We recently connected with Melissa Gibson and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Melissa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I’ve always had a passion for fragrances, body lotions, and other similar products. I worked for a major retailer of these products for about five years and became interested in how they were made, the ingredients that were used, and the reasons behind their use. As a hobby, I began creating my own lotions and potions.

A few years later, while working for another company, I decided to launch my fragrance line on Etsy on the side. I spent approximately a year researching and testing various blends, researching fragrance oil vendors, and finding the right bottle suppliers. Fortunately, I found an excellent graphic designer on Etsy who designed my logo and labels, and my boyfriend, who is a photographer, helped out with the photography part.

Once I had settled on ten blends that I loved, I had friends test them to see which ones they liked the most and selected the top seven to launch on Etsy. I officially launched my fragrance line on Labor Day weekend of 2011 and opened my own website in December of that year.

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 Melissa, and I am the founder of Callio Fragrance, a brand that offers a range of fragrances that are designed to bring joy and happiness to people’s lives. At our studio in New York City, I create each fragrance in small batches, paying close attention to every detail to ensure that our customers receive the finest quality products.

Fragrances have always been my passion, and it all started as a hobby. I was intrigued by the way a scent could evoke memories and transport us back to happy moments in time. I wanted to create fragrances that would do just that, so I spent time learning about the art of perfumery and experimenting with different scents and combinations.

After almost twenty years of working in the retail and corporate retail industry, I decided to pursue my dream of launching my own company. In the fall of 2011, I founded Callio Fragrance, and it has been a labor of love ever since. It’s been almost thirteen years, and I still can’t believe that people from all over the country are wearing something that I created.

At Callio Fragrance, our commitment to quality is unwavering. We use only the finest ingredients, and each fragrance is crafted with care and precision to ensure that it meets our high standards. Our goal is to make our customers feel special and unique by offering them scents that are not only beautiful but also evoke positive emotions and memories.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I send out weekly emails via our email service provider; some weeks feature a certain fragrance, or maybe a gift set if it is a gift-giving season. I will also send out plain text emails with how to care for their fragrances or tips to make their scents last longer, and once a year, I like to send out a survey to get their feedback on new fragrance ideas or products. I also like to send out emails a few times a year to thank them for supporting my small business and letting them know how much I appreciate them. I try not to sell to them in every email; it is a very hard balance to find!

I include handwritten thank you cards with each order; I always thank them for supporting us and if they are a repeat customer, I make sure to acknowledge that and make sure they know how much I appreciate it.

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

One of my all-time favorite podcasts is How I Built This with Guy Raz. I enjoy listening to the origin stories of some of the world’s biggest companies, learning about the struggles of their founders, and how they overcame their challenges. It inspires me to hear their stories and sometimes even gives me new ideas.

Another excellent source of inspiration for me is the book Burn: How Grit, Innovation, and a Dash of Luck Ignited a Multi-Million Dollar Success Story by Mei Xu, the founder of Chesapeake Candles. I first heard her story on the How I Built This podcast and was so captivated that I immediately read her book. It’s an incredibly inspiring story!

I also strongly believe in the importance of connecting with other small business owners who can relate to the unique challenges of running an online business. I am so lucky enough to have a supportive group of friends who I meet with on Zoom every week. We discuss everything related to our businesses and provide each other with the necessary support and encouragement. This has been incredibly helpful for me as owning an online business can often feel lonely.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://calliofragrance.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/CallioFragrance
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/CallioFragrance

Image Credits
Hoon Sohn