WORKAHOLIC // OLO FRAGRANCE // ESSENTIAL OILS HAND MADE
The first time my scent receptors got a hold of OLO oils, I felt like I discovered a secret batch of something that I had to hoard. I felt like this smell had to be mine and all mine. The beauty of essential oil scents is that it harmonizes with your own body chemistry and creates a scent all your own. So in a way, it's still very personal. Anyone who has asked me in the past what scent I am wearing and who recognizes the name OLO instantly seems to be put in a secret society of the know. Though, this society is growing and growing every day, and rightfully so...
Heather Sielaff has mastered the scents of what I would imagine whiskey, leather, tobacco, moss, and trees would smell like but in a way that seems to lure man, woman, and child in your direction. Her mixtures have inspired me to begin creating my own mixtures, which has opened my world to healing scents, though none of them smell as great as my staple OLO scent (I am keeping the specific name to myself for good reason). Heather gave us a viewing of her space and atmosphere. It is as perfect and relaxing as I could have imagined.
What do you do?
I am a perfumer. I am the founder and owner of OLO Fragrance.
How did you get to where you are now? What made you turn to this direction?
I was originally a Licensed Neuromuscular Massage Therapist and Gyrotonic Instructor. I was required to take continued education to update my license and aromatherapy was one of the certifications I took. I used essential oils for over a decade before the thought occurred to me to make perfume. I was just looking for a hobby and it turned into a business six months later.
Was this always your dream job?
Yes, kind of. I’ve always worked for myself. This is ideal because I get to create fragrance blends, design packaging, plan events, etc.
How much of the week is work, how much is play?
I’d say 75% of my week is work. But, my work is fun so I guess it could be considered 100% play. I like to work so I’m happiest getting things done.
How do you find your inspiration and do you find it easy to stay organized?
Nature is definitely an inspiration. I can drive any direction outside of Portland and be in some mythical looking forest or gorge in less than an hour. It’s my routine to go somewhere outside of the city at least once a week just to smell the ocean or walk through the trees. It’s cleansing. Music, art, and people also inspire me. Little moments everyday are what stick with me. A mood created having a meal with friends or listening to a stranger sing on the bus are what I live for. I am very organized with how I schedule my time. My perfume blending process is a different story! I can be very sporadic with documentation on blends in the production phase.
How important is your work, and do you feel it defines you?
My work is incredibly important to me. It is how I express myself creatively and it is also my livelihood. I try to stay true to my intuition when formulating a new blend. I don’t ever want to just give in and make things just for the money. I want to maintain integrity and I think that’s how OLO defines me.
What has been the most exciting thing you have done with your work, and what is a dream situation you’d like to find yourself in?
The excitement level of perfume making stays pretty mellow, at least for me. I think the most exciting thing that’s happened is receiving a ‘fan letter’ from one of my favorite musicians letting me know he loves OLO. I was pretty stoked about that. My dream situation is to streamline this process well enough that I spend less time in production and have more time to work on new projects.
How do you define your personal style, work clothing, etc.
My personal style is all black or grey, soft and simple. I get oil everywhere so I tend to wear throwaway clothes when I work. We are actually having OLO work jackets made by Portland Garment Factory so that I don’t look a hot mess at the shop.
What’s something someone may not know about you?
I have an incredibly foul mouth. I swear profusely. I guess my friends know this but I doubt my customers do.
Milk Milk Lemonade/OLO Fragrance Studio is located at 1407 SE Belmont St. Portland, OR 97214
We are open when we are open. Hours are posted daily on Twitter
Website
Twitter
http://milkmilklemonade.virb.com/