Haifa Blanchard always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but her career in the corporate world took precedence over it. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in accounting and was recruited on campus to work for one of the top accounting firms worldwide. She started her career in audit before landing her dream job as the Director of Finance & Business Operations at a nonprofit organization in Miami, FL. While thriving in her career, she felt a calling to write the book that she had planned to work on during retirement and fulfill her desire to help and inspire others.
Apprehensive about the impact of these new endeavors on the successful career she had built thus far and the trajectory she was on, Haifa ignored the ideas that would come to her mind. After a year of weighing the pros and cons, she decided to welcome the opportunities that were on her way and allow herself to grow professionally and personally. She let go of the limiting belief that she could not have the best of both worlds- a promising career while becoming an entrepreneur.
In 2019, Haifa published her first book, Aim Higher: Turning the Storms of My Past into My Biggest Accomplishments, an inspiring memoir and compelling self-help book. Ever since, she has been establishing herself as a spiritual and self-development author and working on different projects while thriving in her corporate career. She has learned that having a corporate job and being an entrepreneur are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, navigating both worlds can bring even more success.
Briefly, what led up to this book?
A near-death experience at 8 years-old and various challenges had a negative impact on my faith and outlook on life. After years of being unable to cope with these challenges, I hit rock bottom at 27 and was faced with a choice: living a downtrodden life and feeling like a victim or becoming the person I always knew myself to be and reaching for the life I deserved. I chose the latter and went on a transformational journey that I share in Aim Higher.
What drove you to write a memoir?
I wrote Aim Higher to inspire others to discover their inner power to transform themselves and live to their fullest potential. I understand first hand how hard it is to shift your life around when you have been hit too many times and you start thinking that you are meant to live a defeated life. I hope that people will find themselves in my story and understand that if I could change it around, so can they.
What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?
There are many lessons in the book, but the most important one is a reminder that regardless of what happened to you and your past or present circumstances, you have the power to turn your life around for the better.
How do you deal with less good days?
I used to feel bad for feeling bad, but I learned to accept that not every day will be great. On less good days, I always go back to the 2 choices at hand: staying in the funk and not feeling great or finding the brighter side of things and moving forward. Realizing that my options are very limited and having the power to choose lift my spirit right away. However, when the day is really not going well, I go to bed early, knowing that no matter what is going on, tomorrow is a new day and I get to choose again.
How do you turn storms into accomplishments?
Turning storms into accomplishments is about making something good and meaningful out of an unfortunate experience. It takes a lot of inner strength and work, but it is achievable when you acquire a positive mindset, understand that you are the architect of your life, and know that everything happens for your greater good. You find the wisdom and humility to accept what happened, learn from it, and thrive because of it.
Explain to us what do you mean by navigating the corporate and entrepreneurship worlds?
Navigating the corporate and entrepreneurship worlds is about being part of each and witnessing how the experiences that they bring enrich each other. I have had a corporate job since I graduated college, but I recently joined the entrepreneurship world when pursuing a passion that turned into a business. At first, I was apprehensive about taking up this opportunity, but I am pleasantly surprised to notice the positive impact it has had on my corporate career. I have learned a lot on this journey and developed new skills that I did not necessarily need in a career in accounting. I feel that I am becoming a better businesswoman every day.
How do you balance work and life?
It can be challenging to balance work and life, especially for an entrepreneur, when the lines are blurred. However, I have learned a long time ago that having balance doesn’t mean that both areas are equally balanced. It is a continuous give and take, and I am fine with that. I also don’t compartmentalize the different facets of my life, rather I see them as a lifestyle. I prefer being present and flexible than reaching for balance.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
Don’t wait until you are ready to start; otherwise, it may never happen. Start small and build from there. Also, focus on one thing, especially at the beginning, and do it well. Find your niche, understand the market you serve, and always bring value. Being authentic in your delivery is also very important. This will help to set you apart from the competition.
Any advice for entrepreneurs on moving beyond a failure?
Failure is inevitable, and you must overcome the fear of failure if you want to achieve anything in life. I believe that failure is a great teacher, and in order to move beyond it, you have to change your mindset about it. Failure doesn’t mean that it is time to give up. It can be a reminder to take a step back, figure out what went wrong, and make necessary changes.
Share with us some tips for women who are in doubt of leaving their secure job and starting their own business.
There is always an element of fear when it comes to doing something new. That said, it should not stop you from building your own business. I am a true believer in following your instincts and avoiding a life of regrets, but you must take a calculated risk. A secure job should be seen as a security blanket while you are testing the waters and building your business. Most businesses are not an overnight success, so keep your job as long as you need. When the business is generating a steady flow of income and is financially stable, then, it may be time to consider leaving your job.
Get your Aim Higher: Turning the Storms of My Past into My Biggest Accomplishments
![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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