Hi, I’m Collette, and I’m one of the Co-Founders of Scentric Fragrances. People often ask me, “Why did you start this business?” So, I thought it would be fitting to kick off our blog with the story behind how Scentric came to be.
Before launching this venture, I spent years in the corporate world, eventually shifting to work with small and medium-sized businesses, helping them grow. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I was Managing Director of a packaging business in South Cumbria, while my husband Stuart, who’s also my partner in this business, was managing an education recruitment company in Blackpool. Our lockdown experiences couldn’t have been more different; I was working 12-hour days at the kitchen table, while Stuart, on furlough, enjoyed that unexpected stretch of sunny days.
Coming out of that period, both of us knew we wanted a better balance in our lives. Stuart’s job demanded long hours, and I was pouring my energy into building a business that wasn’t mine. We wanted to create something for ourselves, something where we could put all our hard work into a shared dream. So, we started talking about what that would look like.
After a few months of brainstorming and house-hunting, an idea hit me: why not build a business rooted in what I knew best? I’d spent years helping product-based companies grow, I had an extensive network of suppliers and partners, and I knew the steps to set up and scale a business. So, I packed up and moved to Blackpool, and shortly after, Stuart proposed—not a business proposal, but a marriage proposal!
Together, we launched Rothwell Enterprises Limited. Tapping into my network, I started connecting with suppliers and partners to create a range of white-label products, which allowed other businesses to brand existing products under their own names. I’d seen firsthand how difficult and expensive it can be for small businesses to develop new product ranges, and I wanted to make that process accessible. Our business offers low minimum order quantities, making it easier for smaller businesses to bring in new revenue streams without the high upfront costs.
As our product ranges grew, we realised there was a golden opportunity to build our own brand and connect directly with customers. I had a name in mind, so I reached out to a local design agency, Sherbert Lemon, to help develop the brand. They proposed some great branding options for the name I had chosen, but they also threw in a new name for us to consider: Scentric Fragrances. We fell in love with it immediately. With Sherbert Lemon’s expert guidance, we brought the brand to life, from packaging design to building the website. We’re thrilled with what we’ve created; Scentric Fragrances speaks directly to our ideal customer, and we’re so proud of how the brand has taken shape.
At Scentric, we focus on high-quality products designed to be as sustainable as possible, with a commitment to giving back to our community. Every product in the Scentric range is available for wholesale and stockists, and we also offer white-label options for clients wanting their own branding.
We’re beyond excited for what’s ahead and can’t wait to share the journey with you. Thank you for following along with us at Scentric Fragrances—here’s to what’s next!
