Personalized Perfumer, Micronesia
Yosh is a multi-layered wonder woman I had a pleasure of meeting during an Offshore Odysseys trip in the 15 foot waves in the Pacific. Yosh has managed to slay me with positive energy, deep intuition of others as well as her fine tuned olfactory senses (on full display in her business venture at www.eaudeyosh.com)
1. Name:
Yosh Han
2. Where is your hometown?
Los Angeles, CA
3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation?
Perfumer, Entrepreneur, Clairvoyant, Vortex Hunter
4. What was the journey like to get where you are (career wise)?
I moved to Aspen, Colorado on a whim in 1994 with my best friend from college. I was wandering around town when I felt the urge to walk into a beautiful boutique with glass bottles lined on the wall. Before I knew what kind of shop it was, I told the manager that I felt destined to work there. He told me they were not hiring. I said that I would come back the next day. He said they weren’t hiring, at all. I told him that I heard voices that told me to go in. The owner heard us talking and came out from the back office. I repeated what I told the manager, and luckily for me, the owner took a chance and hired me without knowing my credentials. In the end, I learned that it was a perfumery, a field I knew nothing about. But I started the next day and learned all about creating and designing fragrances. I did that for a number of years before moving to Europe and then eventually back to California and ended up in San Francisco. It wasn’t until 2004 until I would start my company.
5. When was the mental shift to start the journey?
Before I started my business, I was actually working at a non-profit writing center for students ages 8-18 at 826 Valencia, founded by the writer, Dave Eggers. I was officially, the Purveyor of Pirate Supplies, selling eye patches, glass eyes and peg legs. I thought that it would be fun to make Pirate Perfumes because pirates were stinky people! I had no idea whether people would find these pirate perfumes interesting or not. Buccaneer and Swashbuckler sold quite well. What happened next surprised me - many artists learned about these fragrances and invited me to collaborate on creative projects with them. I was suddenly back in the fragrance game. I decided in 2004 to leave my pirating life and go into perfumery full time.
6. Biggest accomplishment since making the (physical/mental) move?
I won the Golden Pear award in 2014 from the Institute of Arts and Olfaction for my men’s fragrance, König, which means King in German. It was a double blind juried competition and I feel such an honor to be recognized for my artistry. This fragrance is sold at some of the most exclusive retailers in the world like Barneys New York, Liberty London and Isetan Tokyo.
7. What was biggest disappointment and plan to overcome it?
As an entrepreneur, one faces potential disasters often. I once lost two pallets of components - never to be recovered. This was right before holiday season. It was a complete nightmare and it took me many months of negotiating with the shippers and insurance agencies to recoup my loss and to start the process over again to remake my products.
8. Advice for other women?
Do NOT give up - especially when it feels like you’re all alone and about to fail. This is where you find your deep courage!
9. Where in the world do you feel “tallest”?
I feel “tallest” when I’m in my creative flow. Everything is spontaneous and glorious.
10. What is the future goal/challenge (career goals in 5-10 years)?
I am moving towards the intuitive space more and more. I feel called to serve my highest purpose which is the vibrational energy work. When I started my business back in 2004, people did not know what chakras or auras were. Now, people are really hungry for intuitive tools. I’m very excited for this next venture.
11. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?
I have so many fears but there’s nothing more exhilarating than conquering them!
12. What inspires you?
Nature, energy, food, synchronicity and fun times.
13. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)
www.eaudeyosh.com @eaudeyosh