“If you have a passion for your business, although you will go through hard times, the benefits will come back to you threefold.”
Suzana Healy of Scenting International is no stranger to entrepreneurship. In fact, she and her husband share ownership of several different businesses, under their parent company Healy International.
But after connections and customers overseas made numerous requests for quality scenting products, they founded Scenting International. In the ten years since, it has grown into their core business.
Now, Scenting International focuses on scent marketing, helping brands to create unique sensory experiences and evoke emotions. Through customised perfume-quality fragrances and a selection of diffusers, Suzana and her team have provided businesses, homes, and offices with their perfect scent.
To date, Suzana has worked with 137 clients and completed 394 projects. And through word-of-mouth, nearly 90% of her clients are overseas across all of Asia and the Middle East.
As Suzana works toward building her 6-figure business, she has joined the HerBusiness Network for additional clarity, accountability, and community. But in the day-to-day, Suzana does what she loves – working with fragrances, seeing satisfied customers, and having the freedom to live a life filled with good food, wine, and travel.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
I actually don’t have a favourite entrepreneur but I do tend to lean towards entrepreneurs that do good for others whilst growing their businesses. I feel being an entrepreneur comes with great responsibility and if you can support a charity or give back in some way, then the success is that much greater!
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
About 10 years ago my husband had connections overseas and these customers were contacting him asking for his help with good quality scenting products at reasonable prices. After 6 months of being asked for help and constantly saying he was no longer in this industry, we decided to source products and see what it led to which was the creation of Scenting International.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
Working with fragrances feeds my creative side, and who doesn’t like beautiful perfumes! Running my business also allows me flexibility to fulfil some of my passions which is good food & wine, and travel. I am very fortunate that my business allows me the freedom to travel for business and at the same time, there is always some extra time for travelling just for the fun of it!
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- That it won’t be easy.
- Have a business plan.
- You don’t have to do everything, delegate.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Go for it, work hard, stay focused and do something you love. If you have a passion for your business, although you will go through hard times, the benefits will come back to you threefold.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Finance….my background in bookkeeping has been invaluable. Understanding your financial situation is so important, knowing what is coming into the bank but more importantly what is going out.
Also, as I’m quite conservative, I never spent more than I earned, I always ensure there is enough to pay our suppliers and never owed anyone. This was invaluable when we went through slow periods in our business, if we had enough to pay suppliers and bills, then that kept the stress in check.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My IDEAL business is my current business, except with more revenue and little more support! In 2019 my business was heading to a 6 figure business….and then 2020/21 hit!
Getting back up to a 6 figure business would be ideal, the freedom to travel, a couple of contractors for servicing customers in Australia and the ability to get a bookkeeper on board so I could focus fully on the business!
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
There are times when I feel quite isolated so HerBusiness gives me some clarity around what I’m doing, a nudge along when I’m not following through on things I should be doing and also the sense that I’m not alone
