We were lucky to catch up with Madonna Cicconi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Madonna, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the significant risks I took on my entrepreneurial journey with Cicco Aroma was deciding to open The Wellness Studio much earlier than originally planned. Our initial vision was to open the studio in our 5th year of business. However, the opportunity presented itself when we received the Vaughan Main Street Grant award of $10,000. It was a turning point for Cicco Aroma as it meant the potential to accelerate our growth and expand our impact on the community. However, I was initially hesitant about deviating from our carefully laid out business plan and timeline. I had concerns about the readiness of the business to open a physical location and whether it would negatively impact our long-term goals.

After much contemplation, I realized that the grant offered us a unique opportunity to reach our vision sooner and build stronger connections with our community. It was a risk worth taking, as it aligned perfectly with our mission of making self-care and wellness accessible to more people. The grant not only provided financial support but also recognized and validated our brand’s potential, encouraging us to step outside our comfort zone and embrace the opportunity.

With determination and support from our family and community, we decided to proceed and open The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma in Vaughan. It was a leap of faith, as we needed to adapt our business plan, allocate resources, and make crucial decisions on equipment, marketing, and staff.

Fortunately, the risk turned out to be worth it. We like to think The Wellness Studio is a beloved space for our community, and that the physical presence allowed us to interact with our customers on a deeper level. The grant facilitated our expansion, enabling us to invest in equipment for larger-scale production and improve our administrative systems to accommodate growth.

The most humbling success is that the studio also became a hub for workshops, self-awareness, and community building. It allowed us to extend our services beyond the e-commerce platform and forge strong connections with our customers. The support we received from the community played a vital role in establishing The Wellness Studio as a go-to destination for self-care and wellness solutions.

Taking this risk taught me the value of flexibility and the importance of seizing opportunities when they align with our mission and values. It reinforced the notion that calculated risks can lead to substantial rewards and propel the business to new heights. Ultimately, opening The Wellness Studio earlier than planned was a transformative experience, showing me the power of resilience and adaptability in navigating the entrepreneurial landscape.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Madonna B Cicconi, and I am the founder of Cicco Aroma. My journey began in Uganda, where I was born into a loving and supportive community. However, at the age of 15, I migrated to Canada with my mother and sisters, and this significant life change brought feelings of being lost and isolated in a new environment. As a young black female aspiring to make an impact in a community that barely knew me, I embarked on a journey of rediscovery to find my place and purpose.

During my university years, I faced health challenges, including enlarged fibroids and severe anemia. Not mentally prepared for surgery, I decided to explore alternative remedies to manage the pain and discomfort. This exploration led me to become more intentional in my consumption and create self-care solutions for my wellness. I delved into aromatherapy benefits, plant-based skincare, and body physiology, which inspired me to craft body butters, bath bombs, and aroma rollers designed to nourish my body and calm my mind. This process of self-discovery and healing sparked the idea for Cicco Aroma.

Cicco Aroma is a plant-based and eco-friendly wellness brand that offers self-care solutions for individuals seeking holistic well-being. Our products, including body butters, bath bombs, aroma rollers, and more, are crafted with simple ingredients, catering to different states of wellness. We believe that self-care goes beyond nourishing the skin; it also encompasses calming the mind and being kind to the environment. Our mission is to inspire others to be more intentional with their self-care and embrace sustainable practices for their well-being.

What sets Cicco Aroma apart from others is our commitment to authenticity and community building. Our brand’s foundation lies in my personal journey of rediscovery and healing, which we share openly to connect with our audience on a deeper level. We are not just about selling products; we strive to build a community for wellness where individuals can find inspiration, self-awareness, and curated care.

We take pride in providing products that are plant-based and eco-friendly, promoting a mindful lifestyle that benefits both individuals and the environment. Our workshops at The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma empower participants to curate their own care and explore their unique wellness needs. We aim to make self-care accessible to all and have plans to extend our services to remote communities through a mobile studio.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, we want you to know that Cicco Aroma is more than just a brand; it’s a story of resilience, growth, and empowerment. We are passionate about helping you prioritize your well-being, and our products and workshops are designed with care and intention to cater to your unique needs. Join us in this journey of intentional self-care and become part of our supportive community as we continue to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of the most effective strategies for growing our clientele at Cicco Aroma has been building a strong sense of community and fostering meaningful connections with our customers. We believe in the power of storytelling and authenticity, and we have shared the personal journey behind the creation of our brand. This has resonated with our audience, as they can relate to our mission and connect with the founder’s experiences.

Through social media, blogging, and participating in local events, we have been able to engage with our target audience and showcase the value of our plant-based and eco-friendly self-care solutions. By sharing educational content, wellness tips, and highlighting the benefits of our products, we have established ourselves as a trusted resource in the wellness community.

In addition to online presence, our brick and mortar location, The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma, has played a significant role in growing our clientele. The physical space provides a welcoming environment for our customers to experience our products firsthand, attend workshops, and engage in personal interactions with our team. This in-person connection has strengthened customer loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals.

Furthermore, participating in the My Main Street program and receiving the Vaughan Main Street Grant has also contributed to our growth. The support and recognition from the community through this program have increased our visibility, allowing us to reach a broader audience and attract new customers who resonate with our brand’s values.

Overall, the combination of authentic storytelling, engaging content, a physical retail space, and community involvement has been the most effective strategy for growing our clientele and building a loyal customer base for Cicco Aroma.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the moments that truly illustrates my resilience on this journey with Cicco Aroma is the period when I was facing health challenges due to enlarged fibroids and severe anemia while pursuing my undergraduate in Integrative Biology and Psychology at the University of Toronto. I was not familiar with the condition and had limited resources to explore my options. Sadly, at the time, I chose to do nothing. Ever so often my condition would worsen forcing me to miss studies and decline social invitations as I aimed to enhance my professional portfolio with training in Recreation Therapy at Seneca College. In my final year, I was informed that surgery was necessary, but I wasn’t mentally prepared to consider it. Instead, I chose to explore alternative remedies and take control of my wellness.

This was a challenging time both physically and emotionally, as I was trying to find my place, discover my purpose, and also deal with health issues. Despite the difficulties, I refused to let these challenges define me. Instead, I became determined to find holistic solutions for my well-being. This meant utilizing all the tools and resources available to me – I wanted to be an expert in knowing my own body.

Through extensive research and self-discovery, I delved into the world of aromatherapy, plant-based skincare, and body physiology. I began creating self-care solutions that were kinder to my healing body and mind, using simple ingredients that nourished and supported me. This was the spark that led to the birth of Cicco Aroma.

The resilience came from not giving in to the initial difficulties, but rather choosing to take control and find an alternative path to healing. It required persistence, patience, and an unwavering belief in the importance of self-care and wellness. This period of personal transformation and resilience laid the foundation for Cicco Aroma as a brand that promotes intentional self-care and eco-friendly practices.

Through this experience, I learned the power of resilience and how challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and positive change. It taught me that sometimes the most difficult moments in life can lead to the most significant transformations, both personally and in business. This resilience continues to be a driving force behind the work we do at Cicco Aroma and The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma, empowering others to take charge of their well-being and find strength in the face of adversity.        

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ciccoaroma.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciccoaroma/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciccoaromaevents/
• Linkedin: working progress
• Twitter: working progress
• Youtube: working progress
• Yelp: working progress
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/ciccoaroma/

Image Credits
Dylan B Harrison of Dylan B Harrison Photography