My name is Kaltham Alassam. I am 39 years old, and I have two beautiful kids. My family’s origin is Persian, but my father migrated to Qatar long before my siblings and I were born. My mother is from Bahrain originally, she met my father in Qatar, and soon they married. So I didn’t come from a wealthy family and didn’t have a golden spoon in my mouth.
Growing up, I was always interested in science and how the human body functions internally and in relation to the universe. However, God had a different plan for me. So, I graduated high school science major at 19 years old and went off to a clerical job. Then, I tried flexing my entrepreneurial muscles at 23 years old by contracting with a government office to rent my 4×4 car to their engineers and a private limo company to rent my SUV to their customers. As a result, I made over $7000 net earnings in less than 12 months. All the while, I started my business in science bachelor’s degree in 2009 while I was still working full time.
While cherishing my dream of self-employment, I took on different jobs in leadership, strategic planning and performance management, strategy execution, public relations, and events management. Nonetheless, I always felt that there was more in stock for me.
What inspired you to start Magnifique Dame?
I didn’t inherit any ancestors’ secret recipes and all. I remember my grandmother applying pure Henna mixed with water or some oils blend every week on my hair. But that was it! In my teen years, I constantly checked over-the-counter products and their ingredients, influenced by the commercial ads on television to try them out. Especially the ones that had herbs in their ingredients, or so advertised that way. I have always been passionate about everything natural in beauty but didn’t know other than dermatologists at the time. So I spent thousands of dollars during my youth years visiting the dermatologist, hoping to get rid of acne and pigments. Unfortunately, while the visits paid off for some time, acne and pigments continued to come back during my adolescent life.
Come pregnancy, and hello pigmentation, stretch marks, and hair loss! I felt colics in my stomach, and that wasn’t because of my pregnancy. Instead, my anxiety and fear of what was considered safe for my first baby and me. This feeling in my gut triggered my research and investigation for natural products. I explored using fresh, natural, raw ingredients from my kitchen, read a lot about different components, researched chemical reactions of the various compounds of each ingredient. I was on my way to becoming a Diva; I discussed other treatments considered safe for pregnancy products in the industry with beauty salon professionals. Moving forward, I combined the knowledge I gained through experimenting and researching, equipped myself with certifications in herbalism, organic skincare, organic haircare, anti-aging skincare, and crystal healing diplomas. All that allowed me to maintain healthy skin and thick hair before, during, and after both pregnancies. So I wanted to make that possible for all the women out there. That is when Magnifique Dame was born. Since then, it became my mission to lead the shift from synthetic to natural beauty & a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.
Tell us more about Magnifique Dame, who are your clients, what are they looking for?
We are an Indie Beauty & Cosmeceutical Brand that aims to change the community’s overall perception of organic & natural beauty and drive a shift towards sustainable natural cosmeceuticals and a healthy lifestyle. We believe that our best resources are mother nature, and beauty goes hand-in-hand with internal health and wellness. That is why we follow the holistic approach when assessing an issue. Our approach acknowledges the complexity & uniqueness of individuals, thus requiring a deep examination of all aspects of a person’s life, past and present. Our clients are women and men with hair & skin issues who seek a holistic approach to treating the root cause of their problem and not just looking to numb the symptoms or for a quick fix.
Tell us, what do you do as the owner?
I am a Solopreneur, so I rely heavily on AI to run my business. I have a team of Brand Ambassadors and selective testing groups to manage tangible things like marketing by word-of-mouth, personal marketing through social media, testing products, and getting feedback. The latter allows me to focus more on research, formulation, and quality control.
How is the beauty industry different today than it was just a few years ago?
A few years ago, most communities resented unnecessary plastic surgeries made to change a person’s appearance rather than treat a condition that needs human intervention. However, nowadays, there is an increased interest in plastic surgery, quick fixes, and coverups influenced by celebrities & influencers. As a result, people have become impatient when it comes to looking good in front of a mirror, and going under the knife has become their first choice, whether it is for the face or the body.
This trend has created a niche market for the organic & natural beauty industry with significant challenges. Some of the challenges are to convince your potential customers that organic & natural are just as good, maybe even better than synthetic products. Another challenge is explaining to the customer that the body’s natural cycle needs to be completed for the results to show and that there is no magical shortcut. However, some might get faster results depending on their genes, lifestyle, and external factors. Taking the holistic approach that we do, imposes more challenges due to some customers’ damaging lifestyles. So trying to convince them to change is a challenge sometimes.
How do you keep yourself updated? What are some of the websites or magazines or apps that you subscribe to or read regularly?
Since I’m all about botany, beauty, and lifestyle, I refer to several websites like Formula Botanica, where I got some of my diplomas, School of Natural Skincare website, Chemists Corner, Learning Herbs website, and Mountain Rose Herbs. Also, I follow some hashtags and accounts on social media, get Google article alerts on beauty trends, skincare, and haircare.
How do you track your marketing success?
Since I rely on AI, I track marketing success by sales generated through paid digital marketing. Also, I monitor sales generated by brand ambassadors marketing efforts through each ambassador’s code. As a result, I don’t base my marketing success on the number of new followers I get; instead, I do it based on the number of new customers and sales.
How has covid-19 affected the services of Magnifique Dame so far? Which ones have gotten better and which ones worse?
I started my online store in the middle of the pandemic. Since I’m all about quality and life change, not quick profit, I can’t say that covid-19 affected the business, especially since it has been just one year since I started.
What’s your favorite social network – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter? Why?
I like Snapchat. However, I use Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn for business. They are easier to integrate for free and paid digital marketing, posting pulls, hiring, and engaging with customers.
Tell me about what you’re working on now.
I’m currently working on lots of things for our beautiful divas. First, I’m working with a designer to revamp my website for mobile browsing. I’m also working on some free services that I will offer to our new and existing customers. In addition, I’m working on a free haircare guide as part of a package and many more.
When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
When I suffer a setback, I take a deep breath, stop whatever I’m doing, spend time with my husband and kids, or call my mother to chat about anything. Then, I go back to the issue to find a solution after drinking my “Relaxed Beauty” herbal tea. Sometimes, I would wait for a day or two before rushing back to the issue. I find that helpful and allows me to look at things from a different perspective.
What have you learned most from entrepreneurship?
I learned that it takes more than 40 hours a week of work. Even if you are good at putting business plans, executing them is more complex than you think. I learned that you don’t need a big pocket to become an entrepreneur; starting small and growing big is healthier. It would be best if you were smart about running your finances. For example, I rely on AI to save headcount costs. I hire brand ambassadors to give me the luxury of having a marketing team, a testing panel, and a feedback loop at no charge. While they get to receive free organic & natural products and earn money based on how much sales they generate. Finally, you can’t be successful on your own; family, friends, and community support are essential all the time.
You’re currently writing a book, can you tell us what this will be about?
I’m not writing a book per se, rather a haircare guide. This guide is going to reveal some tricks to haircare that not everyone knows. It will cover different types of products based on their ingredients. It is aimed to educate customers about hair care products and their components. Not only will it educate them about how good my products are, but it will help them while shopping for over-the-counter shampoos, conditioners, serums, and others. And the best part is, they will get it for free as part of a package.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
Join the discussion!