For Maekaeda Gibbons, fragrance has always been a way for her to feel connected to her mother. Growing up in Trinidad, Gibbons would visit her mother in the United States, and her mother would leave behind clothes with her perfume on them, which always reminded Gibbons of her. This experience taught Gibbons how fragrance affected her mood, and she would later use it as a way to combat stress in her corporate career.

From Financial Analyst to Fragrance Entrepreneur

By trade, Gibbons is a financial analyst who worked as a loan officer for Bank of America. However, a few years into her career, she realized that she was extremely stressed during her day-to-day work. Perfumes became her go-to solution for calming down. Whenever she had a difficult customer or interaction, she would apply her favorite scent to her wrists and instantly feel calmer.

Noticing the positive effects of fragrance on her own well-being, Gibbons decided to experiment with creating her own fragrances. She started formulating oils known for their calming and relaxing effects and her co-workers began asking her to make them some. This led to the birth of Brown Sugar Babe, her fragrance company.

The Inspiration Behind Brown Sugar Babe

The name of the company, Brown Sugar Babe, was inspired by Gibbons' love for a certain genre of music. She recalls some of the happiest times in her teenage years, when the song "Brown Sugar" by D'Angelo was popular. Fragrance and music have always gone hand-in-hand for her, as they both evoke memories. Her love for popular R&B songs from the '80s and '90s is evident in the names of some of her earlier fragrance creations.

Listening to Customers and Evolving

Over the years, Gibbons has learned that fragrance is subjective, and she has made it a priority to listen to her customers. She regularly seeks input from them on what scents they would like to see or create versions of. This approach has allowed Brown Sugar Babe to offer a wide variety of fragrance oils that cater to different preferences.

Expanding Into Other Cosmetic Categories

Gibbons has big plans to expand Brown Sugar Babe beyond just fragrance. While she can't reveal too much, she hints at entering the home fragrance and hair space. Additionally, there will be changes to the existing body-care lineup. Gibbons is excited to continue using fragrance to impact people's lives in new and innovative ways.

Maekaeda Gibbons' journey from using fragrance for personal comfort to building a successful business around it is a testament to the power of scent and its ability to evoke emotions and create connections.

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