We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn Pettieway a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shawn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
The story of ONE Fragrance House came from a mix of curiosity, ambition, and a desire for freedom and purpose. After graduating college with a degree in chemical engineering, I started working in corporate America as a process engineer. While I was grateful for the opportunity, I quickly realized that sitting at a desk all day wasn’t the life I wanted to live forever. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating something meaningful—something that would allow me to connect with people, travel, and have a larger impact on the world.
It all began to click after I was introduced to a master perfumer from Pakistan through a close friend. This was after I had already been experimenting on my own with fragrance-making, but the connection took things to another level. I started learning the art of perfumery from him—sampling various ingredients, understanding formulations, and refining my own scent concepts. It was eye-opening. I realized how much thought, skill, and storytelling went into creating a truly great fragrance, and it inspired me to dream bigger. I wasn’t necessarily trying to solve a specific problem when I came up with the idea for ONE; I just wanted to create a product that could empower people around me to live intentionally and boldly. But as I started doing deeper research into the fragrance industry, I was shocked by what I found.
I realized there was a lack of representation in the fragrance world by black perfumers and brands. It struck me as odd, especially for an industry that’s been around for centuries and is built on storytelling, culture, and emotion. This realization inspired me even more to step into this space, knowing I had the opportunity to not only build a brand but to help shift an industry that has traditionally been inaccessible to people like me.
One night, I was sitting by my apartment pool, jotting down ideas and exploring visuals through AI tools, and the word ONE came up in one of the designs. It just resonated with me. It was simple yet powerful—ONE felt like it represented individuality, excellence, and living with purpose. It was the perfect name for what I wanted to create.
From there, I went all in. I filed for the trademark and started developing my first collection. I wanted each scent to reflect intentionality—life moments that truly matter. Whether it’s the confidence of stepping into a room, the intimacy of a romantic evening, or the comfort of an everyday scent, I wanted these fragrances to tell a story. Every formulation has been a labor of love—lots of trial and error, long nights perfecting the balance of notes, and learning what makes a fragrance unforgettable.
What drives me with ONE Fragrance House is the belief that scent is more than just a product; it’s a gateway to self-expression and connection. Fragrance has the power to evoke emotions, tell stories, and help people feel more aligned with who they are. I wanted to create a brand that celebrates individuality while empowering people to live boldly and intentionally as their one-of-one selves. This is why ONE exists—not just as a fragrance brand, but as a movement to inspire people to embrace the unique legacy they’re meant to create.
Shawn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
If I had to describe myself, I’d say I’ve always been a curious person—someone who constantly seeks to learn and grow. I come from humble beginnings in Lake Charles, Louisiana, raised by two loving parents in a close-knit Christian household alongside my older brother. My father, who passed away in 2019, played a significant role in shaping who I am today. It’s because of him that I pursued the field of chemical engineering. He worked as an operator and encouraged me to consider chemical engineering, explaining that it would open doors to leadership, innovation, and opportunities to work on meaningful projects. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the path I was stepping into, but I trusted his guidance and took the leap.
Since then, my journey has taken me through an array of industries and challenges—everything from process engineering and chemical manufacturing to advanced semiconductor technology, cybersecurity, and full-stack software development. Each experience has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. I’ve faced long nights, countless setbacks, and moments of self-doubt, but I’ve also seen the fruit of those efforts materialize in ways I could’ve only dreamed of. What I’m most proud of is not just the milestones but the perseverance it took to reach them. Staying the course, even when it felt impossible, has been my greatest achievement.
What I want people to know about me is that anything is possible when you set your mind to it and trust in God’s plan. He has a way of showing us the steps to take, even when we can’t see the full picture. That’s the mindset I’ve carried into creating ONE Fragrance House—a brand built on intentionality and purpose.
The vision behind ONE Fragrance House is simple but profound: we all have one life to live, and we should live it intentionally. You are a one-of-one individual, and your uniqueness deserves to be celebrated. ONE is more than just a fragrance brand; it’s a reminder to embrace your identity, chase your dreams, and leave a meaningful legacy. Each scent we create tells a story, designed to capture life’s most defining moments—whether it’s stepping into a room with confidence, celebrating success, or creating an atmosphere of romance and intimacy.
How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.
We currently sell on our Shopify-based website, which serves as the primary hub for our brand, as well as through Instagram Shop, where we connect directly with our audience. In the near future, we plan to expand onto Amazon to increase accessibility and visibility. We’re also actively working to establish partnerships with storefronts in cities like Houston, Dallas, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which will allow us to bring our fragrances into the hands of even more customers. Expanding our reach into local stores is a major goal, as we aim to connect with our customers in a more tangible way. Additionally, we are excited to explore the international market later this year.
One of the challenges of e-commerce is that I’m a very hands-on person. I truly love interacting with our customers in person, hearing their feedback, and watching their reactions to our products. Translating that personal connection to an online platform has been a challenge, but it’s also been an exciting opportunity to grow. On the positive side, having an online platform allows us to document and articulate the specifics of our brand, ensuring our message is consistent and accessible. It also opens the door to connecting with customers in places we haven’t yet reached, both nationally and internationally. As we continue to expand, our online presence will remain a crucial part of our ability to share the ONE story with the world.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One of the most pivotal and memorable moments for ONE Fragrance House was participating in the 2024 Invest Fest conference. This was a major milestone for the brand, and looking back, it was a risk worth taking. I knew this would be a unique opportunity to not only showcase our products but to connect with an intentional audience who value excellence and entrepreneurship.
The preparation leading up to the event was intense. We designed a visually stunning booth that embodied the elegance and intentionality of the ONE brand. From our aesthetic displays to a spin-the-wheel giveaway that encouraged attendee engagement, we poured our heart into ensuring the booth was more than a selling point—it was an experience. Our goal was to create something that not only stood out visually but also resonated emotionally with the attendees.
The highlight of the event wasn’t just the sales (although those were incredible); it was the connections we built. Seeing people interact with the fragrances, sharing their personal stories, and expressing how our brand aligned with their values made all the hard work worth it. One particular moment that stood out at Invest Fest was getting the opportunity to pitch ONE Fragrance House during the Nipsey Hussle Pitch Competition. It was a surreal experience being able to present the brand’s vision, mission, and products to a panel of esteemed judges who truly understood the importance of legacy, intentionality, and excellence.
What made the moment even more impactful was seeing how much the judges loved our fragrances. They were so impressed by the quality and story behind each scent that they didn’t want to give the samples back! In fact, we ended up gifting the products to them as a token of gratitude for their time and recognition. That moment solidified for me that ONE Fragrance House was more than just a brand—it was a movement that resonated with people on a deep level.
Invest Fest 2024 gave us momentum like never before. It wasn’t just about selling fragrances—it was about building brand awareness, sharing our mission, and showing the world what ONE stands for. The risk of stepping into such a major arena as a growing brand paid off in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and it solidified my belief in the importance of taking big leaps when you know your brand has something meaningful to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://OneFragranceHouse.co
- Instagram: OneFragranceHouse
Image Credits
Studio Jae Joseph
VersatileImagePro