Foreign exchange stifling fragrance, skin care business in Nigeria, says entrepreneur 

A business owner and founder of Essence by RJ, Miss Orume Oghenejode has lamented the impact of high exchange rate on home fragrances and natural skincare business in the country.

Speaking at the Bi-monthly PR Tea Party organised for Small and Medium Scale businesses by Hustle Africa, in Ikeja, Lagos, Oghenejode stressed that the impact of high exchange is stiffing the business because most of the fragrance is imported.

According to her, in as much as she tries to use local things, there are a lot of correlations, which affected her business for the first two years.

Stressing the importance of fragrance, the Chief Executive Officer of Essence by RJ, said fragrance is good for all ages and resonates certain experiences, which calm nervous situations.

She encouraged Nigerians to go for fragrance’s soothing abilities, especially in stressful situations and environments.

Some of the products needed for such moments, she said, include premium long-lasting reed diffusers, room sprays, scented candles & wax melts (made from 100per cent environmentally friendly materials.

According to her, Essence by RJ, is excited to be a refined brand, offering both premium home fragrances and natural skincare products as well adopting the slogan ,’turning every day moment to extraordinary experiences’ to showcase the therapeutic effect of fragrance.

She said: “These five years have been good but we’ve had a lot of challenges, especially with the competition in exchange rates.

” As much as we try to use local things, there are a lot of correlations. So, it has affected the business for the first two years.

” As much as there are those challenges, we target the experience of self-care.

“For example, there are a lot of challenges that you’re facing as Nigerians, which can be managed with the right fragrance.

“Sometimes you just want to go home and relax. Or go to your house, generally, and relax.

“If you get my diffuser or my candle, you can just light it, it transforms the entire space and atmosphere. That way, you don’t need to travel to experience certain things. You can just experience your peace and tranquility right there in your home.

“So, for us, we sell the experience. By selling the experience, It makes people more happy.

‘To tackle your stress, there are a lot of scents that can calm your nerves .

“And we have certain candles for certain experiences. So, the entire atmosphere is relaxing and inviting. So, that way, you’re relaxed in your house. And you’re calm.

“You’re not thinking about the pressures of Nigeria and their problems. You’re just relaxed. So, that way, you’re eager to go home because it gives you those few minutes of tranquility.”

Explaining further, Oghenejode said for diffusers and room sprays, they have tobacco oud, orient bliss, orchid and amber bouquet that help in that regard.

“For the candles, I have candles and wax melts. So, for the candles and wax melts, I have lemongrass, sweet wood, lavender and sage.

Lavender and sage, in particular, is a very relaxing fragrance. So, when you burn it, it actually helps you with relaxation,” she said.

On the affordability of fragrance, Oghenejode said they are very affordable for an average Nigerian.

“One of the major things that I looked at when going into this business was for the beauty of it all. Because I want people to be able to afford what I’m selling.

“Because if not, I’m not going to overprice myself out of the market. And I also believe that prices are very reasonable compared to others out there. So, for now, it’s all good,” she added.

On why she adopted the online model for her business in December 2020, she said it was to get a wider reach.

We want to reach different kinds of people, young people, old people, middle-class people, because there are needs for all,” she added.