Mathilde Heather is one of those successful women who followed the path to her dream profession to become a professional hairstylist & color technician. 2.5 years ago Mathilde and her twin sister Martha opened The Suite (a beauty therapist by trade), both started to build their professional career and worked years to develop skills as high-quality hair stylists & colorists. Today, the sisters own a business with 18 high skilled team members.
”The Suite (hair & beauty) was a dream of ours from childhood & being twins we are at an advantage as we are on the same wavelength, we speak the same language, bring the same input but double the work. We wanted to create a kind & open workspace for like-minded people in our industry to thrive. We both love the training, guiding and keeping them smiling! Martha is a beautician & I am a hairstylist by trade. We realised that our city, Bath, had no salons on the high street that combined both hair and beauty equally 50/50. So we set our focus on creating this vision. Once we had built up our trades & gained a strong following, we joined forces & opened big & beautiful premises together to grow the hair & beauty team we have today.”
What skills should the education system be promoting to the next generation?
The next generation will not know a life without social media, speedy wifi or modern tools & equipment. It is a world of ‘one-click it’s done’ but I’m sure my fellow business owners will relate, a social post does not pay the bills. As wonderful as the new things our modern world offers I truly believe we should be teaching & promoting in schools ‘real-life lessons’ e.g what is a tax bill? What is self-employment? The realities of work pressures & training to get there, money management or the importance of work ethic. In a world full of instant gratification we owe it to the young to teach them that real life is not.
When do you think someone should start thinking of starting their own business? When is the right moment?
I don’t feel there’s a ‘right’ time, however, I do believe there could be a wrong time. Opening a successful business will absolutely consume your life, money, & body (mentally and physically). Climates are constantly changing so you have to be consistent. You have to dedicate fully to the cause. When you are ready and prepared to do so, then that is your time.
What do you think are the most important qualities for success in business?
There are many qualities. You don’t have to be the most confident person in the world but you do need a certain level of gumption. The most important, in my opinion, is to listen and be teachable. Everyone you will meet knows something you don’t so apply that & remain open to new ways & different perspectives. Business is a constant learning curve. I recommend talking to other business owners and absorb as much information as possible.
How do you balance work and life? Can you tell us how?
It took us a long time to get balance. This comes with the territory. However, after a certain amount of time, you will get into a good pace. Creating a balance is very important. You are no good to anyone if you’re working on a business burnout. We do this by prioritising our time management. Not procrastinating on your work dedicated days. I write a jobs list starting with the most important. Ticking off the full list by the end of the day. This will create balance.
Any great story from a customer?
This is a hard question because the best part of my career is I’ve grown up with my clients, so there are many stories & tales, I could write a book! I’ve been on their 1st dates, celebrated their promotions, marriages, children, & sadly mourned deaths with them. I’m privileged to go on their journeys with them. Going through all that with them is incredible.
Since launch, what has worked to attract new customers?
A consistently high standard of service will lead to good word of mouth. This has proven to be the most effective technique to gain new clients that visit us. Expanding onto another floor, creating more treatment rooms, has enabled us to offer more & combine treatments on our menu, which led to the ‘talk of the town’. We have combined keeping up with what and how our industry is changing & moving, tailoring the service to the guests’ needs.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Don’t be too hard on yourself, and don’t expect success straight away. It takes time and lots of hard work to build your brand. Stay consistent. It’s an everyday hustle. Be prepared for the unexpected, there is so much more to business that you just don’t think about. The ‘behind the scenes’ part has a lot more to it than you think. It’s not just about what you see on Instagram. You will have to step out of your comfort zone. Remember to stay humble.
What traits do you look for when building a team?
We look for a good solid work ethic, consistency and willingness to learn & grow. People who share our values is the most important trait. We are not interested in high egos or arrogance.
When scaling a company, what do you focus on first and why? How do you determine the best timing for scaling?
My biggest tip on this would be to work out your ‘formula’ what sells the best? What do your customers want most? Once you have found that. Scale that. Make your formula big. Then once this is working consistently, look to start adding to that formula.
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![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)
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