2024: Long Year, Steady Climb
It was a long haul — and I think many people will say the same about 2024. There was uncertainty, a rough first half, but somewhere mid‑year we found our groove. Momentum returned. By summer we felt re‑energized, and that carried us through some amazing moments.
We’re looking ahead to 2025 with optimism and gratitude.
Eight Years and Counting — A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Founded on January 17, 2017, Aroma Retail has now marked its eighth year in business. What started as a side‑hustle while juggling other jobs has transformed into a full‑blown operation with a committed team and hundreds of thousands of customers.
It’s humbling to see how far we’ve come.
People Over Products: Why Our Team Matters
One of the biggest reasons we’ve grown is the people behind the scenes. Mike joined in late 2019 — his “upside‑down Zoom interview” is still legendary. 😂 But he wasn’t just another marketing hire. He had the full skill set we needed long-term: photography, design, brand strategy, PR, and tech chops.
Cristina often says: “We didn’t just hire talent — we hired for culture.” That intentional approach helped us build a team we’re proud of. On the holiday party night, I told everyone: there isn’t a single person I’d replace if I could. That’s rare for a 30‑person company.
We had fun this year: holiday parties, our annual “Smelly Awards,” laughs, failures, victories — and through it all, a sense of family. Some former employees moved on for good reasons — we still appreciate them. Others stick around. Every one helped build this.
Customers: The Heartbeat of What We Do
Aroma Retail doesn’t exist without you — our customers. We have nearly 100,000 folks who use our scents at least once or twice a year. That’s humbling. That’s responsibility.
You trust us to scent your homes, your businesses, your memories. That trust isn’t taken lightly.
We’re grateful for the feedback, the referrals, the stories, the repeat business. You made 2024 possible.
2024 Highlights: Progress, Products & Rediscovery
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We revamped the Aroma Retail app — now stable, responsive, and reliable. Big lift, but worth it.
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We shipped thousands of orders (especially during Black‑Friday / Cyber‑Monday) with faster turnaround than ever.
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We refreshed our fragrance library — giving new attention to “hidden gem” scents and boosting our catalog’s variety.
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We laid the groundwork for a new product launch in 2025 — not a replacement, but an addition, meant to give even more ways to fragrance your space.
Featured scents that gained traction this year:
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La Grande Rouge — a luxe fragrance that resonated big.
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Arancia — a citrus‑forward blend inspired by the Venetian.
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Focus — a men’s‑cologne‑style scent with a nostalgic vibe.
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Energy — fresh eucalyptus + sea salt + lotus, a boost of vitality.
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Warm Cozy Hug — comfort‑scent with chamomile and oatmilk.
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Confidence — bold, juicy, energizing — perfect for fresh starts.
Whether you want calm, energy, nostalgia, or luxury — we’ve got a scent for your mood.
Final Notes: Family, Fun & Forward
Yes — the episode ends with jokes (about bangs, about chairs, about holiday party mishaps), but also with sincerity. We’re not just colleagues — we’re a family.
As we wrap up 2024:
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Thank you to our customers — you make this possible.
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Thank you to the team — you show up, day in and day out.
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Thank you to this community — for smelling better, living better, and growing with us.
Here’s to 2025. New goals. New oils. New memories. Champagne (virtual, for now).
I’m Jim Reding, The Scenting Guy. With Cristina Reding, and Mike Hewitt. Thank you. Signing off from the Smelly Bar.
Smell you later, alligator. Go fragrance yourself.
