Welcome to Episode 85 of the Indie Business Podcast! Today's Indie Story introduces you to Christine Mineart of Sent Nudes, in Oakland, California. Shortly before the pandemic lockdowns, Christine and her friends decided to create a day centered around making their own perfumes and then visiting a local perfume museum. They ordered all of the supplies, set a date, and then BAM, the pandemic hit. But while COVID-19 may have forced the friends to postpone their girls event, it inspired Christine to start her own fragrance business.







In this episode, you'll hear the whole story, plus get some tips on how to integrate meaningful life experiences into your brand in ways that truly connect with your target buyer. Enjoy my interview with Christine NOW!



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Episode Show Notes



Here are the topics discussed in this episode, with time stamps to help you find the information that interests you most:



* Christine Mineart goes from pastry chef to scientist to fragrance formulator. (starting at 1:55)* Why it's important to Christine and her customers to know where ingredients come from. (starting at 7:34)* The process of going from being interested in perfume, to making and selling it. (starting at 12:00)* Christine's first perfume: Love in a Time of Corona, followed by Heaven's Mouth. (starting at 14:45)* The story behind the brand name: Sent Nudes. (starting at 18:15)* The amazing “Mix Tape.” (starting at 21:33)* Why Christine published a digital magazine. (starting at 25:55)* Christine's inspiration-based perfume making process. (starting at 34:27)* Christine's advice for those wanting to start a business and keep a traditional job. (starting at 41:35)



















Resources and Links Mentioned in this Episode



In this episode, Christine and I mentioned the following resources.



* Sent Nudes website* Sent Nudes on Instagram* Natural perfumer: Mandy Aftel* Botanical extract supplier: Perfumer's Apprentice* Botanical extract supplier: Eden's Botanicals



Important entrepreneurial insights from Christine



Let's unpack some of the most significant business insights Christine and I discussed in this episode.



1. Integrating your authentic self into your brand



Christine shared that, for her, the scent creation process is an extension of some thing or experience that has inspired her. It is not the result of feeling the need to create a new scent. The infusion of who Christine is as a person highlights the artistic nature of her work. She compares it to an artist who creates a painting. The artist and the work are integrally connected. A current tangible example of this is how Christine plans to integrate her training as a Reiki Master into her next fragrant creations.



2. Creating a digital magazine



Christine's Sent Nudes Magazine is truly innovative, and it's not just another publication. It's a reflection of the fact that Sent Nudes sta...