SIGNATURE SCENT: UNVEILING THE ABUNDANCE BLEND

I will never forget the smell of the La Jolla Marriott.  I was still new in the industry and broadening my horizons by learning to become what I now call an Advice-Based Financial Advisor.  That time in my life was filled with hope and possibility. 

It turns out that Marriott had partnered with Bath & Body Works for aromatherapy products that were offered in the rooms and throughout the hotel.  For years afterward, every time I smelled that specific scent, I felt young, energetic and full of promise.  My memory of this time and the scent that evokes it is not an accident.  It is a deliberate strategy that brands use to differentiate themselves called olfactory branding and it is backed by science.  

According to the Harvard Business Review "Scented environments have been shown to reduce typos made by office workers; improve the perception of product quality; increase purchase intent, average unit sales, and duration of a retail visit or stay among consumers; and boost the willingness of consumers to pay more for a product."

If proactively scented environments make us more memorable, our staff more productive and clients more likely to take action, why don't we already have an olfactory branding strategy!? 

It took me over a decade to nail it down, but now I do!  After years of searching for the perfect scent for LOTUS Financial Partners, I worked with a formulator to blend my own signature scent.  I combined my (scent) vision with the expertise of the blender to come up with something that is unique to us and symbolizes the work that we do with our clients.

The Abundance Blend primary components and meanings:

Spearmint- Financial prosperity and wisdom.

Eucalyptus- Mental clarity and Focus.

Geranium- Transformation and personal growth.

Rose- Inner reflection and connection and rose happens to be a symbol associated with the goddess Isis (the original inspiration for our name).  

I named our signature scent the Abundance Blend and designed it to feel like a welcoming spa, without being medicinal in nature.  We have formulated it into a series of products (diffuser oil, lotion, soap, candles and bath bombs) that we will use around the office and give as new client and referral gifts.

My goal is that our clients associate the Abundance Blend with the clarity that our process provides them as we empower them to envision a brighter future and partner with them to create that reality.

Scents are very personal. Our Abundance Blend may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it will be memorable. And in the marketplace of ideas, being memorable is the key to deeper relationships, more referrals and hopefully enhanced client success!

If you think this is pretty cool, but have no idea where to begin, I have good news for you!  I talked with the woman who helped us create the Abundance Blend and our product line, Julie Godard of Purple Fence Farms, and she is open to working with advisors anywhere in the country to create their own signature scent.  If you would like to work with her, she will charge a nominal consulting fee to create the blend, and you will be amazed at how reasonably priced everything is when you get a wholesale discount!

In case you are wondering whether it is worth it or not, the first client I gave a bottle of lotion to asked for 8 more bottles to give as gifts to her friends.  She happens to be one of my largest clients and will be handing out a "promotional item" to all of her friends.  That would never have happened with conventionally branded tchotchkes!

We are always talking about how to enhance the client experience.  I encourage you to think beyond throwing your logo on mugs and cheap pens and create something truly unique and memorable for your clients!

I hope this serves you!

-Lucila