We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Olivia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first sale was at a Valentine’s Day market for small businesses, and I remember feeling both excited and nervous on the way there. My husband and I kept asking ourselves all the usual questions “will people actually buy? Will they love the fragrances as much as we do? Did we prepare everything properly?” It was one of those moments where your mind is racing because you’re putting something you’ve worked so hard on out into the world.
I had put so much time and care into creating the fragrances and designing the packaging, so I really wanted people to connect with it. When we got there, we focused on setting up the booth in a way that felt intentional and reflective of the brand.
Once the event started, everything shifted. People were genuinely interested, and we ended up selling about 17 perfumes. I was honestly a little speechless. It felt really special to see something I created resonate with others like that.
When we got home, I just felt incredibly grateful. It was a moment that confirmed I was on the right path and gave me a lot of motivation to keep building and growing the brand.

Olivia, 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?

SAYURI Perfumes, is a handcrafted solid fragrance brand inspired by Japan, travel, and the idea that scent can capture a feeling or a memory. I started this business while living in India with my husband and family appreciating pure oils people use instead of perfume. after realising how powerful fragrance can be in connecting us to places and moments. And after spending time abroad and experiencing different cultures, especially in India, UAE, and Japan, I became drawn to how scent is used in a more intentional, almost ritualistic way. That inspiration pushed me to start creating my own blends, which eventually grew into SAYURI.

I create solid perfumes, candles, and fragrance products that are designed to be both beautiful and functional. Everything is handcrafted in small batches using organic fragrance oils sourced from traditional perfume regions like India, Japan, and Dubai. The packaging is just as important to me as the scent itself, whether it’s our heart-shaped compacts, bamboo-lidded glass jars, or ceramic vessels inspired by traditional tea containers. I really focus on creating something that feels like a full experience, not just a product.

What sets SAYURI apart is the storytelling behind each fragrance. Every scent is inspired by a specific place, mood, or cultural element, so it feels personal and intentional. I’m not just creating perfumes that smell good, I’m creating something people can connect to emotionally. A lot of my customers tell me the scents remind them of a memory, a trip, or even just a feeling of calm, and that’s exactly what I want. I also think there’s something special about everything being made by hand. It allows me to stay very involved in the process and keep the quality consistent.

One of the biggest problems I solve for my customers is giving them a natural fragrance that is portable, long-lasting, and easy to use throughout the day. Solid perfumes are something people can carry with them anywhere, reapply easily, and feel confident wearing without it being overpowering. It also offers a more natural and skin-friendly alternative to traditional spray perfumes.

What I’m most proud of is building a brand that expresses appreciation for different cities around the world using oils steeped in tradition. From developing the fragrances to designing the packaging to showing up at markets and connecting with customers face-to-face, it’s all been a hands-on journey. Seeing people genuinely fall in love with something I created has been the most rewarding part.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that SAYURI is rooted in authenticity, creativity, and intention. I travel to each prefecture and do a lot of research before and in person before formulating each fragrance. It’s a brand built on passion and cultural appreciation, with the goal of creating something meaningful. I want every person who experiences SAYURI to feel like they’re carrying a small piece of a place, a memory, or a story with them.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I stay connected with my clients by being approachable, responsive, and genuinely present. I always make it a priority to respond to emails and DMs quickly and make customers feel comfortable reaching out with any questions or concerns. I want people to feel like they can come to me directly, not just as a brand, but as a person behind it.
I also try to create more personal experiences whenever I can. For example, I once met a returning customer who was visiting from out of town at a café so she could sample new fragrances before purchasing. Moments like that really matter to me because they go beyond a typical transaction and build real connection.
At the end of the day, I truly love what I do and care about my customers. Seeing them enjoy the fragrances brings me so much joy, and I want to make sure their experience is positive from start to finish. For me, it’s not just about selling perfumes, it’s about building trust, maintaining open communication, and continuously improving based on their feedback.

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

I really look up to my father-in-law, who built two schools from the ground up, and to other women-owned businesses like my sister, who built her own mechanical engineering contracting company. Seeing the level of discipline, risk, and commitment it takes to build something from nothing has had a huge impact on me. They’ve both shown me what it means to stay consistent, believe in your vision, and follow through no matter what.
They’ve become blueprints in my life and have truly inspired me to build SAYURI with that same level of intention and give it my full 100% every step of the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sayuriperfume.com
• Instagram: Sayuriperfume
• Linkedin: SAYURI Perfume