We were lucky to catch up with Nia McAdoo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nia, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

I always say that Note and Accord was born out of legacy, love, and timing. Fragrance has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. My father owned a fragrance company when I was young, and my Aunt Jackie was a perfumer in New York City. I grew up surrounded by bottles, blends, and the magic of scent, though at the time, I didn’t realize those seeds would one day turn into a business of my own.

The real spark came 3 years ago later. I had built and sold another company, and I was at a place in my life where I wanted to create something deeply personal, something that honored my family’s story but also invited other people into the process. I knew firsthand that fragrance can be transformative, it carries memory, identity, and emotion. But I also knew there wasn’t a space in Charlotte where you could sit down and craft a signature scent, guided by someone who understands not just the art of fragrance, but the intimacy of it.

The circumstances were both exhilarating and scary. Starting something new always is. I asked myself hard questions: Was there room for this in the market? Would people see the value in an elevated, custom fragrance experience when so many settle for off-the-shelf? My logic was simple but powerful, Charlotte is a city on the rise, filled with professionals and travelers who crave unique, luxury experiences. And I knew if I could pair that with authenticity, my story, my family’s legacy, and my own passion for teaching and connecting then it was a worthwhile endeavor.

From the moment our first clients sat down at the blending table, I could see it on their faces: the joy of creating something that was entirely theirs. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just about perfume. It was about creating space for memory-making, for self-expression, for legacy. That combination, heart and strategy, creativity and business sense is why I believed from the start that Note and Accord could succeed.

Nia, 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?

I’m Nia McAdoo, a second-generation perfumer and the founder of Note and Accord, Charlotte’s only dedicated fragrance studio. Fragrance has always been in my blood, my father owned a fragrance company, and my Aunt Jackie was a perfumer in New York City. Growing up, I didn’t realize how much those early experiences of watching oils being blended and bottles being filled would shape my future. But years later, when I was looking for a way to merge creativity with legacy, I came back to what always moved me most: scent.

At Note and Accord, we create immersive fragrance experiences. Guests can sit down at our blending tables for a Signature Scent Workshop or a 1:1 Bespoke Session where I craft a custom fragrance for them. Every scent created in our studio is saved in our system so that clients can always place reorders. We also host Body Oil Bar sessions, private parties, and corporate activations with our mobile Fragrance Blending Bar. Beyond the experiences, we offer a growing line of products including body oils, beard oils, and our in-house fragrance collection that all tie back to the same values: phthalate-free, vegan-friendly, and premium.

What sets us apart is that Note and Accord isn’t just about fragrance. We give people something they can’t get off a store shelf, the chance to design a scent that tells their story. Our clients often say the experience feels luxurious and deeply personal, whether they’re celebrating a milestone, planning a wedding, or just treating themselves. That combination of artistry, legacy, and hospitality is what makes us different.

I’m most proud of building something that not only honors my family’s history but also gives Charlotte a new kind of experience. We’ve welcomed everyone from locals to out-of-town brides who’ve flown in just to create their wedding-day scent. And every time someone leaves with a fragrance that feels like “them,” I know we’ve done more than sell a product.

For anyone discovering us for the first time, I want you to know this: Note and Accord is where signature scents start. It’s where legacy becomes luxury, and where creativity meets connection. Whether you’re blending a fragrance for yourself, a loved one, or an entire group, we make sure it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding Note and Accord was very intentional for me. Before opening the fragrance studio, I owned a commercial printing company for 12 years. Building and eventually selling that business gave me both the confidence and the capital to take the leap into my next chapter. When I sold the company three years ago, I knew I wanted to reinvest those resources into something that felt more personal and creative while also filling a gap in Charlotte’s market.

So rather than taking on outside investors or loans, I used the proceeds from that sale to build out Note and Accord. That meant purchasing the equipment, purchasing a commercial property in Uptown Charlotte, and designing an experience that feels elevated from the moment guests walk through the door. Having that foundation allowed me to start debt-free and with a clear vision, which gave me the freedom to focus on creating an unforgettable customer experience without the immediate pressure of repayment hanging over my head.

In many ways, it felt like closing one chapter of my entrepreneurial story and opening another. The skills I gained running my printing company, everything from operations to marketing to client service translated directly into launching the fragrance studio. The difference is that this time, I get to build around something deeply personal. Using the capital from one business to fund another wasn’t just practical, it was a way of honoring the years of hard work that led me here.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

When I think about resources that shaped me as an entrepreneur, my first thought isn’t a book or video it’s the network I built by tapping into the City of Charlotte’s economic development programs. Over the years, I’ve participated in their free trainings and mentorship opportunities, which gave me both practical knowledge and, just as importantly, a community of fellow business owners.

Entrepreneurship can feel incredibly lonely if you don’t have people who understand the journey. Those programs connected me with mentors, peers, and city leaders I could learn from, share challenges with, and celebrate wins alongside. That network has been invaluable, whether it’s someone pointing me toward a resource I didn’t know existed or simply reminding me that I’m not navigating entrepreneurship alone.

For me, the biggest takeaway has been that building a business isn’t just about what you know, it’s about who you surround yourself with. The city’s investment in entrepreneurs like me has had a lasting impact on my management style, reminding me to lead with collaboration and stay open to learning at every stage.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.NoteandAccord.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noteandaccordperfume
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nia-tillett-mcadoo-831891a9
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/note-and-accord-charlotte

Image Credits

Ariel Evon Photography
Jonathan Cooper