Where are you from and does that affect your work? I live in Mariposa, CA, a foothill town in the Sierra Nevada, right along the boundary of Yosemite National Park. This landscape shapes everything I do. The seasons here are dramatic—summers and autumns bring fire and renewal, winters bring rain, snow and rockfall, and spring is an explosion of wildflowers and rushing rivers. Living in this kind of environment has taught me that beauty isn’t something static; it’s born of change, cycles, and resilience. The mountains and rivers are my teachers, and every perfume or hydrosol I create carries their imprint.
How did you get your start? I’ve always been drawn to plants—their beauty, their fragrance, and the way they connect us to something beyond words. When I became a mother in 2009, I turned to herbalism and aromatherapy as a way to care for my family naturally. I studied under Jade Shutes at the School for Aromatic Studies, and what began as a personal interest soon grew into a lifelong path.
That curiosity eventually led me into gardening and distillation then, later, into the world of natural perfumery. My first perfume class was in 2019 with the late Jeanne Rose in her San Francisco home, followed by studies with Mandy Aftel. With my background in aromatherapy, I was captivated by the expanded palette perfumery offered and enchanted by the artistry of scent itself.
During the pandemic, I immersed myself in hundreds of oils—training my nose, watching how each one evolved, and noting the emotions and memories they stirred. In building this personal “scent library,” I came to see just how deeply smell connects to the limbic system, where memory, emotion, instinct, and intuition live. That study unlocked something profound—my intuition sharpened, my perspective shifted, and I began experiencing the world in an entirely new way.
That was the turning point: I realized scent isn’t just about smelling good. It goes straight to the heart of who we are—able to shift mood, awaken memory, expand awareness, and spark transformation.
Resonance Perfumery was born out of more than 14 years of study and personal evolution.
What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process? Patience. Plants move on their own timeline, and perfumes are the same way. Some blends come together quickly, while others can take months—or even years—to find their true harmony. My role is to listen, to wait, and to let the materials show me when they’re ready. It’s a constant practice in surrender and trust.
Radiance
What is your favorite item that you have created and why? Radiance, my first perfume, will always be my favorite. It came together so effortlessly and has become the one I wear most. Bright with citrus, elegant with neroli, and softened by botanical musk, it feels like stepping into your own golden hour. For me, Radiance is a reminder that we all carry an inner light—we just need a little help remembering it.
What do you love most about Pasadena? What I love about Pasadena is its balance between heritage and innovation—it feels a lot like Resonance in that way. The city honors its roots through its gardens, architecture, and historic charm, but it also has this fresh, creative energy that celebrates new ideas and artistry. For me, that mix is inspiring. It’s the perfect backdrop for bringing makers, seekers, and community together.
What is a fun fact about yourself that others may not expect? Something people are often surprised to learn is that I’m also a Master in Intuition Medicine®. That means I’ve trained to read and understand subtle energy—like energy literacy. This work allows me to sense the vibrational language of plants and the world around me, which directly influences how I create perfumes. I don’t just build them as fragrances, but as companions that can support emotional and energetic balance.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years, I see Resonance Perfumery blossoming into a full apothecary studio—a space where people can explore not just perfumes, but the living waters of plants, workshops, and rituals designed to reconnect us with ourselves and with the Earth. My hope is for Resonance to be both a perfume house and a sanctuary for healing, community, and creative alchemy.
Any advice for someone just starting off on their own?
Trust your own pace. It’s easy to feel pressure to be everywhere at once, but the most authentic work comes when you slow down and really listen—to yourself, to your craft, and to what feels aligned. Growth that’s steady and rooted in authenticity will last far longer than growth that’s rushed.
Anything special that you would like to share? This November’s fair will be my Los Angeles debut, and I’m so excited to share my perfumes and freshly distilled hydrosols with this community. Each bottle is created as more than a fragrance—it’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and come back into resonance with yourself and the natural world.
We are so excited to smell everything so soon!
Find Resonance Perfumery at Jackalope Pasadena on November 15th & 16th.
Website: www.resonanceperfumery.com
Instagram: @resonanceperfumery