Starting your own perfume line is achievable, even as an entrepreneur without a perfumery background. What matters is the order. This step-by-step guide helps you arrange the right things first.
1. Define your positioning
Who is your perfume for, in which price segment and with which story? Clear positioning decides everything that follows: fragrance, bottle, price and channel.
2. Write a fragrance brief
Describe the mood, the occasion, the scents you love and your references. A good brief saves iterations and therefore money.
3. Choose your route: white label or private label
If you want to test quickly, choose white label. If you want a unique fragrance, choose private label. Also read the difference between the two.
4. Have the fragrance developed
The perfumer works in iterations. Plan time for testing on the skin, refinement and maturation.
5. Arrange the regulation
For a perfume on the European market, rules apply for safety assessment, notification and labelling. Read our guide perfume and regulation in Europe.
6. Decide name, bottle and packaging
Bottle, cap, box and label determine a large part of the cost price and the experience. Ask early about minimum quantities and lead times.
7. Choose your sales channel
Your own webshop gives control and margin. Retailers ask for a wholesale price, often around half of the retail price excl. VAT. Calculate both before choosing a price.
8. Make a budget
- Development of the fragrance
- Any IP transfer or exclusivity
- Production: fragrance oil, alcohol, bottle, packaging, labour
- Safety assessment and notification
- Branding, photography and launch