Perfume-making business for Cebuanos to embrace

CEBU, Philippines - You can mix your own perfume, give it your own brand name, sell it and become financially independent.

This was the message top officials from Manila-based Chemworld Fragrance Factory (CFF) wished to impart to Cebuanos as they opened in SM City Cebu last week their first branch outside of Metro Manila, their sixth in the entire Philippines.

Officials said CFF puts perfume-making at the forefront of their business concept, assisting potential entrepreneurs in realizing their dream to "become financially independent by providing quality training, complete supplies and continuing guidance in perfumery business."

"We teach how to create high quality fine fragrances as good as or better than some expensive designer fragrances sold in department stores. We provide step by step guidance, with our formulation experts available for free consultation. The seminars go beyond teaching perfume making," said president and chief executive officer Fred Reyes.

Reyes said livelihood projects do not end in making soaps or making candles alone.

There is, according to him, a great potential in the perfume business because aside from the fact that entrepreneurs are the ones who actually mix their own formulation, the perfumery market is not that stringent when it comes to brands unlike in other cosmetic products.

"People don't care about the perfume's brand. They don't normally care who made it or where it came from. As long as it passes their own standards, they will buy it," he said.

Currently, CFF is drumming up interest of small-scale Cebuano entrepreneurs wanting to earn to put up a business of their own.

"CFF is a social enterprise. If you want to start your own business and make money, it's time you consider perfume making. You will discover that perfume can be sold two to three times what it costs for you to make and that starting your own perfume enterprise requires little capital," said Reyes.

According to CFF top executives, information on perfume making previously did not teach all aspects of the formulation, making it difficult for budding entrepreneurs to do things on their own.

They added it was even harder to find reliable sources of ingredients in affordable and practical pack sizes, along with supplies of the packaging like bottles and spray nozzles.  On top of that, they believe designing an attractive label "can be a nightmare."

"This is what we want to correct," CFF officials said.

"Our seminars include discussions on street-smart marketing strategies based on actual experiences, defining market niche, costing and pricing. We provide all the supplies needed, from fragrance oils, essential oils to all other 'mystery' ingredients, as well as a variety of packaging materials. We have added label design and printing services knowing how important good packaging can help sell perfume," they said.

CFF also has a broad range of high quality fragrance oils from the world's top fragrance manufacturers. For economy of scale, it brings in sizeable quantities and does repacking into bottles such as 30-mL, 120-mL, 250-mL and larger. It also supplies solvents, excipients and attractive packaging materials, among others.

Since 2004, CFF has been conducting "no secrets" seminar/workshops two to three times weekly, reaching some 1,000 participants every year.

This has prompted CFF officials to claim that they have become the leading training center in perfume making and the trusted name for complete, cost effective perfumery supplies.

As for the profitability of their products, Reyes said an initial investment in a starter pack will produce four fast-selling scents of the entrepreneur's choice that will generate up to three times the cost. Their starter kit is currently pegged at P3,500.

CFF is a division of Chemworld Marketing Corp., a distributor of specialty ingredients, fragrances and flavors for the personal care and food industries since 1985. (FREEMAN)