While I’ve always loved fragrances and knew I had a good nose, I was never formally trained. It takes at least seven years to become a master perfumer, and when Michel Design Works began the transition from books to fragrances, I didn’t have the time to focus on such a lengthy endeavor while also transforming our business.

A new product either comes together easily in only a few months, or it takes a few years. While everyone has their own creative process, for example, my Creative Team led by Bob and Tammy, first create story boards for what they feel is up and coming, I prefer to start with the art.

At Michel Design Works, we work with numerous businesses worldwide in order to create our products. Our soap maker and fragrance company are both based in Sussex, England. Our warehouse is located in central Florida. And, we work with a variety of large and small manufacturers around the world. They’re a big part of the process. While some may refer to these companies as our vendors, I’ve always considered them...