By Yemisi Suleiman
In a Industry dominated by international brands, Catherine Omai dared to defy convention and forged her own path. As Nigeria’s first female perfume maker, she has built a reputation for crafting exquisite, bespoke fragrances that evoke emotions and tell stories.
With a passion for perfumery ignited by her love of scent as a child, Catherine pursued her dreams despite adversity. She overcame challenges and skepticism to establish Mystique Bespoke Perfumery, offering personalized perfume-making experiences that have captivated customers worldwide. Her 3 variants of perfume: Contagious Gold, Contagious Rose and Contagious Green are all extraordinary labours of love, stocked in some of the world’s most iconic shopping malls, like Saks Fifth Avenue, USA, Royal Oud Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sayhar Perfumes Paris, France, and stocked exclusively at Seinde Signature Salon de Parfum stores in Nigeria. Omai also recently launched her diffusers and candles range for deserning clients, to very rave reviews.
In this exclusive interview, Catherine shares her inspiring journey, from experimenting with perfumes as a student in the UK to exhibiting at Pitti Fragranze in Italy. She reveals the secrets behind her unique fragrances, her approach to sourcing quality raw materials, and her vision for taking her brand global.
What initially sparked your interest in perfume?
I have always been passionate about smelling good, even from my primary and secondary school days. I didn’t want to conform to the stereotype of big people smelling a certain way, so I would use my father’s and mother’s perfumes discreetly. However, I got into trouble in school for using perfume, which led to me being forbidden to wear it at home. When I moved to the UK for my studies, I continued to prioritize smelling good, but as a student, I had limited resources. I started experimenting with different perfumes and layering them, which eventually led me to create my own unique fragrances.
What inspired you to start your own perfume business?
My curiosity and passion for unique fragrances grew as I moved to the UK for my studies and I started layering different perfumes. After realizing that buying multiple perfumes was no longer affordable, I decided to create my own unique fragrance. When I couldn’t find an affordable studio to do so in the UK, I went to Paris and fell in love with the world of perfumery. I wanted to share this experience with others and help them create their own unique scents, which led to the birth of Mystique Bespoke Perfumery.
I started by offering personalized perfume-making experiences for customers, which helped build my brand’s reputation.
My curiosity and love for fragrances grew as I continued to create my own unique scents. I decided to take a perfumery course in Paris, which solidified my passion for the art. When I returned to Nigeria, I struggled to find a job in the oil and gas sector, which was my original plan, but it was not forthcoming. I then decided to pursue my passion for perfume-making and started my own business.
What were some of the challenges you faced when you started your business?
One of the challenges I faced was people questioning why they should buy my perfumes, a Nigerian, when there were already established brands. I wasn’t a celebrity or social media influencer, so I had to work extra hard to gain people’s trust.
To overcome this, I focused on giving people the experience of creating their own fragrances instead of trying to sell them mine. This strategy helped my business grow, and I eventually found a store location after four years of door-to-door sales.
How did you fund your business in the beginning?
At first, I funded my business through savings and by selling my products door-to-door. However, I eventually secured a loan from a bank to help expand my business. I also received support from family and friends, which helped me get through the tough times.
Can you tell us more about how your personal experiences and memories which influence your perfume creations?
Absolutely. When I create a perfume, I draw on my past experiences and memories. Each fragrance is like a part of myself that I’m putting out into the world. For example, fragrance has always been a confidence booster for me. When I wear a perfume that I love, I feel more confident and outgoing. I want my perfumes to evoke similar emotions in others.
In terms of raw materials how do you source for quality?
Some of the challenges I faced include bringing raw materials into Nigeria, dealing with NAFDAC, customs, and the lack of quality raw materials available in the local market. However, these challenges pushed me to restructure my knowledge about perfume creation and create something unique that could stand out in the international market.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be passionate about what you do and never give up. There will be challenges along the way, but if you believe in yourself and your product, you can overcome anything. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek advice from others. Building a business takes a village, and you can’t do it alone.
What was growing up like for you and did your growing up in anyway informed your choice of career today?
I grew up in Lagos in a loving home. My father was a typical African father – very disciplined but also supportive. I didn’t always plan to be an entrepreneur, but after completing my masters in oil and gas, I found myself drawn to perfume making. It started as a way to mask certain scents, but it quickly became a passion. I started out by creating bespoke perfumes for clients, which allowed me to connect with them on a deeper level.
What motivated you to take your brand to the international market?
After working in the Nigerian market for 10 years, I felt the need to prove myself in the global perfume industry. I wanted to be recognized as a master perfumer and show the world that high-quality fragrances could be created in West Africa.
How was your experience exhibiting at Pitti Fragranze in Italy, and what opportunities has it brought to your brand?
My experience at Pitti Fragranze was mind-blowing, and I received an overwhelmingly positive response to my fragrances. This exhibition helped me gain recognition in the international perfume industry and opened doors to markets in countries such as Australia, France, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, the United States, and Germany.
What makes your fragrances unique, and how do customers typically respond to them?
My fragrances are unique due to the high-quality oils and materials I use, as well as the story behind each scent. Customers often mention that my fragrances remind them of their rich uncles or take them on a journey through nostalgic folktales, which adds to the overall experience of wearing them.
What is your eventual dream for your brand?
My goal is to make my brand global. Though we are global already, I want to enter new markets and take over the world with the Omais fragrance. I want to continue to create high-quality fragrances that tell a story and evoke emotions. And also continue to offer personalized perfume-making experiences for customers, as I believe this is a unique selling point for my brand