, then what? As Karen reveals, this is only half of the process, and, where the real learning starts. BEST MOMENTS “A journal helps you sharpen your skills and create perfumes with more confidence.” “A journal means you're not relying on your own memory. It gives you a record of what works and what doesn’t.” “If you regularly review your entries and apply what you have learnt, it will help you to become a better perfumer. EPISODE LINKS Master your materials Fast Track Your perfume making with an in person class Artisan Perfumery Mastermind VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen is back for part three of her ‘Back to Basics’ mini series and this week she is taking a look at how to set up your workspace so you can create perfume safely and efficiently. When we start something new, diving in and trying everything at once is exciting and refreshing, but without proper preparation and organisation this way of working can lead to headaches down the road. In this episode Karen is here to explain not only how to organise your workspace, but why it is essential to do it in a safe and organised manner so that you can start your perfume making journey 100% prepared. KEY TAKEAWAYS When you first start making perfume it can be exciting and you can easily find yourself trying a hundred things at once. But, as Karen explains, there can be some drastic consequences to not handling your materials correctly. From ventilation to goggles and surface cleaner to storage, Karen goes into detail on the basics you need to have a safe workspace. Once you’ve got your workspace all set it is a good time to revisit dilution. Karen discusses how correct dilution practices can assist you in having efficient working practices. When you’re in ‘flow’ it can be easy to make simple mistakes. Karen talks about the importance of labelling, not just your materials, but also your blends. And, what you should put on those labels. BEST MOMENTS “Getting into good safety habits from the get go is going to make your perfume making journey so much easier.” “If you are selling your fragrances, or even just thinking about giving them to your friends and family, it is so important to understand basic safety rules.” “Storage isn’t just about keeping your materials fresh, it’s about avoiding spillages and making sure your materials don’t oxidise.” EPISODE LINKS Master your materials Set Up your Workspace Make A Perfume Oil Fast Track Your perfume making with an in person class Artisan Perfumery Mastermind VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen’s ‘back to basics’ mini-series continues this week with part two, which takes a look at ‘Formulation’. Formulation is, as Karen says, “The reason you are here.” It is the very essence of perfume making, but it is also an area that most beginners rush into and, by doing so, make a number of costly, but easily avoidable, mistakes. In this episode, Karen breaks down the basics of formulation, guides you through the process of creating stunning formulas and goes into detail on the most common mistakes so that you can avoid them and formulate with ease. KEY TAKEAWAYS A mistake a lot of beginners make is to throw their favourite materials together and expect a beautiful-smelling scent. However, as Karen explains, without a complete understanding of what each material will bring to the party, this will inevitably end in disaster. Karen introduces the idea of scent mapping - a way to organise and guide your material selection. She discusses in detail how it works and how it can enable you to create solid formulations. Less is often more when it comes to formulation. Karen gives her advice on how to avoid a very costly mistake - using too many conflicting materials. What are the most common mistakes that beginners make when it comes to formulation? Karen goes over them in detail and gives you pointers on how to avoid them. BEST MOMENTS “There’s a temptation to throw together your favourite materials and hope that something magical will happen, but successful perfumes are not just about mixing materials that you love the smell of.” “As you get comfortable with formulation it is easy to fall into a few common traps. Knowing what to watch out for is going to save you time.” “Just because you’ve got something that smells great initially, doesn’t mean you have to stop. you can still tweak it.” EPISODE LINKS In Person Class Artisan Perfumery Mastermind VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is introducing a new mini series that will be looking back at the basics of creating your own fragrances. In this first part Karen is tackling the topic of selecting the right materials. With so many options out there, material selection can be an overwhelming task for first timers. But, Karen is here to guide you through everything from synthetics or naturals to choosing the right supplier and how to store your materials so that you can begin your perfume making journey today. KEY TAKEAWAYS There’s a trap that most first time perfumers fall into, and that is buying any and all materials that you come across. Karen discusses how to set your own criteria for the materials you should buy. Natural or Synthetic Materials? - a question that every first time perfumer will find themselves asking. Karen breaks down the pros and cons of each. Once you’ve selected your materials, where do you buy them from? As Karen stresses, it’s crucial to buy your materials from quality suppliers, and she tells you the things to look out for. Now that you have your materials you have to store them correctly. Karen outlines the crucial do’s and don’ts of material storage. BEST MOMENTS “When you start out, it’s important to choose materials that align with your creative vision.” “Knowing your style is going to help you make more informed choices when selecting materials.” “If you’re unsure about a certain material, buy a sample and experiment before buying in bulk.” EPISODE LINKS Materials Mastery In Person Class Artisan Perfumery Mastermind VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week, Karen is going all the way back to a fundamental topic for those starting their journey in perfumery - “Why alcohol based perfumes are the best starting point for beginners.” Alcohol, as a base material, often gets overlooked and has many false narratives surrounding it. But, it is actually the best place to start your perfume journey. In this episode, Karen is here to explain what makes alcohol so unique and debunk all those myths surrounding it so that you can start your perfume making journey with ease. KEY TAKEAWAYS Alcohol evaporates very quickly. Most people learn this and instantly assume it to be a negative. However, Karen explains why this property is a game changer for beginners. How do your materials react to an alcohol base versus an oil base? Karen breaks down in detail the difference between the two. Alcohol is a very volatile solvent. Karen explains how this property allows you to create scents with more complexity and depth. There are many myths surrounding the use of alcohol in perfumery, such as “alcohol dries out the skin.” Karen is here to debunk those myths. BEST MOMENTS “Alcohol reveals the true nature of your materials clearly and cleanly.” “If you have built your business around oil based scents, don’t abandon that entirely, you can introduce alcohol slowly.” “Alcohol based perfumes are so much more versatile than oil based.” EPISODE LINKS In Person Classes Artisan Perfumery Mastermind VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen recently received an email from a listener that posed an interesting question…”Should I keep my business doing what is already working or should I branch out and try something new?” Stepping into a new world can be daunting and can leave you second guessing if you’ve made the right choice, however, there is a way to do this and minimise your risk. This week, Karen is here to explain how you can expand your business into new and exciting avenues without losing what you have built and how you can grow your brand with confidence. KEY TAKEAWAYS Before you start introducing new ways of working, or even new product lines, take a long hard look at what you’re already doing. As Karen explains, if it’s working, there’s a reason for that, so look at how you can leverage that to support other parts of the business. What are the best products to get started with when thinking about expansion? Karen details some of the easiest products to develop and gives you a warning about the ones to avoid. Karen breaks down the principle of the ‘soft launch’ and how it can help you to test new products without the excessive time and expense of a full launch. The fear of fear itself is often the very thing that holds us back from getting where we want to go. Karen discusses what that fear might actually be about and how to overcome it. BEST MOMENTS “There’s a lot of power in stability and it’s the smartest place to grow from.” “Ultimately you want to gain the skills to design scents that truly represent your brand.” “The biggest thing that can stop us getting where we want to go is fear.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

On this week's show Karen is joined by a leader in the tech world of fragrance, Camila Thomas. Founder of Air Parfum, a device that allows you to test multiple fragrance without sensory overwhelm, WikiParfum, a digital encyclopedia of fragrance, and ScentXP, a platform that bridges the gap behind online and in-store scent discovery. In this interview with Karen, Camila explains how technology and AI are revolutionising the consumer experience in the fragrance sector, why an open attitude to tech will benefit everybody and how sight is the new smell. KEY TAKEAWAYS When Camila, who had a background in the world of tech, entered the fragrance industry she identified a disconnect between the consumer and the product that she felt could be bridged with new technology. She explains to Karen how these initial discoveries started the journey that she is on today. Most companies that develop new technology in the fragrance industry limit its use to their own fragrances. Karen and Camila discuss the importance of opening up our tech to the whole sector. Wikiparfum, the digital encyclopedia that Camila developed, allows consumers to understand what fragrances will smell like without actually smelling them. Camila explains how the platform works. Airparfum is a device that allows people to test multiple scents without overwhelming their senses. Camila explains how it was developed, how it works and why it revolutionises fragrance testing. BEST MOMENTS “Fragrance is a category that many people in marketing love, but very few understand.” “The only way to make the right recommendation of a fragrance is to make it for the individual, independently, regardless of who makes the fragrance.” “The ability to visualize a scent suddenly makes it a universal language.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Happy New Year and welcome to the first episode of 2025. Before bursting into the new year with a host of new content, Karen is here to deliver an interactive episode that will allow you to look back and reflect on 2024. Whilst you may not think you achieved much last year, Karen is here to offer you some prompts and advice that might just make you think different. And, once you’ve completed your recap of 2024 Karen will walk you through how these observations can help make 2025 a year to remember. KEY TAKEAWAYS Before Karen takes a look back at 2024 she shares some titbits of what listeners can look forward to on the show in 2025 and some information on her upcoming courses. Karen invites you to challenge yourself and write down the achievements you made during the last 12 months. Whilst they may appear to be small at first, writing them down may lead to a revelation. What are your values? A question that not many of us think about. Karen encourages you to make a list of your values, look back at how you might have compromised on them in the past and how that can help you to be more aligned with them in the future. Having looked back at last year, Karen sets you the task of taking what you have learned and setting your intentions for the next 12 months. Not sure what these can be? Don’t worry, Karen is on hand to offer some suggestions. BEST MOMENTS “The more you reflect, the more you will realise how far you have come.” “We put so much pressure on ourselves with new year resolutions, why not try setting a new year's intention instead.” “Sharing your goals makes them more real. Talk to your friends or your online community about the things you want to achieve.” EPISODE LINKS The Scent Shift In Person Classes VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week marks the third and final part of Karen’s mini series on her scent shift programme. This time of year we all make promises to ourselves about how the next twelve months will be different but, as we all know, these promises never last. The reason they never last is that we always fail to create new habits, which are the key to lasting change. Karen is here to help. In this episode, she explains how to use scent to form and sustain positive habits so that 2025 can be the year of change for you in more ways than one. KEY TAKEAWAYS Having a positive mindset is great, as is acting on positive emotions, but real change comes about when we change our habits. Karen outlines why and how habits are the key to improvement. Karen breaks down the science of habits, how we form them and how we stick to them, and explains how scent can accelerate and enhance this process. Karen explains the practical steps you need to take in order to link a habit to a scent. Just in case you’re struggling for inspiration, Karen gives you some examples of scents and the habits that they could be linked to. BEST MOMENTS “By linking a specific scent to a specific habit we create a natural cue that helps us move from intention into action.” “Your brain automatically creates neurological shortcuts based on the scents in your life.” “Scent can help you transform your habits from a chore into a natural part of your daily life.” EPISODE LINKS Scent Shift Programme £50 off Coupon Code: SS-EB22 VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Welcome to part two of this mini series inspired by Karen's ‘Scent Shift' programme, which looks at how scent can be a tool for meditation and wellbeing. This week, Karen is looking at how to create emotional anchors with scent. Emotional anchors are an incredibly powerful tool that can be harnessed to bring about positive changes to all aspects of your life. But, how do they work, when can you use them and how do you create them? Karen answers all these questions and more so that you can start creating your own emotional anchors today.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Emotional anchors are a powerful tool that can be used to help transport you into a desired emotional state. Karen breaks down the science of how and why they work. You might already be using emotional anchors in your daily life without realising. Karen gives some examples of common emotional anchors and encourages you to be mindful of what is already on your radar.  Karen outlines her three step process to creating emotional anchors of your own.  Emotional anchors can help you in all aspects of life. Karen gives some real world examples of how they can help you.  BEST MOMENTS  “Emotional anchors are created by repeating a scent during emotionally meaningful moments.” “Scent can not just shape your experiences but it can also provide emotional support.” “Emotional anchors make you aware of how the power of scent affects your mindset.” EPISODE LINKS The Scent Shift VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week's episode marks the first in a series of shows inspired by Karen's ‘Scent Shift' programme, which looks at how scent can be a tool for meditation and wellbeing. In this first part, Karen is looking specifically at how fragrance interacts with our brains to influence our emotions. Drawing from the evidence based research, Karen explains not only how this happens, but why. And, teaches you how to utilize this incredible power of scent to your advantage to live a healthier and calmer life.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Why does the smell of perfume, or anything for that matter, invoke an emotional response in us? Karen breaks down the science of why scent impacts us emotionally.  The correlation between scent and mood has been thoroughly researched and is backed up with evidence. Karen gives an overview of how certain scents can influence us emotionally.  We can use the ability of scent to evoke emotions to our benefit, as Karen explains how to ‘set an intention' with a scent to positively influence your day.  In a similar way, we can also use scent to transition our mood or mindset, whether that be wanting to regain focus or to help us switch off after work. Karen explains how you can do this.  BEST MOMENTS  “The connection of scent and memory isn't just anecdotal, it's rooted in how our brains function.” “Scent doesn't just improve emotions, it can be used to enhance your focus during work, promote creativity or increase energy during workouts.” “Consistency is key. The more you practice, the better you will become.” EPISODE LINKS  The Scent Shift The Scent Shift Live Waitlist EBo Shower Steamers  VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

In this episode, Karen shares valuable insights on transitioning from experimentation to a more structured approach in perfumery. Karen discusses common challenges such as feeling overwhelmed by raw materials, creating balanced accords, and translating ideas into finished fragrances. She provides practical tips like simplifying your palette, starting small with accords, and focusing on fragrance structure and storytelling. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on your fragrance creation journey and grab her special Black Friday offer: The Foundations of Fragrance Collection KEY TAKEAWAYS It's easy to feel stuck when you're trying to pull all of these pieces together by yourself, but it doesn't have to be that way.  Every successful perfumer has been where you are now. We all start out with the same basic challenges.  It's tempting to try everything, but without an understanding of the materials and the specific roles that different materials play, it's really easy to get completely lost or frustrated. Successful perfumery does not happen by accident. It's not just about throwing materials together and hoping for the best. It's about having a clear process and the knowledge to guide your decisions along the way. And that is why I have put together the Foundations of Fragrance Collection.   BEST MOMENTS  “Every successful perfumer started where you are now.” “Simplify your palette. Pick a few materials you are curious about and get to know them deeply.” “Using a mind map, brainstorm or mood board is a great starting point to help you map out your fragrance.”   EPISODE LINKS Foundations of Fragrance Collection VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by Viola Levy, journalist, founder of branding agency ‘Smart, Beauty Creative” and host of the Smart Beauty podcast, a show for beauty business owners who are looking to hone their brand voice. Getting the story of your brand and your products right is essential, and can be the difference between success and failure. That's why, in this interview, Viola and Karen cover all you need to know about transforming your business from a retailer to a storyteller.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Viola started her career as a journalist and found that a lot of the companies she was writing about were in the beauty sector. Whilst doing this work she noticed a gap in the market which, as she explains here, led her to set up her own company. Karen and Viola discuss the incredible rise of indie brands over the last decade, what this means for consumers, but also, how the bigger designer brands have reacted to this growth. As Karen often states, and Viola agrees, creating a story around your scents is the most important thing you can do in terms of marketing. Viola explains why this is a ‘non negotiable' and gives her insights into how to make this effective. Historically, brands have put all of their time and effort into creating a fragrance and then launched into the marketplace. However, as Viola explains, there is so much more value in bringing your customers along on the journey from day one.   BEST MOMENTS  “There's so much choice out there now, and that's a great thing. People like to change their perfume as often as they change their clothes.” “Brands have to have an opinion and a voice, they need to show they're passionate about more than just selling their products.” “AI is a great tool, but it shouldn't be in the driving seat. You'll always need a human touch.” EPISODE LINKS Smart Beauty Website Smart Beauty Podcast Smart Beauty Instagram Smart Beauty Linkedin Smart Beauty Email VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide             Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Having worked in the beauty industry for over 15 years, Viola is an award-winning journalist, copywriter and brand consultant. As an established writer, Viola has contributed to all sectors of the beauty world, with articles appearing in Vogue, Glamour, The Evening Standard, and Refinery29. In addition she has written copy for several major beauty brands and retailers, including Aromatherapy Associates, 111SKIN, Cult Beauty, Boots, By Terry, and Superdrug, and in 2019, she won a Fragrance Foundation Jasmine Award for Best Short Piece and was shortlisted for Best Social Engagement. She has also written global trend reports for major forecasting agency WGSN, focusing on how consumer needs and habits have changed since the global pandemic. From her years of experience, Viola has seen the beauty world rapidly change over the past decade. The way brands speak to customers has evolved. It's less about playing on women's low self-esteem, inventing problems (and products to “solve” them) or peddling false promises and miracles in jars. It's more about feeling better (not just by looking better), intelligent discussions and promoting inclusivity. Which is why she set up Smart Beauty Creative to create the next generation of forward-thinking, feminist brands, helping to pave the way for a new, diverse and more enlightened beauty industry. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email              

After receiving a couple of emails from people who were reluctant to join Karen's online workshops because they were to be hosted on Facebook, Karen has been inspired to produce an episode on social media. Whilst social media is ever present in our lives and can be seen to have negative effects on our health and wellbeing, if you use it correctly, it can be an extremely powerful tool for business. In this episode, Karen gives a full overview of social media, its many platforms, the areas to be wary of and how you can leverage it to get the most out of it for your business.   KEY TAKEAWAYS ●      Karen started her first business long before social media existed. For those of you unsure of how much social media has benefited small business marketing, Karen outlines the differences between then and now. ●      Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, Youtube, Pinterest - There are so many social media platforms that could help you but, which one, or combination, is right for you? Karen breaks down the pros and cons of each. ●      Despite some people's objections to social media Karen continues to use Facebook to deliver her training courses. She outlines why she thinks it's a platform that works. ●      Messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp are also considered social media. Karen details what these apps can do for your business and also their pros and cons.    BEST MOMENTS  “Social media is an incredible tool to help single person businesses reach millions of customers for pennies.” “It's essential that you look at social media as a business tool and not as a consumer space.” “The best thing about social media - You don't pay for advertising.”   EPISODE LINKS The Scent Shift VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide             Artisan Perfumery Mastermind     ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email              

Running a successful perfume business doesn't just require someone who can blend materials to create a sweet scent, or someone who can market effectively. A truly successful perfume business also requires someone with the right mindset. That's why, this week on the show, Karen is taking a break from regular programming and presenting an interactive episode designed to change your mindset. With exercises on planning your future, overcoming fears and stepping into the unknown, this episode will give you the tools to be successful and elevate your journey as a perfumer to the next level.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Can any of us know what your future looks like? What if we could actually create the future we want for ourselves? Karen invites you to participate in an exercise that can help you create the future you want.  What are you afraid of? Lack of money? Time? Karen shares an exercise that encourages you to face your fear and, in doing so, may reveal that the thing you are afraid of is not what it first seems to be.  Nobody likes to fail, and we often partner failure with thoughts of quitting. However, as Karen explains, failure can be better than success for our long term growth. And, she shares an exercise for reframing your failures.  Stepping outside of our comfort zones is a daunting prospect, especially if we find ourselves in a place of relative success. Karen shares an exercise that will help you take a leap forward, and it's not as scary as you first think.  BEST MOMENTS  “Let your vision be your anchor.” “When we start to make progress it is often our fear of failure that can hold us back.” “Our fears are there to keep us safe, but they can also keep us stuck, if we don't acknowledge them.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen recently received an email asking for her advice on launching a perfume brand. However, the author of the email had only given themselves a 6 month deadline to get everything ready to launch. Karen's instant reaction - “This is not enough time.” Perfume making is not just a science, it's an art. And, like all art, it can't be rushed. In this episode, Karen doubles down on the importance of taking your time to get where you want to go and explains the process and procedures for making sure you do it right.    KEY TAKEAWAYS It's natural to want to jump to the end when starting your own business, after all, you want to start seeing the money coming in. But, as Karen explains, your role will change dramatically once your business is active so it is important to master one area before moving to the next.  Perfume making isn't just about creativity, it's about understanding the materials. Karen explains how this essential aspect of perfume making should not be rushed and the consequences if you do rush it.  When you launch into the perfume market, you compete with countless other brands. The one thing that can, and often does, set you apart is presenting a product made with care and attention. Karen explains how to do this without rushing.  Karen ends the episode by sharing her top tips on how to embrace and enjoy the process of perfume making, making sure you spend the right amount of time on the right things.  BEST MOMENTS  “The most important and enjoyable part of the perfume making journey is the learning and creating.” “The more time you spend trying things out, the more confident you're going to become as a perfume maker.” “When you've taken the time to find your voice in your brand, it really shows in your work and that's what will make you stand out.” EPISODE LINKS The Scent Design Challenge  Deep Work - Cal Newport  The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron (Morning Pages)   VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is joined by Liz Grech, an alumni of Karen's Artisan Perfumery Mastermind course and founder of Olentium, a perfume brand based in Malta. Liz started her career as a journalist before the birth of her son unexpectedly moved her into the world of fragrance. In this interview with Karen, she discusses her career trajectory, how it takes time to find your voice, what you can do as an indie brand to compete with the big boys and how it felt to be a finalist at the Art & Olfaction Awards in 2024.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Liz had a successful career in journalism. When her son was born she began to be interested in various skin care products and how they would affect a newborn. She explains to Karen how this eventually led her into the world of fragrance. Coming from a journalistic background, Liz has a deep understanding of the importance of having a story to your fragrances. She describes to Karen how she uses classic literature, the seasons and her home in Malta to create these stories.  Olentium wasn't Liz's first iteration of her business. She explains to Karen how her brand and philosophy have changed over the years and how she finally found her groove.  One of the restrictions all indie brands face is access to certain materials and packaging as suppliers will not sell in small quantities. Karen and Liz discuss these challenges and some unique ways they have found to work around them.    BEST MOMENTS  “One of the best pieces of advice I can give is ‘know when to stop tinkering'.” “Do what you can with social media, don't think you have to be everywhere doing everything.” “The people that have opted into your email list are the ones that have said ‘I'm interested.', so don't ignore them.”   EPISODE LINKS Olentium Website Olentium Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Anglo-Maltese Olentium founder Liz Grech started out in magazine journalism and digital communications. Pivoting interests over the past decade, Liz gained a diploma in organic cosmetic formulation before taking up perfumery, training both with Karen Gilbert and teaching herself through experimentation. Liz uses a high percentage of botanicals in her mixed-media perfumes, drawing first on those ingredients native to the Mediterranean where she lives. She launched Olentium to merge her life-long passion for fragrance with her desire to capture the spirit and soul of the Mediterranean in scent stories. Her perfume Bal Baroque was a 2024 Finalist in the artisan category of the LA-based Institute of Art & Olfaction Awards.  Liz designs Olentium fragrances in her atelier-lab in a Maltese village house, and sells worldwide online as well as through a growing number of niche perfume stockists.   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show, Karen is taking a break from regular programming and presenting you all with a diary-style episode after spending the last week thinking about staying in alignment with your actions, not just in business, but in life. In this episode Karen covers what it means to stay true to your values and creative goals, the importance of avoiding the shoulds, and her top tips for achieving a work-life balance so that you can stay in perfect alignment.    KEY TAKEAWAYS What does it mean to take aligned action? From her experience, Karen discusses what this means to her and how you might be waiting for the right time when it's now.  One of the best pieces of advice Karen received was to “Stay out of the shoulds.” But what does this mean? How can you do it? And, how can it impact your life? A work-life balance is incredibly important, especially when you work in a creative industry and your job can also be your hobby. Karen talks about how she achieves this balance and how important it is to have one.   Karen has recently lost one of her close friends. As with any bereavement, this has put things into perspective. Karen shares her thoughts on the importance of finding what's important and living life for the now.   BEST MOMENTS  “Trust your gut, start with where you are and what you've got. You can always make changes further down the road.” “You are always going to get more opportunities, so don't feel bad about the ones you turn down.” “There is no perfect time, the time is now.”   EPISODE LINKS October 5 Day Scent Design Workshop  VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email  

This week marks the fourth and final part of Karen's mini-series on fragrance families. And, she's ending the series with one of the most important families - Fougere. Created over a century ago, Fougere has had an immense impact on the perfume industry, from its pioneering use of synthetics to its worldwide appeal with the launch of ‘Brut'. In this episode, Karen tells you all you need to know about Fougere, from why it's lasted so long, the key ingredients, and how to make your Fougere fragrance.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Karen gives a detailed overview of the history of Fougere fragrances, from its initial creation in 1882 by Paul Parquet of Houbigant, its pioneering use of synthetics, and its impact over the decades.  What makes a Fougere a Fougere? Karen breaks down which notes make up the main accord, what qualities each of them adds to the fragrance, and what other materials can be added to enhance the fragrance.  One of the most famous examples of a Fougere fragrance is Brut. But, underneath the marketing and packaging, it is a quite feminine fragrance. Karen talks about the crucial role marketing plays in selling your fragrance.  Karen give a breakdown of some of the most famous Fougere fragrances and how they impacted the family and its evolution.    BEST MOMENTS  “The success of Fougere Royale showed that synthetics could enhance and expand what was possible in perfumery.”  “If you're studying music, you go back and look at the roots to understand it properly. The same is true for perfume.” “As long as you are creating safe perfumes there are no rules as to what a fragrance can be.” EPISODE LINKS Karen's Book  October 5 Day Scent Design Workshop VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen can offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email  

Continuing her deep dive into fragrance families, this week sees Karen delving into the world of Amber fragrances. Known for their warmth, richness, and versatility, amber fragrances have remained incredibly popular from their inception in ancient Egypt to the modern day. Unique in their makeup and with an incredible number of variations, there is a lot to learn about amber fragrances. In this episode, Karen covers everything you need to know to get started on the road to understanding the wonderful world of amber.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Amber fragrances are unique in that they are actually a blend of notes rather than a single ingredient. Karen details the long history of Amber fragrances and how they have significantly developed over generations.  Amber fragrances are known for their warm, comforting smell. But, what gives them this quality? Karen breaks down the various materials that make up a classic amber fragrance.  Amber fragrances date back to ancient Egypt, and there have been hundreds of influential fragrances made over the years. Karen gives details of some of the most influential and encourages you to test them for yourself.  Due to its widespread popularity, there are so many subcategories of amber fragrances. Karen gives an overview of the main subcategories so that you can begin to explore them for yourself. BEST MOMENTS  “Amber fragrances are typically long-lasting because they focus on the base notes.”  “The strength of amber fragrances lies not only in its comforting quality but its ability to be rich and complex.”  “Niche brands have been incredibly influential in pushing the boundaries of what an amber fragrance can be.” EPISODE LINKS Karen's Perfume Book VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher, and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online that demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory senses and create their personalized fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen can offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrances, room scents, and skincare/body care products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase their sense of well-being. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen is continuing her in-depth look at different fragrance families. This week, she's taking a look at the misunderstood Chypre family. Created in 1917, the chypre family of fragrances has never been considered the best or most popular but has stood the test of time, and the family continues to grow with new subcategories being added year on year. In this episode, Karen details everything you need to know about this family of fragrances and explains why you might benefit from creating your very own chypre fragrance.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The chypre fragrance was first created in 1917 by Francois Coty, who was inspired by the island of Cyprus. What he didn't know at the time was how influential it would be and all of the offshoots it would create, as Karen explains. What exactly is a chypre fragrance and why are they so unique? Karen breaks down what notes go into a chypre fragrance and how they all work together. Oakmoss is one of the main ingredients in chypre fragrances but, due to it causing allergies, its usage has been heavily restricted. Karen gives details on other materials that can be used to create an oakmoss scent. There are numerous subcategories of chypre. Karen details the main subcategories, how to identify them, what materials go into them, and gives you some real-world examples that you can sample for yourself. BEST MOMENTS “The interplay between the fresh, floral and earthly elements are what makes a chypre so fascinating.” “The thing that really defines a chypre is the fresh notes in the base.” “If you're looking to make a fragrance that stands out from the crowd, then a chypre fragrance could be the way forward.” EPISODE LINKS Make a Natural Perfume Masterclass Exploring Aromachemicals Second Chance Perfume Book VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide             Artisan Perfumery Mastermind     ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is continuing her series on fragrance families, looking at floral families. The largest and most varied family in fragrance production, florals have stood the test of time and are as popular today as they ever were. From key notes to the difference between soliflore and floral bouquets and a breakdown of some of the most popular notes, Karen covers everything you need to know about this famous family, and also, why they are so popular.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Florals are among the most popular fragrances in the world of perfume. Karen details the reasons behind this and how synthetic materials help creators keep up with demand.  One category of floral fragrances are ‘Floral Bouquets'. This is a fragrance where no single scent stands out above the others. Karen explains the background to these scents and offers some examples for you to sample.  In the 80's it was ‘White Florals' that were popular among consumers. Karen breaks down exactly what a white floral is and some of the classic fragrances that were inspired by them. Micheal Edward, and his fragrance wheel, categorise the subfamilies of florals and how they relate to each other in a unique way. Karen summarises his method and conclusions.   BEST MOMENTS  “Floral fragrances are the most expansive and versatile family in perfumery” “Keep in mind that fragrance classification is a guide, not a rule.” “Every floral note can have a unique part to play, whether they are used as part of a main focus or a complex blend.” EPISODE LINKS Natural Isolates Masterclass Make a Perfume Oil Masterclass Materials Mastery VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is starting a new mini series, looking at each of different fragrance families. And, to start, she's looking at one of her personal favorites, Citrus. In this jam packed show Karen covers what materials go into a citrus fragrance, the right notes to add to make your scent last longer, key regulations to understand and the interesting history of citrus fragrances. And, on top of all of that, Karen also breaks down her step by step guide to help you create your very first citrus fragrance.  KEY TAKEAWAYS What materials go into a citrus fragrance to give it that bright and uplifting quality? Karen breaks down the best materials to achieve a citrus fragrance and gives some top tips on experimenting with different variations of notes.  Citrus notes will normally disappear on the skin within minutes, therefore, it is crucial to mix your fragrance with the right mid and base notes. Karen gives her recommendations for the best notes to make your fragrance last.  Making a citrus fragrance, like any fragrance, requires research. Karen breaks down the fascinating history of citrus fragrances and gives you recommendations of modern fragrances that you can sample and begin to learn from.  So, how do you actually make your own citrus fragrance? Karen explains the process step by step.  BEST MOMENTS  “A well balanced eau de cologne can't just rely on citrus notes, otherwise it will last for 10 seconds on the skin.” “The beauty of a citrus fragrance lies in its simplicity, but achieving that can be a complex task.” “Just because you're using natural materials doesn't mean your product can be used by anyone, they are still packed full of allergens.” EPISODE LINKS Make a Citrus Fragrance Masterclass VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is joined by Kelly Colman, an award winning product expert. After developing and selling her own cosmetics products, Kelly now helps other entrepreneurs find their niche and sell their products on Amazon. Surprisingly, most people don't consider the possibility of selling on Amazon for various reasons, such as the high levels of competition or fear or altering the perception of their brand. However, as Kelly explains in this episode, there are masses of customers already on the platform waiting to buy your products, and she's about to share with you the secrets to accessing them.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Kelly shares with Karen the details of her incredible career journey from dancer to salon owner to product developer and, finally, to where she is today. So many people have developed products and are selling them online, but have never considered the possibility of selling on Amazon. Kelly breaks down what the first research steps are that people should consider before taking this leap. Selling on Amazon isn't as easy as just uploading your product and setting the price. There are hundreds of factors to consider, and most of these, people are unaware of. Kelly explains to Karen the basics of a sales strategy and how you can target the right customers.  With the excessive number of products already on Amazon, how do you stand out? Even with a perfect sales strategy you still have to differentiate yourself from the competition. Kelly shares her top tips on how to rise to the top.   BEST MOMENTS  “There's a really big piece of cake online for sellers and it's accessible to everyone.” “People want perfection out of the gate, but if you haven't done the research and it doesn't sell, you've lost so much money and time.” “Amazon isn't just about selling, it is also a great tool to direct customers to your brand website.” EPISODE LINKS Kelly's Instagram Kelly's Website VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Kelly Colman is the founder of New CID Cosmetics, a multi-award-winning brand she built from the ground up before selling it in 2018. An entrepreneur and industry expert, Kelly now runs One Winning Product, where she helps others create and launch successful products through Amazon and beyond. With a deep understanding of today's fast-paced market, Kelly is passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show, Karen is talking to Kyle Fearn of Redolescent Fragrances. Kyle created his first fragrance as a way to make an emotional connection with his boyfriend who was travelling across the world. This creation started Kyle on a journey of developing fragrances that would tell a story which people could integrate into their lives. Focusing on wellbeing and mental health, Kyle's fragrances have had an incredibly positive impact on the lives of many. And, when his grandmother died, Kyle saw a unique opportunity to turn his grief into love through his most bold creation.  KEY TAKEAWAYS During his time at university Kyle's then boyfriend was moving to Japan to study. Determined to continue their special connection across the globe, Kyle was drawn to the idea of perfume. He explains to Karen how this idea led to the creation of his first fragrance and his future career.  Kyle was suffering from PTSD, having an average of 10 flashbacks a day. One day he climbed a mountain with his mother and, when he reached the summit, he was overcome with peace. He tells Karen how this inspired him to create scents that he hoped would create that sense of peace in others.  Toward the end of his life Kyle's grandfather, David, was suffering with Alzheimer's. When his wife was taken into hospital David received a phone call to say she wouldn't make it through the night. This led to Kyle creating his fragrance “What Time Will My Wife Die?” A fragrance designed to create a conversation around loss.  Karen and Kyle discuss the idea of using scent as a wellbeing tool and a functional fragrance and how choosing the right scent can vastly affect your mood and create a positive feeling within you.  BEST MOMENTS  “Perfume falls between art and science and the most interesting things happen between the intersection of the two.” “Historically, functional fragrances were laundry detergent and bathroom cleaners. But, they can be, and are, so much more now. They are powerful wellbeing tools.” “Smell forms an integral part of early memory structure. If utilised correctly, this can be a powerful tool to promote wellbeing.” EPISODE LINKS Redolescent Website Redolescent Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Kyle Fearn is the perfume maker and owner of Redolescent. Kyle has a degree in chemistry from the University of Cambridge, where he found his passion at the intersection of science and art. His mission? To tell stories through scent. Alongside fragrance, Kyle finds joy in pottery and onstage performances. He lives in the midlands with his husband and two dogs. Redolescent stems from the idea that scents possess the power to weave stories and rekindle memories. Kyle envisioned fragrances that resonated deeply, serving as companions throughout your day and accompanying pivotal moments in life. He also saw the potential to use fragrance as a platform to discuss other topics, such as mental health. Kyle's desire to bridge the gap between fragrance and emotional connection gave rise to Redolescent. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

On this week's show, I'm joined by Ana Kaplan of Kaplan Communications, a PR company that works with beauty and holistic companies. Ana worked for a large PR company but increasingly felt like they didn't match her values. So, during COVID-19, she took the brave move of leaving them behind and setting up her own company that has the unique approach of blending PR and marketing with holistic wellbeing. In this interview with Karen, Ana discusses the importance of creating stories, the all-important ‘hook' and the crucial difference between PR and Marketing.   KEY TAKEAWAYS How do we know when a new venture is the right path to follow? Leading on from Ana sharing her story of how she began her company, we discuss the idea of following your heart and the green flags to look out for. Ana moved from working for a large PR firm to setting up her own. She talks about the lessons she learned from the big firm and how they have shaped her philosophy on both her work and selecting the clients she chooses to work with. What is the difference between PR and marketing? Ana explains, giving examples, so that you can organise and be efficient. ‘The Hook' is one of the most important aspects of creating a piece of modern marketing. But what is a hook?, what makes a good one?, and how does the approach change for different types of media? Ana explains. BEST MOMENTS “When things feel natural and fluent, that's how you know it's meant for you.” “Are your goals coming from a place of ego or from alignment of where we want to be in the world?” “When you're writing a PR story make sure you've done your research on who you are sending it to, don't just cut and paste.” EPISODE LINKS Website: https://www.kaplan-communications.com/about Yin Yoga: https://thepoweryogaco.com/hybrid-plugin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaplancommunications/ https://www.instagram.com/ana.stasia.maria/  VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide             Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Ana Kaplan is a PR specialist focused on supporting wellbeing and beauty brands; she is also a yin yoga practitioner.  Ana holds space for healing yin yoga sessions incorporating galactic reiki to re-calibrate the nervous system as one melts into a deep meditative relaxed state.  From a young age Ana has always been attracted to spirituality and helping people holistically. The benefits of practising yin yoga has created an awareness of a different quality of being which she weaves into her unique PR approach. When she works with clients, Ana harnesses an intuitive edge to deliver valuable and recognised results. By working in alignment through her bespoke PR services, she is able to share her knowledge for all to benefit from her unique and effective PR philosophy.  ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Get your calculators, beakers and bottles ready because this week Karen is tackling the often talked about subject of perfume math, or more simply, the basic calculations involved in creating and scaling up perfume formulations. The idea of perfume math can fill most first timers with dread, especially when considering ratios, scaling up and concentration equations. But, Miss. Gilbert is here to give you the easiest math lesson of your life as she once and for all simplifies perfume math.  KEY TAKEAWAYS You've got your materials measured out, you've made your accords, but now you want to scale up or reproduce that scent. This is the part of perfume making that can stump a lot of people. But, Karen has created a spreadsheet to help you. She breaks down what her spreadsheet can do and how to use it.  Understanding percentages is essential for creating safe and consistent perfumes. But it's easy to become stuck when you want your perfume to smell great but also add up to 100%. Karen shares her insights on how to tackle this problem.  Getting the ratio of your materials correct is key to making sure your scents blend well, but it can be a daunting aspect to learn. Karen shares some of the many tools to help you understand ratios. Complying with regulations and allergy needs requires complex calculations. But, as Karen explains, you might be worrying about something that isn't essential to your production scale. BEST MOMENTS  “There's a misconception that you have to be a math genius to make perfume.” “With practice, focus and the right tools you can master these skills without becoming a math expert.”  “A well balanced ratio ensures that fragrance components work together harmoniously.” EPISODE LINKS Perfume Calculations Spreadsheet - Use Coupon Code to get this for free: PODCAST-FS Episode on Diluting Episode on Jean Carles  VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week's show is inspired by a question Karen received from one of her listeners - “Can you give me your top tips on how to overcome the overwhelm of starting perfume making?”    This is a problem that most first timers encounter. That initial adrenaline rush of creating something new can easily be dampened when you start to dive into the world of perfume making and see just how big it is. But fear not, Karen is here to guide you through her top tips, from starting small to building a support network, so that you can tackle the art of perfume making and become a master.  KEY TAKEAWAYS People can become easily seduced by the appeal of something new and exciting. Karen details what is actually happening to the chemicals in your brain during this time and how you can harness this to your benefit.  When you're in a structured environment like a classroom it can feel easy to create a scent, however, when you're back at home on your own you suddenly find yourself without a plan. Karen breaks down how to create a simple plan you can stick to to avoid getting lost in the process.  It's natural to want to jump to the end and create your magnum opus at the first attempt. However, this will only lead to frustration. Karen explains why creating simple goals is key to the process of becoming a master.  One aspect that can cause great overwhelm is the state of your workspace. Karen talks about the importance of not just having a dedicated workspace but also having it organised and fluid so that it works for you.  BEST MOMENTS  “The main thing that is going to make your career is consistent progress. Never stop moving forward.” “Every mistake you make is an opportunity to improve your skills.” “Engaging in continuous learning is a great way to combat fear." VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week Karen is talking to Anne Onwusowulu, an alumni of Karen's Artisan Perfume Mastermind course. Anne is the founder of fragrance company House of Purple Rose and, along with her husband John, runs a second company, the Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub. However, both of Anne's companies, and all the services they offer, were born out of personal tragedy or challenges she faced on her entrepreneurial journey. In this interview with Karen, Anne inspires as she details the way in which she took every challenge and turned it into an opportunity.   KEY TAKEAWAYS When Anne moved into her new house she found that the open plan nature of it led the smells of food to drift all through the house. She wanted to overcome this problem and started to research candles and diffusers; what she found, however, led her to set up her company, House of the Purple Rose.  When Anne tragically lost her mother, the stress she experienced from this led her to have problems with her skin. Determined to do something about it she went from trying a multitude of different skin care products to launching her own range.  When Anne started House of the Purple Rose she found it impossible to source suppliers that would give her small quantities of materials, as most demanded orders in the thousands. Once again, Anne took this problem and saw an opportunity and formed the Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub. Another of the many services that Anne's companies offer is to formulate a product for indie brands. She talks about this process and some of the brands she has helped to launch. BEST MOMENTS  “People don't realise the high level of technical skill involved in creating skin care products with a scent.” “When creating a fragrance for skin care the goal is to keep it small so that the notes don't clash.” “Everyone needs to take notice of regulations, it is the best thing you can do for your clients.” EPISODE LINKS House of Purple Rose Website House of Purple Rose Instagram Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub Website Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub Instagram Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub YouTube VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Anne Onwusowulu is a seasoned cosmetic chemist and perfumer with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. She is the founder of the House of Purple Rose, a renowned skincare and home fragrance brand. In 2021, Anne and her husband launched the Skin and Hair Manufacturing Hub (SHMH), where she serves as the creative and scientific leader. Anne's extensive background as a cosmetic chemist, herbalist, and aromatherapist has enabled her to create successful products for independent brands. Her passion for discovering and blending the finest ingredients drives her work. Anne is dedicated to making high-quality beauty and home fragrance products accessible to everyone, leading pioneering changes in the industry. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by Michael Paul from Day 3 Fragrances. From childhood Michael was fascinated by magic. Supported by his father, he became a professional magician and toured the world. However, he would always turn to his hobby of perfumery when he was stuck. In time he realised that magic and perfumery were one and the same. During COVID his ability to perform magic ceased, and so his daughter inspired him to start a new form of magic ...perfume making. KEY TAKEAWAYS During Covid Michael's ability to travel and perform magic shows was taken away from him. It was during this time that his daughter inspired him to take his perfume ‘hobby' seriously. Michael talks about letting go of his fears and taking the leap into a new world. From an early age, Michael was fascinated by magic. When he was stuck with a magic problem he would turn to perfumery as an escape. However, he soon realised that magic and perfumery shared many commonalities, some of which he discusses here. Michael has no relationship with his biological mother. When he met his wife, her mother began to treat Michael as her own son, so touched by this Micheal created his first perfume in her honour. He tells the story of how this launched his company.   The rise in the number of artisan perfumers has led to a rise in the number of online reviewers, especially on youtube. Michael talks about the positives and negatives of this trend and how the customer always reacts differently to the reviewers.  BEST MOMENTS  “There's something to be said for telling yourself to stop making excuses and to just start.” “Being able to tell the story of your perfume tells the customer so much more than if they just read the list of ingredients.” “Break the rules. But know them first.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Day 3 Fragrances Day 3 Fragrances Instagram Michael Paul Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Michael Paul is a recipient of the prestigious Art and Olfaction Golden Pear award, and the creative force behind the viral new fragrance house, Day Three Fragrances. Before his transition into the perfume industry, Michael garnered acclaim as a world-renowned close up magician. Today, he uses the principles and philosophies learned from his time as a performer to shape his thoughts on the art of perfumery.Thanks to his unique approach to creative perfumery, Michael Paul has been featured in "Profiles in American Perfumery", and was invited to speak at the 2024 Experimental Scent Summit in Portugal.  This year, he was chosen to create a "Special Edition" perfume for the international ScentXplore fragrance convention in New York City, where he will also be a featured speaker. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

In this week's episode Karen is joined by Jaclyn Bellomo, a cosmetic industry professional with over a decade of experience in regulatory compliance. In the USA, up until now, the FDA has managed and maintained all fragrance industry regulations. However, the biggest overhaul in these regulations is about to occur with the introduction of  MOCRA. But these new regulations don't just impact companies selling from the USA, but also companies selling into the USA. So, what is MOCRA, why is it being implemented and what does it mean to you? Find out on this week's show KEY TAKEAWAYS An overhaul like this does not happen without a great need for it. Jaclyn breaks down where the gaps are in the current FDA regulations and how MOCRA will fill these in.  One of the major changes that will come with MOCRA is how the ‘responsible person' protocol works. Jaclyn explains the new system and how it will apply to companies based both in and out of the US. Jaclyn addresses the most significant changes to the new MOCRA system, adverse events. With examples, she breaks down what adverse events are and how these changes will affect you.  Safety substantiation is another aspect that will be given a complete overall with MOCRA, Jaclyn provides an in-depth overview of what the new system will look like. BEST MOMENTS  “It's always a good idea to get feedback from your customers, but even more so now as you can use this feedback for evidence.” “If you don't comply with MOCRA, there are real world consequences.” “If you have a small artisan brand, working from home, one of the new requirements is that you have a learning period.”   EPISODE LINKS www.registrarcorp.com  KarenGilbert15 – code for your listeners to use to get 15% off our services Jaclyns E-mail  VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Jaclyn Bellomo is a cosmetic industry professional with over a decade of experience in technical formulation, regulatory compliance, product development, and brand management. Jaclyn has spent the majority of her career in the private sector working with multinational brands, specializing in formulations for the beauty and personal care industry from concept to counter. Jaclyn is active on several committees across the industry that focus on education and compliance to ensure there is continued support for the cosmetic  industry.  In addition, Jaclyn works closely with our Cosmetri Product Manager and cGMP software to help streamline R&D processes, update compliance, and support customers in improving their current working operations. ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

On this very special one year anniversary episode of the Perfume Making Podcast, Karen is joined by Micheal Edwards, author and founder of Fragrances of the World and author of "Fragrance Legends" and his latest book "American Legends" Micheal, who has worked in the fragrance industry for over 4 decades is the creator of one of the first classification systems for commercial fragrances, which is still widely used today. Having classified more than 55,000 fragrances he is a walking, talking encyclopaedia of all things perfume. In this fascinating interview with Karen, Michael shares his life story, his philosophy to his work and an incredibly insightful history on the evolution of scent.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Historically, perfume brands described their scents differently, without a common language. Noticing this, Micheal set about creating a system that all brands could use. He outlines this process.  Michael's classification system began as a labour of love. However, concerned that the amount of work he was doing was not creating an income, he approached department stores with a copy of his guide. He tells the story of how this was the beginning of his incredible journey.  Due to the birth of the artisan & niche perfume industry the amount of scents released each year has risen from 300 to over 25,000. Micheal talks about the challenges his team has faced in continuing to classify these scents as the numbers rise. Michael's in-depth knowledge of scent places him as an historian also. He gives an overview of scents from the 1800's and how consumer trends today are being influenced by early creations.  BEST MOMENTS  “The problem with perfume is that it was fascinating, but frustrating until we created a universal language.” “Women's fragrances are described as romantic, men's fragrances are described as macho. It's total nonsense, but that is the way the industry likes it.”  “The problem with old classifications was that they were linear, there was no link between different notes. That needed to change.” EPISODE LINKS https://www.fragrancesoftheworld.com/AmericanLegends Wikiparfum VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by Natalie Napoleon, a world renowned visual branding strategist and product photographer with over 25 years of experience. An expert at creating strong, unique visuals for brands, Natalie is always asked by indie brands “How can I compete with the big companies?” Luckily, that's where Natalie's passion lies. In this interview with Karen, Natalie is going to reveal her deepest secrets so that you, and your brand, can stand out and stand tall next to the giants of the industry.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Most small companies don't have the marketing budgets of the big hitters and this can create the perception that they can't create impactful marketing campaigns. However, Natalie explains that money is not the boundary that people think it is and shares some tips on how you can create impactful images on a budget. Why is visual branding so important? Natalie shares her 7 key points on why it is so, including the ability to create brand recognition and an emotional connection with your audience. Creating a strong brand is so much more than just taking professional images. Natalie breaks down the elements that she delivers in her training course, such as how to build a consistent style, create a visual story and a repeatable system. The number one mistake people make is getting the product right and then thinking about branding. Natalie and Karen discuss the importance of making sure your branding is in place from day one, how to evolve it and how to engage your customers in that journey.   BEST MOMENTS “Regardless of the size of your company or the strength of your product, it's your visual branding that sets you apart.” “75% of consumers make judgements on a company's credibility based on their visual assets.” “Images have what the written word doesn't - the ability to communicate complex ideas quickly and effectively.” The Shot Vault   Coupon Code: Enter PERFUME500 at checkout for $500 off Natalie's Instagram   VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide             Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE GUEST Natalie Napoleon is an in-demand marketing, advertising, and celebrity photographer who (over the span of her nearly 25 year career) has worked with people like Prince Albert of Monaco, Leslie Odom Jr., and Arnold Schwarzenegger and brands like Microsoft, Google, and OstomySecrets.     ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way. Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances.   With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing.   CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by Liz Moores, founder of Papillon Perfumery. When Liz started her brand she was taking a huge gamble. Self-taught, inexperienced and jumping into an already heavily populated marketplace, Liz's view was “I've got nothing to lose.” If her venture didn't work out, she was prepared to sell her initial batch of fragrances at a car boot sale to recoup her investment. However, after some early positive reviews, Liz found great success and her brand has grown from strength to strength. In this interview with Karen, Liz details her unique approach to business and perfume making, how to deal with rumours and gossip and inspires you to take a leap of faith.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Like most perfumers, Liz was drawn into setting up her own business through her love of fragrance. After some initial high-praising reviews from bloggers, she was approached by retailers who wanted her perfume. She talks about how this early success has influenced her overall approach to business. Setting up your own business can be daunting, but it can also give you incredible freedom. Liz talks about how she embraced that freedom with her marketing and creations and how ‘being naive' enough to do this has led to her success. In agreement with Karen, Liz believes that it is essential to have a strong story behind any scent you are creating. She details her process in creating stories and why, sometimes, it is essential to take a step back and not rush the process.  Karen and Liz discuss how the perfume industry has exploded over the last ten years as perfumery has turned from an artform to a consumer trend. How this has flooded the market with thousands of perfumes and how you can still stand out in the market if you have the right approach. BEST MOMENTS  “Create fragrances that you love yourself, everything after that is a bonus.” “If you don't have a strong story all you're doing is chucking materials together and there's no guarantee that the process will work.” “It is crucial, as an artisan perfumer, to forge strong relationships with your suppliers and customers. Your reputation is everything.”   EPISODE LINKS Papillon Perfumery Website Papillon Perfumery Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is giving a history lesson on the life and work of Jean Carles. Founder of the first ever perfumery school, today known as the Givaudan, and the father of the most influential method of perfume making, his influence is still felt far and wide in the perfume industry today. Jean Carles lived an incredible life, created some of the industries most iconic scents and influenced some of the great perfumes of all time. In this episode, Karen takes you through his life's work and gives you a valuable insight into the now legendary ‘Jean Carles Method.' KEY TAKEAWAYS Jean Carles had both a unique approach to creating perfumes and to teachings. He is the father of many iconic scents as well as the teacher of many prolific perfumeres. Karen details some of his greatest creations and influences.  Jean Carles developed a revolutionary method for perfume creation based on a systematic approach to understanding raw materials. Karen breaks down his method step by step. His method for creating accords was also considered to be groundbreaking. Whilst complex, it is an incredible tool for you to understand. Karen gives an overview of his method and principles. The final part of Jean Carles' method is that of constructing a fragrance, it is known as the pyramid method, which is creating a fragrance with base notes, heart notes and top notes. Karen gives examples of this method and how to implement it.   BEST MOMENTS  “The Jean Carles method of creating accords is a meticulous and structured approach that will provide a deep understanding of how different materials blend together.” “Jean Carles' systematic approach to perfumery and his innovative techniques remain influential in guiding both new and seasoned perfumers in their craft.” “It's recommended to learn the Jean Carles method but it is also essential for you to learn and adjust based on the materials that you are using and the type of fragrance you are creating.”   EPISODE LINKS Material Mastery  William Kaufman Book  The Jean Carles Method VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

Karen is in the process of writing a new book on the many challenges that await those who want to create perfumes or set up their own perfume business. Inspired by this, Karen has decided to go over eight of the most crucial points in this week's episode. Looking at some of the myths of the perfume industry, such as a need for a chemistry degree or the need for industry validation, as well as the huge amount of knowledge you must learn, time management and imposter syndrome, Karen separates fact from fiction and shares her invaluable tips on how to overcome the beginners challenges.  KEY TAKEAWAYS As with most careers, perfumers seek validation from the wider industry, especially when starting out in their careers, and this lack of validation can make you feel like an outsider, however, Karen explains that validation does not equate to success.  When you step into a large industry like the fragrance industry it is natural to start out feeling like you're not good enough. Karen talks about this and the bigger problem of imposter syndrome, and how you can overcome these feelings.  There are hundreds of materials that you can use to create your scents and the thought of learning and memorising them all can be a daunting one. However, Karen is here to reassure you that by working in artisan perfumery, you really don't need to memorise all that knowledge from day one.  Time management is a huge challenge when you dive into a new career. Karen breaks down her top tips for achieving effective time management.  BEST MOMENTS  “Focus on your craft and your unique journey. Remember, that many renowned perfumers have succeeded without the industry stamp of approval.” “Fragrance creation is deeply personal, it's like creating a piece of art. When someone criticises your work it can feel like a personal rejection.” “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”   EPISODE LINKE Materials Mastery Mindset Magic VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by one of her Artisan perfumery mastermind alumni, Earl Williams, founder of ESW Perfume Bar. Through Earl's unique business he creates bespoke scents for private clients as well as hosting pop up perfume bars at public and private events. But what really sets Earl apart is his determination and drive to keep moving forward no matter how many times the chips are stacked against him. In this interview with Karen, Earl shares his journey which will inspire you to keep moving forward and keep learning so that tomorrow, your dreams can come true. KEY TAKEAWAYS Earl details his journey in the fragrance industry and how his promising start was cut short by Covid but, instead of giving up, he decided to scale up. When Earl launched his business he was sure that he was offering the right products to the right people but, this confidence only came after a lot of preparation work, a process he outlines here.  A chance meeting at an event led Earl to open his business into a new area. He discusses the way he approached this opportunity and why you should be open to exploring new avenues.  Having a unique business model is one thing but having your own style is what sets you apart. Earl talks about the journey he embarked upon to find his own unique style.  BEST MOMENTS  “Before you put something out into the world, make sure you're ready. You'll achieve nothing if you rush the process.”  “Something that feels difficult today will feel easy tomorrow if you just keep learning and growing.” “If you don't take the opportunities when they are presented to you, you'll never move forward.”   EPISODE LINKS ESP PerfumeBar Website ESP PerfumeBar Instagram ESP PerfumeBar Tik Tok VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

As regular listeners will know, one of Karen's favorite materials is sandalwood, that's why she's genuinely excited to welcome Sophie and Vanessa from Quintis on the show this week.  Certain varieties of sandalwood become endangered over the years, so, 30 years ago, Quintis decided to create new plantations so that sandalwood could thrive.  In this interview with Karen, the ladies talk about all things sandalwood from the therapeutic benefits, the growing and harvesting procedures and why, with the right approach, sandalwood will never be endangered again.   KEY TAKEAWAYS As well as producing an incredible scent, sandalwood also has some amazing therapeutic benefits, such as anti-aging. Vanessa breaks down these benefits and the research behind them. Vanessa outlines the history of sandalwood, its importance as an export for Australia and why, 30 years ago, Quintis decided to create plantations which, today, total over 4 million trees. Sophie discusses the importance of having strong relationships with the team that grow and harvest the sandalwood and how this creates transparency and trust with their clients.  Sandalwood was once endangered and Quintis are determined to make sure that never happens again. Sophie discusses the company's approach to making sure that sandalwood will be sustainable for the future.  BEST MOMENTS  “Sandalwood has the same effect on the brain as meditation. It has the ability to calm you and reduce anxiety.” “You have to make sure you are honest with your clients so they can be honest with their customers.” “Sandalwood  has an incredible ability to adapt to the other ingredients it blends with to give a wide range of scents.”   EPISODE LINKS Quintis Website Quintis Instagram VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email

This week on the show Karen is joined by one of her Artisan Perfumery Mastermind Alumni, Nicole Brannan. Nicole has had a lifelong passion for fragrance and perfume which started when she was gifted a perfume making kit as a child. After a life of working in other creative areas, her passion for perfume never died but, it was during covid, when she found herself at a crossroads, that she decided to attend Karen's class, and her life changed forever. In this interview with Karen, Nicole gives a detailed account of her journey over the last 3 years and will inspire you to do what she did….follow your dream.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Nicole recounts her journey which started with her beloved childhood perfume making kit, and how, during covid, Karen's course reignited those memories which ultimately led her to launching her own perfume business.  Nicole explains the theory behind her workshops and how they are designed to encourage mindfulness and harmony in the participants, as well as bringing people closer to scent.  Nicole finally took the step to launch her own perfume business once covid hit and she found herself to be desperately unhappy. She details her process to Karen, the challenges she faced and how she ultimately overcame them. Karen and Nicole discuss the importance of obtaining objective feedback on your work, where to get it from and how, if done correctly, it can help you to grow.  BEST MOMENTS  “Being creative is not only fun, but it releases positive endorphins which helps to reduce stress and make you feel better.” “If you're thinking about doing something, just go for it. If you have time to put barriers up, you'll find a reason not to do it.” “Start small, test your market, test your audience. That's the best way to grow anything.”   VALUABLE RESOURCES Getting Started Guide Artisan Perfumery Mastermind   EPISODE LINKS: Elix Fragrance Website Elix Fragrance Instagram ABOUT THE HOST Fragrance expert, author, teacher and speaker; Karen Gilbert runs courses in the UK and online which demystify the secretive world of perfumery in a fun and interactive way.  Karen has inspired thousands of students to explore their olfactory sense and create their own personalised fragrances. With extensive product development experience in both the commercial perfumery and the organic skincare industry, Karen is able to offer a unique insight into creating natural and mixed media fragrances for fine fragrance, room scents and skincare/bodycare products using commercial perfumery techniques. Karen is also a certified meditation teacher and has a passion for helping people to create daily rituals that integrate scent with other modalities to shift state and increase your sense of wellbeing. CONTACT DETAILS Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Email