What inspired you to start Fragrance Planet, and how did you come up with the idea for the business? I have always been very passionate about fragrances. Each scent tells a story and has a memory attached. I wanted to create a space where others can experience the magic of scent in a personal way. With my little experience with perfumes and scents, I felt obligated to not only share my favorite scents but also create a unique experience for customers.

Can you tell us about your background and how it prepared you for entrepreneurship? My background in the fashion world has been really instrumental in preparing me for entrepreneurship. I started off as an intern in a fashion store where I learnt the ropes of running an online business because I was working closely with the CEO where I gained necessary experience that helped me in starting up my own business. I learnt customer relationships and good advertisement which has helped to improve my own business. Due to my love of smelling really good, I dived into the fragrance world and was able to implement most of the skills I learnt as an intern which has helped me get to where I am as a business owner today.

What sets Fragrance Planet apart from other fragrance and beauty retailers? Fragrance planet stands out in several ways. Firstly, our collection has a lot of exclusive and niche fragrance curated to cater diverse tastes. What truly sets us apart is outlet commitment to personalized service; our staff is trained to provide customized fragrance consultations ensuring the customer finds their perfect scent. The in-store experience is designed to be unique, creating a memorable environment.

How do you choose which products to carry in your store? At Fragrance planet, the product selection is a result of strategic and customer centric approach. We conduct extensive market strategy to conduct a market research to know the trendy fragrances and scent and closely analyze the customer’s preferences. We take time to understand each product and ensure that it meets the high standards for quality and uniqueness. This careful selection process ensures that every product reflects our commitment to provide our customers with the best in the fragrance and beauty industry.

What is your favorite fragrance, and why? My favorite fragrance is Aariz intense by Arabiyat Prestige. I love this particular fragrance because of its lingering scent and the fact that it gives off a confident vibe. Aariz is designed for people that love luxury and for that I love it.

Can you talk about any new products or lines that you are excited to feature in your store? I’m excited about this, we have a new collection in our store now, it’s a Lattafa collection. This collection is one which I love so much from the packaging to the scents to the bottles. It’s one of the best you can get from us right now.

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start their own business? My advice to someone looking to start their own business would be to first understand their passion and purpose, ensure that it is built around something they really care about. Thorough market research is essential. Creating a comprehensive business plan is like having a roadmap for the journey ahead. Embrace failures as opportunities to learn and grow. It’s a journey that requires continuous learning, resilience and genuine passion for what you do.

How have you adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic? During the pandemic, it was really difficult on the business because we could not deliver, customers could not come in to shop and buy. We were able to adapt to working remotely. Also, we tried our best to satisfy our customers even without physical contact which improved as an online store. We had to improve our online presence, although it was hard, my staff and I were able to work under pressure during the pandemic which helped us improve the brand. We also dive into online blogging where we were to teach and explain about perfumes which helped us pick fragrances of interest without having to walk into the store. Our website was also birthed during the pandemic to allow  seamless transactions between we and the customers.

What do you see as the future of fragrance and beauty retail? The future of fragrance and beauty retail is dynamic and exciting shaped by evolving customer preferences and industry trends. We see a significant digital transformation, with our store actively embracing e-commerce platforms and innovative digital solutions to enhance the customer shopping experience.

How do you stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the industry? As a fragrance store owner, staying up to date with the latest trends and developments in the industry is a priority for us. We actively engage with industry publications and journals, ensuring we’re well informed about new trends. Regular communication with various fragrance brands and suppliers keeps us informed about new product releases and upcoming collections.

What has been your biggest challenge as a CEO, and how did you overcome it? There are a lot of challenges that I face. We have now started shipping orders  out of the country and I must say it’s not been easy. But through it all I know for sure that it would get easier.

How do you balance your personal and professional life as a young entrepreneur? Balancing professional and personal as a young entrepreneur requires a whole lot. I prioritize tasks and set clear boundaries between work and personal life. I always need to work on my time management and also make use of tools to stay organized. Scheduling personal time is just as important as work commitments, ensuring that family, hobbies and self care receive dedicated attention. I try as much as possible to make my work flexible and also reflection on my work life balance allow for ongoing adjustments to meet the demands of entrepreneurship while maintaining personal wellbeing.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable experience you’ve had with a customer? There are lots of memorable experiences with customers. There was a customer that came into our store, he was so happy with our service because of how affordable the perfumes were and it was a blind buy, he rated us really well because we met his expectations. We got a referral to his colleagues, they all partronized us. That was a really memorable experience for me.

How important is customer service to the success of your business? Customer service is integral to the success of Fragrance planet. This forms the foundation of customer loyalty and also creates a positive shopping experience. By giving our customers exceptional service, it builds trust and credibility. In a competitive fragrance industry, our commitment to excellent customer service extends to our online platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Whatsapp, contributing to a positive online reputation and attracting customers.

What is your vision for Fragrance Planet in the next five years? The vision of Fragrance planet is to upgrade the brand and have more short lets around the globe.

How do you give back to your community or support local causes? At Fragrance planet, giving back to the community is a core part of our mission.  Charitable donations and contributions are important to your support for our local causes, with a percentage of our sales going to charities and fundraisers. We adhere to ethical practices contributing to the wellbeing of the community and the environment. Public awareness amplifies our commitment to social and environmental issues, reinforcing our dedication to make an impact in the community.

Can you share any upcoming events or collaborations that Fragrance Planet will be involved in? There’s none for now.

How do you ensure that your business is environmentally sustainable? At Fragrance planet, environmental sustainability is a central focus and we have implemented various initiatives to align with our commitment. Our dedication to eco friendly packaging choices, actively working to reduce packaging waste and explore innovative, sustainable solutions.

How do you manage and motivate your employees? As a director, directing, organizing our team is a top priority. Clear and transparent communication is fundamental, ensuring that goals and expectations are well understood. Regular feedback and performance reviews contribute continuous improvement and we prioritize flexibility and work-life balance to support the wellbeing of our employees.

What is something that most people don’t know about you or your business? Beneath all this seriousness, I am a dog lover.

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