‘My first perfume was inspired by a female Arctic explorer’
Imogen Russon-taylor founded Scotland’s first fragrance house, Kingdom Scotland. She has three children – Sophia, 15, Milo, 11, Ruben, nine – and lives in Edinburgh.
THE IDEA
When my children were small, I spent hours in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, in all seasons. I loved breathing in the garden’s natural scents and I began to wonder whether Scotland had a fragrance house. At the time I worked in the whisky industry, so was familiar with the power of aroma and of Scottish heritage brands. I couldn’t think of a single Scottish perfume brand, so the seed of the idea to start my own germinated then.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
In 2016, my youngest, Ruben, started preschool, which gave me space to set up the business. By then I had left my job (as head of global communications for luxury brand LVMH) and was freelancing in PR. I was accepted for a business programme run by RBS to assist start-ups, and I learnt so much from the mentors, advisors and other entrepreneurs. My start-up costs came from savings and support from Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway and Scotedge. Initially I thought I’d blend my own perfume, but realised I needed a classically trained perfumer. To develop the brand, I worked with the University of St Andrews’ history department. Trawling through the National Archives, we could not find a Scottish fragrance house, so I knew I was founding the first! I searched the archives at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to discover Scottish planthunters. My first fragrance, Albaura, was inspired by Isobel Wylie Hutchison, a Scottish botanist and Arctic explorer who brought back the yellow Arctic poppy.
BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT
By 2018 I had developed my perfume brand – Kingdom Scotland. It was like having a fourth baby and the pursuit of everything I love, encapsulating Scotland’s natural beauty. But I had no idea whether it would work. I set up a meeting with Harvey Nichols for feedback and to my delight they said, ‘We love it! When can we stock it?’
STEEPEST LEARNING CURVE
Understanding the resilience and persistence you need to run your own business; it’s like a roller coaster.
WHERE I AM NOW
I have had some amazing success, such as being approached by Gleneagles hotel and Les Senteurs perfumery to stock my brand. I’ve also worked with events such as the BAFTAS. In 2019, I was nominated for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ by the Fragrance Foundation (the industry body). This year I was nominated for ‘Best Innovation in Fragrance’ for Kingdom Botanica, a fragrance that commemorates the 350th anniversary of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. There is so much demand internationally, so I’m focusing on exports.
TOP TIP Research everything – the market, the consumer, how to build your brand and scale up, what your story is.
BUSINESS BREAKDOWN
✢ Start-up costs: Around £25,000, comprising…
Product development (including blending and ingredients), plus design, branding, marketing and website
✢ Projected turnover 2021-22: £150,000 kingdomscotland.com