Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Wrede.
Kris, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started in 1990, seems like an eternity! Out of a bad situation came my life’s passion. I was in a horrible car accident in 1990 and my car was totaled, and I was badly injured. I tried so many things to help the pain, and a friend in Chicago where I lived at the time suggested acupuncture. I resisted, but finally went into Dr. Dan Plovanich and he was a miracle worker. He actually gave me a book on aromatherapy by Robert Tisserand called ‘The Art of Aromatherapy’, and it rocked my world. To this day I am so grateful, and I now know Robert.
Upon reading the book I started studying aromatherapy. In 1990 there was no internet, so it was challenging to say the least! I found a home study course in a publication called The Aromatic Thymes, published by my now dear friend Pam Parsons. After three years of studying, I started Kismet Potions, and 27 years later I am just as enthralled by the field as I was back then. I began studying aromatherapy, and then I went to every seminar I could all over the U.S. and also became a natural perfumer.
I started out on my bike and the ‘L’, with a little case and a backpack going door to door to sell my products. I held classes for $5.00 and no one knew what aromatherapy was, so at times it was a big challenge. Five years later I was in Whole Foods! My story would not be complete without mentioning I taught at The Chicago College of Healing Arts for many years and met so many insanely cool people there… Many whom I am still friends with. Now I still specialize in perfumery, love potions and skincare. I also do aromatic and beauty/health writing, blog posts, and product development for many interesting companies in Colorado and all over the U.S.
Has it been a smooth road?
Ha! As they say, adversity makes you stronger. You really have to have a lot of grit and fortitude to keep positive. Many times I have thought about quitting, but I just love it way too much. As a business owner, I need to reinvent myself just about every day. So many bumps and so many amazing things have happened. I have had so many rejections, so many days I wanted to do something else that was easier.
I did a big event years ago for W magazine and another for Treasure Island Casino in Las Vegas as well… Those are some of the highlights. However, it is the small victories that stand out the most. I remember I was teaching a skincare class in Chicago about 20 some years ago, and an extraordinary young man came into the class with really horrible cystic acne, and he was so sweet and timid. I helped him with a skincare regimen in the class and I really was confident it would help. A few months later he came into the store, and I did not recognize him. I was in tears I was so happy. He looked sensational! He was coming back in to get more of the products, they had worked so well for him. I still get comments on LinkedIn and other places from the people I have taught, and they tell me they still use the techniques they learned in my classes. That gives me the greatest joy and that is why I have kept going for 27 years.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I source my own essential oils and only get oils that are organic, wild-harvested and non-sprayed. That purity makes for a cleaner and more efficacious product. It does set me apart, as many companies use synthetic oils which I am allergic to. I just will not do that, as the consequences for the planet are staggering. For some reason, most of my suppliers are small family-run businesses, and that gives me great pride too. The majority of my sources practice Fair Trade with their employees, even though the industry is too small to have that as a requirement.
I do custom perfume, skincare and love potion consultations at my home office, or I can come to your home or business. I love the intimate nature of getting to know a person or a group, and what they want in a custom product. I also do custom product development for many different types of companies including skin and body care, perfume, spas, CBD and just about any other type of companies that needs custom products. I love catering to a diverse audience, it keeps me motivated!
I am also doing classes for adults through Airbnb experience, and I do classes for all ages including children. It is so cute to see how they react when they create their own personal perfume.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like Denver is a hotbed of ingenuity and creativity in so many areas. There are so many startups and incredibly innovative people, ideas and companies. I think this is a phenomenal place to start for a newbie. If I was to cite some areas that need improving, I would say we need to have more groups like Naturally Boulder. It is a bit challenging to break into some markets, and so more inclusive and varied groups would be most welcome.
It would be an interesting concept for all types of businesses to incorporate more diverse and somewhat varied ideas into their corporate structure. Why not have a one-hour scent making workshop to make a stress relief blend, a happy juice or a perfume or cologne? I ask… What sorts of cool and ingenious ideas could come stem from giving your team the chance to just create and go a little (or a LOT!) wild? I dare you to try!
Pricing:
- Essential oils and absolutes and body products from $10.00 and up
- Private consults for product development and perfumes $250.00 and up
Contact Info:
- Address: 804 Summer Hawk Drive
Longmont, CO. - Website: kismetpotions.com
- Phone: 505-231-5257
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kismetpotions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KismetPotions/
- Yelp: https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1220114
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQU8Snq5ffzUNVdxmafM1UQ?
Image Credit:
Mark Ivins
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