Bespoke perfume service

wannabeslim

I am thinking about setting up a bespoke perfume oil service, not like the dupes you can buy online of designer scents but after a consolation I would blend you your own unique scent, this could also be used in creams, candles etc.


Its just an idea at the moment and I would really appreciate peoples opinions, would you use this service?, prices would start at around £35, do you have any comments or suggestions?


I'm happy to answer any questions, any constructive help would be much appreciated

InsideInsurance

There are plenty of those that already offer bespoke perfume services ranging from fairly cheap to several thousand for the service. I saw Selfridges was doing an "experience" recently to create your personalised fragrance (http://style.selfridges.com/whats-on/discover-fragrance-lab-selfridges-london )

Ignoring the generating the leads element for now, how do you actually get your customers to specify their needs/ wants? How do you stop it being them just asking for you to create a knock off of Creed's White Flowers?

wannabeslim

Yes Liberty's did a similar event a while ago, I would ask the customers, by form, what smells they like, what perfumes they like from mainstream products, to get an idea of likes and dislikes, not to copy, what fashions they like, activities they do to get a picture of them as an individual and build up a profile. I would refuse to do a straight copy if I was asked, I already blend my own oils for myself as I couldn't find what I was looking for, I get a lot of compliments and comments asking me to make some for them, which I haven't yet as its just an idea

InsideInsurance

Do most people actually know what they like well enough?

I dont have a great sense of smell, so maybe I am the wrong one to be answering this but I did a test on the Mrs not that long ago looking at the notes on the BaseNotes website and then taking her along to a decent shop with perfumes.

Now there were some basics she knew, she likes floral perfumes and not "fruity" ones. But one of the ones she liked in person was http://www.basenotes.net/ID26134406.html which she wasnt keen on when reading the notes on it.

If you are actually that good at doing it then I wonder if you wouldnt be better off charging a higher price to factor in a fair amount of samples being made and sent to actually find what someone really likes -v- what they think they like.

May also be worth looking into how the mid ranged bespoke people do the intelligence gathering for their offerings and see how you could adapt this to a lower budget proposition

wannabeslim

Thanks InsideInsurance, good input

wannabeslim

Thanks for the replies, I did some research today and after taking everything into consideration I don't think this is a venture I will be pursuing, I can do it for friends if they would like me too but not as a business, thanks again for the replies