Turning Notes into Scents

We’re highlighting small businesses from around the country as nominated by you, our readers. If your favorite small business is using Twitter to communicate with customers, let us know about it @fbsmallbiz with the hashtag #mysbc, and it may be featured as an upcoming Small Business of the Day.

Small Business of the Day: Esscentual Alchemy

Who: Amanda Feeley, 37, @Absinthe_Dragon

What: All-natural botanical perfumes

When:  2010

How: Feeley, a stay-at home mom who homeschools her children, received a do-it-yourself perfume kit from her husband for a birthday in 2009. She enjoyed creating her own scents and began researching indie perfumers.

"I was led to a book called 'Essence and Alchemy,' and was really transfixed," Feeley said. "I came across a chart in the book from an English perfumer who had put together musical staffs, with each note representing a scent. That is when it clicked for me."

Feeley was a music major in college, and felt she could "compose" her own scents. She began selling her creations later that year.

Where: Ames, Iowa

Biggest lesson learned from a customer: "I have learned that people like to be heard. They want to know that you care about them and want to feel valued and appreciated," Feeley said.

"Especially today, where things can be cold and hands off with large big box stores. People like to be appreciated, and I do appreciate every single person that patronizes my business."

To view more Small Businesses of the Day, click our interactive map.