Beyond Titles Podcast – Episode 8

Meet Faridah Ajmal – one of the first Asian women entrepreneurs in the Middle East perfume industry. A visionary businesswoman, creative perfumer, and devoted mother, Faridah has built her legacy in a space long dominated by men, transforming challenges into fragrances of success.

From her early fascination with scents to leading a global perfume brand, Faridah’s story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and purpose. In this candid conversation with our founder, Suraj Nangia, she has shared her personal and professional journey - breaking barriers, balancing family life, and redefining luxury through emotion-driven fragrances.

Stay tuned till the end for a heartfelt message to young women entrepreneurs, her lessons from failure and success, and a fun rapid-fire round revealing the woman behind the fragrance empire.

Visit Faridah Perfumes to see their exclusive collection : https://faridah.com/

Watch the 15 mins(short- version here):   

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Learn how to navigate the perfume business as an Asian woman entrepreneur in the Middle East. See how passion overcomes obstacles.

Starting a business in a male-dominated field requires grit and a clear vision. This conversation explores the journey of building a brand from scratch, focusing on the realities of the perfume industry in the Middle East. We discuss the personal drive required to step out and pursue a passion project, even when the market environment presents significant challenges.

You will hear firsthand about the technical side of scent creation, specifically the trial and error process involved in developing unique fragrances. We also touch upon major setbacks, like navigating the impact of global events on a growing company. Whether you are aspiring to launch your own perfume business or interested in the experiences of Asian women entrepreneurs, this interview offers a candid look at the path to success.

Subscribe for weekly interviews with regional founders, and comment below if you want to know more about the art of professional fragrance development.

00:00 - 00:18 Introduction

0:19 - 02:16 Breaking into a male-dominated perfume industry

02:17 - 03:39 Faridah's Early influences and growing interest in perfumes

03:40 - 06:49 One of the first Asian women entreprenuer in Middle East

06:50 - 07:36 Balancing Family and Starting the Business

07:37 - 08:49 Faridah's Hands-On Approach to Business

08:50 - 09:54 Obstacles faced, especially during COVID-19

09:55 - 13:12 Process of creating fragrances: emotions, trial & error, and testing

13:13 - 15:44 Inspiration and meaning behind the Elements Collection

15:45 - 17:04 Gems & Royal Collections and the stories behind them

17:05 - 20:41 Partnering with IIFA, Bollywood connections, and global brand awareness

20:42 - 22:37 Why her focus is on UAE market despite competition?

22:38 - 24:28 Sustainability, Gen Z preferences, and adapting to trends

24:29 - 26:05 Balancing business with family life and support from children & husband

26:06 - 27:36 Lessons from entrepreneurship: patience, resilience, and madness for passion

27:37 - 29:26 Creating fragrances for different markets & cultural preferences

29:27 - 31:50 AI Technology, failure & learning

31:51 - 33:47 Advice to young women in the Middle East

33:48 - 39:01 Philanthropy: supporting special needs children and giving back to society

39:02 - 44:43 Message on empathy, mental health, and importance of small acts of kindness

44:44 - 50:28 Rapid fire with Faridah Ajmal

50:29 - 50:53 Outro