Founder Labs explores the story of ‘Perfume Lounge’, with its cofounder Shivam Sood.
The Perfume market is growing rapidly in India as current generation believes in experimentation with fragrance based on requirements and changing life styles. Now choices are more for every occasion be it office or gym or marriage function and part of everyday choices. Variety is available now ad ays in the perfumery market which is poised to grow at USD 657.72 million by FY2030.
When asked what is Perfume Lounge all about?
Sood was highly enthusiastic and delves us into details about the company’s fragrance business and how things are curated in e-collection collection i.e. high-quality, affordable fragrances designed to elevate corporate gifting experience and personal usage. Perfume Lounge curates specific fragrance variety for women to explore.
There are number of key players in perfume business who created digitals channels and invested actively in digital marketing channels to increase product visibility to promote products. Using social media and influencer marketing is one of the ways, other is e-commerce a definitive means for perfume suppliers to connect with a large audience in an out of the country.
Shivam Sood, Cofounder of Perfume Lounge tell us how he started his journey in fragrance business and went on to build a brand of scent that is affordable.
Shivam Sood started Perfume Lounge in 2022, before that Shivam helped scale multiple online food brands for an Australian cloud kitchen aggregator. He has also been involved with the start-up ecosystem since 2011, both as an entrepreneur and consultant.
For Shivam the freedom and challenge of creating something excites and this led to creating Perfume Lounge this reflects commitment to quality and cultural resonance that they identify with the brand.
Being passionate about building businesses that leverage technology to offer a great user experience is the main motto. Corporate gifting comes under niche products and Perfume Lounge has diversified fragrance collection in perfume to cater to diverse consumer preferences.
Offerings in Fragrance
While Perfume Lounge came into existence their commitment to quality and cultural resonance is something they identify with the Brand.Perfume Lounge offering have unmatched selection and collection of scents for all personalities and occasions. Their Premium Presentation gift for corporates comes with exquisitely packaged in their signature boxes.
Shivam wanted to take gifting to the next level with a variety of premium packaging and design options to personalize customer’s bulk orders.
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Creating Online Presence a must for the Brand
Perfume Lounge offers customizable design that reflect about the brand, includes Premium Gift Sets from a selection that offers touch of sophistication.
Shivam focused on building a strong online presence that can cater to users and user experience. By understanding their target audience preferences, they curated a collection of unique fragrances at competitive prices.
Positive customer reviews and focus on building a community have been instrumental in our growth journey. As per him the journey is filled with challenges as the fragrance industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially in the online space.
Creating Experience in Fragrance
Perfume Lounge transcends mere fragrance gifting. Sood believed in orchestrating olfactory experiences that evoke emotions and memories. Each meticulously formulated scent is designed for quality and longevity, ensuring a long-lasting impression.
He says all our fragrances are paraben-free and skin-friendly, allowing the recipient to enjoy the scent with complete comfort.
‘Tailored Solutions for Your Needs: Our dedicated team understands the importance of a personal touch in corporate gifting’
There is a team in place that will take you through fragrance selection, design options, and ensure timely delivery for any size order.
The Entrepreneurial journey
The freedom and challenge of creating something new and seeing it grow is what excites me most says Sood with smile in his face. Educating customers about the brand and creating a value proposition can be challenging. However, their early focus on building brand loyalty and positive customer experiences positions the company for future growth’ explained Sood.
‘Being an entrepreneur is about enjoying the problem-solving aspect and the opportunity to make a positive impact on consumers’ lives’. For Shivam seeing his customers connect with the brand and products is incredibly motivating.
‘We are passionate about creating a positive impact on the fragrance industry in India, and the positive feedback from our customers fuels our drive to keep innovating and growing’ says Shivam.
Mission & Vision of Perfume Lounge
‘We’ll work with you to create a bespoke gifting experience that aligns with your budget and vision’ said Shivam
Perfume Lounge is on a mission to make high-quality fragrances accessible and affordable for everyday use. The company aims to particularly cater the aspirational Gen-Z and Millennial women in India.
Curating selection based on long-lasting fragrances and designed to suit diverse preferences is what the company believes to achieve to have sizeable growth in fragrance market.
Designing Affordable Fragrance biggest ‘A-Ha’ moment
Shivam realized there is a significant gap in the Indian market for high-quality, affordable fragrances that is designed specifically for modern Indian women.
To create offerings which are affordable for women customers and diverse in terms of offerings, solidified their vision for Perfume Lounge and Shivam saw that great opportunity waits where they can empower women through fragrance.
This led to creation of fragrance for women customers in affordable range and had variety.
Advice to New age Entrepreneurs
They must focus on understanding their target customers and their needs deeply. Building a strong team with complementary skill sets and shared vision is a must requirement for a successful set up.
Be prepared to adapt and iterate as you learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks, but also be mindful of managing resources effectively.
Mentors who played a key role in Shivam’s Journey
‘Building a successful fragrance business is definitely a team effort and expertise. In that sense, I’d certainly credit my co-founders, Deepak and Parvesh, as invaluable mentors throughout this journey’ Shivam says.
Deepak’s extensive experience in the fragrance and aerosol industry has been instrumental in ensuring our product development and sourcing are on point.
His deep understanding of the fragrance industry, from a manufacturing and distribution perspective, has been a huge asset.
Parvesh’s background in perfume packaging and manufacturing solutions, particularly with leading private-label fragrance companies, has been equally valuable.
His insights into consumer preferences and the competitive landscape within the Indian fragrance market have been critical in shaping our product strategy and brand positioning. Together, their expertise has been a tremendous resource in helping to understand the category in much greater depth.
Market Opportunities & Future Growth Plans
The Indian fragrance market is poised for significant growth, particularly among young women. ‘As an entrepreneur we see this as an opportunity to expand their product range and reach new customers through a combination of online and offline channels’.
Currently the company aims to focus on building brand awareness, creating a strong community, and offering exceptional value to our customers.
The company is exploring potential franchise opportunities to expand their physical presence across India.
‘We’ll work with you to create a bespoke gifting experience that aligns with your budget and vision’.
