Meet Aiesha McKenzie | Fragrance Designer & Perfume Studio Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Aiesha McKenzie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aiesha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a teenager. I love the idea of dreaming up something, and then making it a reality. I quit my job in 2007 to move to Los Angeles and attend fashion school. I thought I’d be working in the fashion industry, but the recession of 2008 had other plans. The only thing I loved as much as fashion was fragrance. I never thought I could make perfume because you had to be handpicked and go to Paris to learn how to do it. However, in 2012, I went to a studio and created my own perfume. I knew I could do it, and I just had to figure out how. It took some work, but I figured out how I could blend perfume without having to go to school for it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The business started with me creating unique perfumes for sale, and expanded to creating a perfume bar, and opening a perfume studio where others could create their own perfume. The aspect of creating the perfume when you have your own brand is fun; the retail/distribution aspect, not so much. The evolution of the business was slightly circuitous, but I believe that I’ve arrived at my sweet spot, now.

With the custom perfume studio, I wanted to create an unparalleled experience. Therefore, instead of just doing workshops that people purchase a seat to attend, I focused on offering my clients private sessions and parties with their friends. Being a creative person, I designed several distinctive experiences centered around making perfume, including a bachelorette party, a birthday party for teenagers, and a team-building event.

I have had several clients who were visiting Atlanta and wanted to have something fun and unique to do. I am proud that my experience can be part of Atlanta’s exciting entertainment landscape.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, I wouldn’t know where to start since there are so many fun things to do in Atlanta! However, we’d probably get massages and wine at Chateau Elan. There are tons of interactive experiences here, so we’d probably do something like create custom-designed sneakers, or take a roller skating fitness class.

The restaurant scene in Atlanta is amazing, so we’d probably go to get Indian food in North Decatur, or soul food at an Atlanta landmark like Busy Bee.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shoutout all the business owners who are grinding and living out their dreams! People often see others’ success and think that it was an easy road to get there, or that person was lucky when, in actuality, it took work. I think about interactions I had with people while they were on their journeys.

I recently read an article in Black Enterprise about Black-owned perfume brands (I’m not in it, yet…). There were two brands that I had encounters with long ago, and that made me smile when I saw them featured. One was Savoir Faire. I remember a friend inviting me to a Village Market event because she followed the founder and he was exhibiting there. He had a table vending his perfumes, as I often do now. And I thought about how the Village Market has gone from hosting pop-up events to opening a storefront in Ponce City Market. The other brand was B Fragranced. I was at the World Natural Hair Show and I was, naturally, drawn to the booth. Both my friend and I purchased perfumes from this brand. I think about how I was part of Koereyelle’s Single Wives Club back in the day. Her goal was to be in Essence magazine. Sure enough, she made it.

None of these people know me, or would remember our interactions. However, seeing people succeed and knowing that they have a story, just like I do, gives me encouragement. Therefore, I want to shout out those people who have worked very hard to get where they are.

Website: www.mysignaturescent.net

Instagram: @customperfume_atl, @mysigscent

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