We recently connected with Myasia Monique Cody and have shared our conversation below.
Myasia Monique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Our products are meticulously crafted to honor the rich heritage of Africa and African American history. By sourcing key ingredients from Africa and highlighting African American history, we create scents and cosmetics that transcend cultural boundaries. Utilizing natural remedies such as African herbs and essential oils known for their healing properties. Our purpose is to empower and heal individuals while fostering pride, awareness, and a deeper understanding of the African/African American diaspora. Our perfumes offer a unique blend of African American history and African ingredients, reshaping the perception of fragrance as more than just a scent, but as a pathway to natural healing.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
As an artist who attended the Fashion Institute of Technology and studied fashion design, I have always been driven by fashion. However, in 2018, I found a soft spot for scents and began studying and taking courses in my own time to learn how to create different types of scents. In that journey, I realized that scents can tell stories just like fashion, but in a much more intimate and personal way. Scents can be just as creative as making garments. This journey of discovering scents is what led to the creation of “Candiors Cosmetics,” which is inspired by the idea of candor and honesty both as a brand and in our products. The brand was officially founded in November of 2022 and launched on February 2, 2024. We plan to launch our first perfume line on June 19th, 2024, in honor of Juneteenth.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One lesson I had to unlearn was the belief that “more complexity equals better fragrance.” When I started crafting my perfumes, my initial formulas were overly complex, and my peers’ feedback was underwhelming. Eventually, my mentors suggested focusing on simplicity, high quality, and well-blended notes. By revisiting and simplifying the perfumes to just three core elements, I created a scent that resonated deeply with the story and message I wanted to convey. This taught me that in perfumery, simplicity can be more impactful than complexity, reshaping my approach and helping my startup.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
A pivotal moment for our perfume startup was securing our first major order. Initially struggling to gain trust from our customers, we decided to showcase our products through local communities, UGC creators, and social media raffles focused on niche beauty and cosmetics. There, we shared our story, emphasized our craftsmanship, and offered samples. This approach paid off as we began to see increased engagement from potential customers, eventually converting them into loyal customers. This breakthrough not only validated our product but also opened new distribution channels and solidified our brand’s reputation in the industry. It taught us the power of persistence and seizing opportunities in the competitive perfume market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.candiorscosmetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candiorscosmetics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/candiors-cosmetics/
Image Credits
Myasia Monique Cody (Photo Credit)