How to Quit Your Day Job and Start Your Own Perfume Line

Jennifer Chen
Mar 15, 2016

If you’re cultivating your perfect scent with homemade DIY perfume concoctions that garner rave reviews from your co-workers, or your purses and desk drawers are chock full of perfume, you might be destined for a career in fragrance. This week, in our How to Quit Your Day Job series, we’re chatting with JT Siems, the owner behind Sweet Tea Apothecary, a signature fragrance company. Scroll on for her transition into the world of beauty products after a career as a high school teacher.

Meet The Fragrance Pro: JT Siems

After teaching English literature in an inner city in California for several years, JT realized that as rewarding as teaching was, she felt emotionally drained. A move with her husband to Washington state inspired her to jump into a new career. Perfume making was a hobby she loved, so she decided to try selling her goods. JT combined her love of literature with scents and launched Sweet Tea Apothecary. With perfume oils like Sylvia, inspired by The Bell Jar, (an intoxicating blend of vanilla, clove and fig) and the sweet smelling Pemberley, inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, JT has created unique fragrances that have landed her awards from the Seattle Artisan Fragrance Salon. “I’ve actually had English teachers order class sample sets to use for writing exercises, which is a huge honor to me,” says JT.

The Tips

1. Go all in. When JT moved to Washington state, she jumped right into Sweet Tea Apothecary, rather than update her teaching credentials from California. While she admits it was stressful in the beginning to launch her perfume company, she says, “I might not ever have started without the push.” By taking the leap, she learned as she went along. “Starting is the fun part because you get out of your head.”

2. Don’t be afraid to share your dreams with your loved ones. Sure, it might seem like your friends and family think your solid perfume line is a cute “Etsy thing,” but your dedicated squad of friends will be there 110 percent to support you. Speak up. Tell them what you want to do. Discuss your plans, and get their feedback. “I was afraid my husband would be stressed about the money, but he was the best from the beginning. He thought it was really cool, and we used to get coffee and discuss what things I needed to think about, like marketing, packaging, shipping and my platform,” says JT.

3. Use criticism to your advantage. When heading to craft shows or getting your first Etsy reviews, you might feel stung by any negative feedback. But, JT thinks this is the ideal opportunity to learn what you could fix and tweak for next time. “When people criticize you, always respond with grace and good customer service. I’ve had a few angry emails and can honestly say that by not letting it get to me, we found peaceful and pleasant resolutions,” says JT.

4. Sniff out inspiration. When developing new fragrances, JT finds dozens of different ways to brainstorm. Reading, a whiff of a scent while out or a new ingredient that she’s excited to use can all help her formulate a perfume oil. “Or I pick ingredients based on lines they’ve written or offhand comments my subject has made. My unisex cologne Dharma Bum was inspired by a trip with my classmates in college, where we went to Big Sur and read The Dharma Bums,” says JT. This part of the creative process is JT’s absolute favorite thing about working for herself. “It’s a rush coming up with a new formula and immersing myself in a subject’s life.”

5. Be passionate about what you do. When potential customers and loyal fans see that you absolutely adore what you do, it shines through. When she developed a candle line for Sweet Tea Apothecary, the candles didn’t sell as well as the oils. She quickly realized that her perfumes and the stories behind them were what drew in her customers, and she stopped producing the candles. “People love seeing you get passionate about your product,” says JT.

Perfect Your Skills

1. Take Beginning Classes at The Institute of Art and Olfactory (starting at $50): Located in Los Angeles, this nonprofit organization offers open sessions for beginners to learn the basics of making perfume. For more advanced sessions, snag a spot with perfume professionals in two-day workshop intensives.

2. Start Your Creative Business with Etsy (Free): This online video from General Assembly will get you started on learning what you need to know to launch your Etsy shop from business basics to must-use online tools.

3. Plan a Literary Road Trip: If you’re like JT and find inspiration from your favorite writers like Cheryl Strayed and F. Scott Fitzgerald, follow their trails with this handy interactive US map from the folks at Atlas Obscura.

What’s your dream career? Tweet us @BritandCo to let us know, and we could feature it in the next column!

(Photos via Sweet Tea Apothecary)

How To Build A Local Community When You’re A Digital Creator

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Rita Suzanne, a marketing strategist for health and wellness businesses who learned to network, connect with other entrepreneurs, and build her business online and IRL.

What's an unexpected business challenge that you've had to face and how did you overcome it?

The hardest thing for me was my sister passed away and I ended up taking custody of my nieces. I ended up being a single mom of four kids. This is the thing that transitioned my whole entire life. I stopped doing web design and started my podcast Mom Owned and Operated. I wanted to reconnect with other moms and figure out how they were able to run their businesses and raise a family and take care of themselves because I wasn't able to do all three at the same time. Through that journey, I realized that I really needed to connect with other people and how important it was for my business. It helped me to create that community that I was yearning for that I didn't realize that I needed.

What's a recent small win for your business?

For me, the win was just pivoting back to something that I actually wanted to do. Also, I’ve started to say no to things that I no longer want to do.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I have always admired and looked up to Amy Porterfield [author of Two Weeks Notice]. I listened to her all the time when I was starting out. I think that she's amazing and I love her stuff. She just seems like a very genuine person.

Is there a resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I listen to a lot of audio books. One of my favorites that has been huge for me is You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I was told when I first started my business, by a friend who was a business coach, that I have a mindset problem. Ten years ago, I had no idea even what “mindset” was. Sincero’s book helped me to see what she meant by “mindset” and helped me adjust that mindset and fix some of the things that I didn't realize were broken.

How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program helped propel your business forward?

There are a lot of things that I have loved about it. There are local networking and training opportunities, and that has been great, and the online training is very valuable. It's a great resource. I find that marketing needs a three-tiered approach, meaning you need to network it locally, socially, and then also have a very comprehensive online approach to your marketing. One of the Verizon Small Business trainings that I took was all about taking advantage of your local resources. I found that to be extremely valuable because often people think they need to just focus on social media. I don't think that people focus enough on their local community.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Rita Suzanne.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces

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I'm Fully Obsessed With This All-Blue Bathroom Reno — See The Transformation

The recent trend toward warmer hues like burgundy, terra cotta, olive, and brown, has had me rethinking my blue-leaning home. I've been sprinkling in things like pale pink pillowcases, a burgundy throw blanket, and olive green rug, and loving my warmer aesthetic. But then Amanda Leigh and Taylor Hahn, of celeb-loved design firm House of Rolison, stopped me in my redecorating tracks with their latest bathroom renovation.

Take a look at this stunning blue bathroom renovation that I can't get enough of — plus tips on how to transform your own space!

Nils Timm

In the middle of an earthy 1940s Spanish Colonial home, this stunning cobalt blue bath alcove feels like a refreshing, bold and unexpected moment of calm. And I'm obsessed.

"Historically, Spanish-style homes did incorporate deep blues and greens and we wanted to honor that as well as just a fun play on words given the iconic street name, Bluebird Ave," says Amanda. I love that homage. Once a closet, the bath's arch opening creates a tucked-in feeling around the tub with Zia Tile in Night Blue as the dramatic facade.

Nils Timm

"We made sure to wrap the home in windows, which brought the landscaping into the color palette giving us the opportunity to mix greens, blues, reds and dusty olives into the design," says Taylor.

The pair took a fresh take on Spanish design while keeping the home's soul intact. A deep low-profile sofa sets the tone for its elevated yet warm and casual vibe. "We appreciate structural and architectural integrity while allowing every room to tell a story," says Amanda.

Nils Timm

Each room feels like a chapter in a book, woven together with earthy tones, Spanish Colonial charm, and sleek contemporary design. “We love to play around with various monochromatic palettes," adds Amanda. "Generally people stray from cold colors and right now burgundy and reds are trending, which fall very heavily on the warm scale. We found a way to compliment both."

Nils Timm

The design duo, who are also engaged!, used Viola marble throughout the home to add unique texture, a bold statement, and an organic feel.

Nils Timm

The rich hues create an old-world feel throughout, including in the master bedroom's lounge area. Black-framed windows and elements with darker tones pair perfectly with warm woods and the dramatic stone featured in the kitchen and bath.

Nils Timm

The result is a soothing palette designed for sleep, rest, and relaxation. The fireplace adds a cozy touch, while the room's connection to the outdoors creates a harmonious vibe.

Nils Timm

The rustic and moody dining room is the perfect counterbalance to the sunny outdoors of the Hollywood Hills home. I’m in love with the cozy intimacy of a round dining table, which draws everyone together vs. apart at the center.

Nils Timm

This deep red-hued bedroom hints to the home's Spanish influence while still feeling fresh and contemporary.

Nils Timm

House of Rolison's best bathroom renovation advice?

"Don’t be afraid to get a little weird! Have fun with it. We always say “cool or too weird?” Which is really an homage to how we look at them," says Taylor.

Amanda adds: "To us, a bathroom is like a pop of color or texture to a bedroom. It’s like the jewelry of the space. Use paint, wall texture, paneling, Roman clay, wainscoting et cetera to give the walls some movement. Pick stones that you like for no other reason than because you like them. You may have to trial and error complimenting colors, but it’ll come together. Bathrooms are an easy place to get creative and take risks."

Nils Timm

Each bedroom does feel like a reflection of the bathrooms, telling its own story but feeling cohesive to the space. I love this pop of reddish-brown in a sphere pillow paired with the striped bolster in an otherwise neutral space.

Nils Timm

The era of all-white homes is clearly fading. Drenching walls in rich color while balancing them with lighter tones creates a look that feels warm and welcoming rather than stark and cold.

Nils Timm

Thoughtful details, expressed by collaborator Olive Ateliers, like a three-light floor lamp in the reading nook, vintage artwork, and stone pots add character and charm to create an inviting guest room.

Nils Timm

The bar area in its own intimate nook complements the kitchen with the same bold marble and similar chain pendant.

Nils Timm

I spy a pop of blue tile near the pool in the backyard too!

Nils Timm

The dramatic entryway arch sets the stage for the style and character of the home's stunning interior. Thanks Amanda and Taylor for sharing this beautiful space, and congratulations!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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The Secrets To A Thriving Music Career

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet La Wuandia, singer, songwriter, and promoter behind the Chicago-based global entertainment company Agape Vibes.

La Wuandia of Agape Vibes

What's the most unexpected business challenge you've faced and how did you overcome it?

When I began in the late ‘90s, it was not a surprise that financial institutions would not lend to unconventional or non-traditional businesses like a performance company and even further to a person of color, and even to a female person of color. That was one of the initial road bumps. Then, when the pandemic hit, I had to figure out how to still perform for profit. The audio isn’t great on Zoom, so I started reaching out to other groups and we started performing outdoors, and traveling around the country. They were practically giving hotel rooms away!

What’s a recent small win for you and your business?

Staying Alive. Staying Alive. [laughs] During the pandemic, so many doors closed. But I was able to support my band members who did not have nine-to-fives to fall back on. Now, whenever I do have a performance, if they have something booked, they'll find a sub for that book and come and perform with me. You got to love that integrity.

Who is a woman in business that you look up to and why?

I had the opportunity to meet [a late Supreme Court Justice]. I was a flight attendant, and when she was leaving the plane, she told me she had never experienced a flight with my service ever before. Of course, I was floating. For someone of that caliber to stop and actually recognize and acknowledge my services is truly amazing. I love her story, how she was able to balance work and life and family, then to be able to go as far as the Supreme Court. That was amazing to me.

What's a book, podcast, or resource that has made an impact on you as an entrepreneur?

I love motivational speaker Jim Rohn’s practical applications and how he helps an individual to recognize that a lot of what we are hoping to obtain is already within us, it's a matter of focus. It's a matter of keeping our thought processes positive and moving forward. And also to keep our circle with positive like-minded individuals.

How has the free Verizon Small Business program helped propel your business forward?

The one beautiful thing that I love that Verizon did was to analyze my website [via 1:1 coaching]. I started to learn how my website was being utilized in terms of the traffic and how I can make better use of it. Their digital platform also offered peer networking, peer coaching, mentoring, and it was not a long drawn-out type of programming or training. It was to the point, and then offered a way to get more information. Finally, what I learned from the Verizon program is how to pay myself and how to assess my worth. I was paying myself whatever was leftover, but I realized that was wrong. I needed to give myself a salary.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Agape Vibes.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces.

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Mark Ruffalo Loves '13 Going On 30' As Much As The Rest Of Us — And This Is His Favorite Scene

I think it's safe to say we collectively fell in love with Mark Ruffalo and his Razzles in 13 Going on 30. The leather jackets, the Brooklyn charm, the slightly guarded nature of his tender, tender heart — oh, and those gorgeous curls — really sealed the deal for us all. But does the Avengersstar have the same affinity for our favorite rom-com as we do? Apparently so! Here's what he told PEOPLEmagazine about 13 Going on 13, filming with Jennifer Garner, and more!

Scroll down to see what Mark Ruffalo had to say!

Mark Ruffalo told PEOPLE that he's aware "people fell in love" with 13 Going on 30 — and that he loves it too! PEOPLE reported that the All the Light We Cannot See star spoke about this love during a benefit for Central Park West. He said, “Probably more than every other movie, that's the one I get people talking about when they come up to me.”

And while we has plenty of impressive titles under his acting belt to reference, he noted that people constantly bring up his nighttime Razzles escapade — some even handing him the candy if they can! — "over and over again."

When talking about why an early 2000s rom-com like 13 Going on 30 is such a popular classic, he notes that the themes are "common denominators" like "caring for our family." He said, "I don't care who you are, whether you want love or you felt love, every house has love in it, hopefully, some form of love.”

Okay, BRB crying over how sweet that is...and doing the "Thriller" dance while I'm at it! What? I can't help it! 😉

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Oop, Someone Leaked The 'Snow White' Trailer (And It Looks Incredible)

Following in the footsteps of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid, there's a new live Disney movie in the works: a live-action Snow White! The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes actress Rachel Zegler stars as Snow White in the new iteration, and this weekend, we got the first official look at the film!

Snow White has faced plenty of controversy this year, from the actors' comments to the costumes to the rest of the cast, but I'm actually excited for it. I'll see any story that places women at the forefront!!

Here's everything you need to know about the new live action Snow White, coming in 2025.

Is there a Snow White trailer?

@biran337 rachels voice😭🤍! #rachel#rachelzegler#snow#SnowWhite#billie#BillieEilish#barbie#GretaGerwig#halle#HalleBailey#disney#Disney100#littlemermaid#thelittlemermaid#MickeyMouse#apple#poisonapple#poison#somedaymyprincewillcome#partofyourworld#chloe#chloebailey#zendaya#thehungergames#music#musicvideos#sing#singing#coquette#dwarfs#sevendwarfs#snowwhiteandthesevendwarfs#snowwhiteliveaction#digital#30s#40s#50s#60s#70s#80s#90s#00s#2010s#2020s#megan#megantheestallion#style#ootd#outfits#makeup#wish#disneyprincess#princess#prince#beyonce#hungergames#beautyandthebeast#belle#achangeinme♬ original sound - mina

Well, yes...but also no. Someone leaked the brand new Snow White trailer to TikTok and I can't stop watching. Rachel Zegler's vocals, Gal Gadot's mystery, and the handsome Jonathan. Because, FYI, Rachel clarified that the movie will feature romance, telling Variety that "I would never want to box someone in and say, ‘If you want love, then you can’t work.’ Or ‘If you want to work, then you can’t have a family.’ It’s not true. It’s never been true."

"The love story is very integral," she continues. "A lot of people wrote that we weren’t doing [the romance] anymore — we were always doing that; it just wasn’t what we were talking about on that day."

What else has Rachel said about the movie?

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney

Like the live-action Disney movies before it, the new Snow White teaser trailer shows off a variety of shots you know and love from the original 1937 movie. But there's also a hint of modern edge that I'm excited to see in the final film. While the cartoon Snow White is pure sweetness, Rachel Zegler adds a touch of sass, spunk, and determination. I have no doubt she'll be able to bring the iconic princess into the modern age without sacrificing the goodness we love in the original character!

But as much as I love seeing Rachel Zegler in this starring role, I was not expecting the entire movie to look so CGI. The live-action Cinderella was successful aesthetically because it used so many practical elements, but so far, the Snow White visuals — from the animals to the dwarves to the cottage — seem a little hazy.

However some people are taking their critiques wayyyy too far and sending Zegler literal death threats. "fun fact i will be dying eight times a week on broadway this fall!!!!!" she says in response to a now-deleted tweet. "get your tickets, lee! also @fbi." You can see Zegler star in Romeo + Juliet opposite Kit Connor.

When is the live-action Snow White coming out?

Disney

Snow White Release Date

Snow White hits theaters on March 21, 2025! Check out the rest of the Most-Anticipated 2025 Movies you can watch next year. The lineup is already amazing.

What is the new Snow White movie about?

Disney

Snow White Plot

It looks like Snow White will focus more on the princess becoming a leader than it will on her romance. And Rachel Zegler went viral for her comments on how the film would change the original story. "We absolutely wrote a Snow White [that's] not going to be saved by the prince, and she’s not going to be dreaming about true love," Rachel says in a clip from D23 in 2022. "She’s going to be dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave, and true.”

Many internet users didn't like how Rachel phrased her problem with the original story, claiming that telling women they have to choose between falling in love and leadership is inherently anti-feminist. "No but she could fall in love AND be a leader at the same time," one TikTok user commented.

However, the extreme backlash to Rachel's comments was put in a new light after Priscilla star Jacob Elordi (who plays Elvis Presley) joked he didn't know much about Elvis except what he learned on Lilo & Stitch.

"Okay but when Rachel Zegler says she wasn’t a fan of the original Snow White (a cartoon btw), and only revisited it for her role as Snow White, she’s 'entitled' and a brat," one user wrote on X. "This just confirms Rachel Zegler hate is literally just misogyny." Say it louder for the people in the back!

Who else is in the cast of Snow White?

Disney

Snow White Cast

Gal Gadot will star as the Evil Queen opposite Rachel Zegler's Snow White. We'll also see Andrew Burnap as Jonathan (in place of the original film's Prince) and Ansu Kabia as the Huntsman.

Will Snow White be a musical?

Disney

Yes, Snow White is going to be a musical, just like the original film! In addition to original songs like "Whistle While You Work," La La Land and The Greatest Showman writers Pasek and Paul (who also added a couple of new songs to the 2019 Aladdin) wrote some new tunes for the film.

How many dwarves does Snow White have?

Disney

In the original film, Snow White meets seven dwarves: Doc, Bashful, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, and Sleepy. After actor Peter Dinklage expressed his anger over the new story ("You're still making that f—king backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f—k are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soap box? I guess I'm not loud enough," he said in an episode of Marc Maron's WTF podcast), Disney released a statement to Good Morning America saying they were changing the original story.

"To avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community," a Disney spokesperson said. "We look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period."

However, the movie's first look clearly shows Rachel Zegler's Snow White surrounded by seven dwarfs, and honestly, we're even more confused than we were before about how Disney has updated the story, if at all.

What is the original dark story of Snow White?

Disney

In the original Grimm's Fairytales Snow White, the princess avoids even more brushes with death than she does in the Disney version. In addition to the poison apple, the queen also tries to suffocate her with too-tight bodice laces, as well as a poison comb through her hair.

Are you excited for Disney's Snow White, or do you wish they had just come up with a new story? Check out our Movies page for the latest news on the rest of this year's films, including this year's Fall Movies!

This post has been updated.

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