Legacy Builders: 5 Questions with Rachel Greiman
This interview is part of the Legacy Builders series, featuring the stories and ventures of friends and friends of the business who are doing meaningful work in their home, neighborhood, and the world.
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Rachel Greiman
Ode to Perfume
#1
What is your new venture?
Ode To Perfume is a niche + indie fragrance boutique in Denver, CO in the Cherry Creek North neighborhood!
Fragrance is one of the fastest-growing beauty industries in the world, and has had a huge resurgence in the past 5 years. There is a massive, dedicated community on social media.
Thousands of people post about fragrance every day and for most of them, the more niche and hard-to-find, the better.
Ode is for fragrance fanatics and for people who just want a personalized experience to find their signature scent. We are open by appointment only, so people can meet 1 on 1 with a fragrance consultant to find a scent that fits their personality
I'm hoping our audience varies from fragrance fanatic to fragrance curious. I wanted 1o provide a service alongside the product.
#2
Why does the world need what you're offering?
Maybe another way of asking this question is, "When you think about your own life and legacy, how does this new venture align with your values and sense of calling?"
Almost every brand is the store fits one of the following categories:
- Women-owned
- POC-owned
- LGBTQIA+-owned
In today's world, joy matters. Perfume, to me, is a spritz of joy every day. It's part of a grounding ritual to remind you that you are here and you are YOU every single day.
Beyond that, as a business owner, I want to constantly support and uplift minority business owners. That matters now more than ever.
#3
What was the moment(s) that prompted you to start it?
When my son was in the hospital being treated for leukemia, he lost the ability to walk and talk at one point for about 8 weeks. It was terrifying and it was dark. I would disassociate on my phone for hours, mindlessly scrolling social media. I got sucked in to fragrance TikTok, this weird and wonderful community of people so passionate about scent. The way they would describe these perfumes made it feel important. I started ordering samples and spending way too much money just to try perfume. I thought to myself, "Someone should really do this in Denver." Then my son was further into treatment and life didn't feel so much like survival and I thought, "Should I be the one to do this?!" And then after I sold my last business and my son ended treatment, I was still obsessed with fragrance and thought, "Oh my gosh I think I'm supposed to do this." And that was 6 months ago.
#4
Who are some people in your life that have been influential in getting you to where you are today?
My husband. He understands my entrepreneurial side zero percent and is easily my biggest supporter. He doesn't question me or the work it takes or the money I risk. He says
"Whatever you want girl" and then helps me make it happen. He is the best person I know.
My dad is an incredible business person. Watching him constantly take risk and be willing to work SO hard growing up is exactly why I am the way that I am. He was an amazing example of creating the life you want and believing in yourself to make it happen.
#5
What question did I NOT ask that I should have asked, if I want to learn some interesting info from you? :)
Nothing. These were all amazing questions.
Follow: @odetheshop
This post is part of the Legacy Builders series, featuring the stories and ventures of friends and friends of the business who are doing meaningful work in their home, neighborhood, and the world.
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