Many fashionable young people like perfume, but few have discovered the business opportunity within - making money by tapping into people's love for perfume. However, there is now such a person who not only opened a "perfume bar" in Chongqing but also fully utilized people's preference for "leaving a scent." By adding fragrance to clothing, ceramics, hotels, and more, she has been raking in profits daily, filling her coffers to the brim.
This trailblazing woman, Luo Manli, born in an ordinary family in Chongqing, was 35 years old at the time. After graduating from high school in 1985, she began working at a restaurant in Chongqing. Back then, Luo Manli handled miscellaneous tasks such as washing vegetables, dishes, and cleaning. She would wake up before dawn and work until after 10 PM.
Despite the tough conditions, Luo Manli was ambitious and refused to be content with menial labor forever. Seeking a way out, she decided to learn a skill. During her spare time while doing odd jobs, she studied how to mix seasonings. Although initially, her creations differed significantly in quality from those of the boss, she eventually became dedicated to mastering seasoning preparation.
After gaining expertise in seasoning and accumulating some business experience, Luo Manli rented a small storefront near her home and opened "Manli Noodle Shop." Despite its modest size of only seven square meters, it was clean and hygienic. Her exceptional rendition of Chongqing's spicy and numbing flavors quickly gained popularity among the local populace, including the "bangbang army," leading to monthly incomes exceeding one thousand yuan—a significant sum at that time.
As her noodle shop flourished and underwent renovations, Luo Manli sought even greater opportunities. However, in 1990, due to urban redevelopment, her noodle shop was demolished. Undeterred, she rented another storefront and tried selling cosmetics, though this venture did not match her previous success. In 1992, after conducting market research, Luo Manli pivoted to the fashion industry, where she remained for a decade. Although these ten years did not yield substantial profits, they honed her keen market insight.
In 2001, when Nanbin Road Commercial Street in Chongqing was completed and officially opened for leasing, Luo Manli saw an opportunity. Despite being a prime location with limited foot traffic at the time, she believed Nanbin Road would flourish and decided to invest there.
What to invest in? Luo Manli pondered deeply. While most investors chose food and beverage or leisure projects, Luo Manli felt these traditional options were too competitive. She wanted something fresh and trendy yet profitable.
Luo Manli discussed her ideas with friends, all of whom agreed that the concept was innovative and promising. After extensive online research on perfumes and their market potential, Luo Manli decided to open a "perfume bar."
In early 2002, Luo Manli leased a 100-square-meter storefront on Nanbin Road for an annual rent of over 100,000 yuan, becoming the first in the country to open a "perfume bar." The interior was designed to be warm and harmonious, filled with various perfume samples, exuding enticing scents. Targeting younger customers, the bar allowed patrons to drink tea, chat, and enjoy aromatherapy.
Additionally, the bar offered over a hundred types of fragrance oils and perfume ingredients, enabling customers to create thousands of unique scents. Patrons could either smell pre-mixed fragrances or try mixing their own. Simply spraying the chosen perfume onto test paper placed inside a tall glass allowed for an immersive aromatic experience.
Upon opening, Luo Manli's "perfume bar" attracted a flood of curious young people eager to explore its unique ambiance. On the first day alone, revenue exceeded 5,000 yuan, greatly boosting Luo Manli's enthusiasm.
Recognizing that some visitors lacked knowledge about suitable fragrances, Luo Manli enthusiastically guided them, recommending specific scents based on personality traits and occasions.
However, after an initial period of success, business started to decline. Upon consulting regular customers, Luo Manli learned that limited awareness and monotonous offerings were the culprits. Determined to revamp her strategy, she invested in advertising to increase visibility and diversified her services.
To expand her influence, Luo Manli advertised extensively in local media, drawing large crowds and establishing overnight fame for her "perfume bar."
Simultaneously, Luo Manli discovered an additional business opportunity—adding fragrances to clothing. She purchased a fragrance machine from a Beijing-based tech company and stocked various scents like osmanthus, rose, lemon, and international blends. Offering this service for 10 yuan per item drew many customers to her "perfume bar."
Buoyed by renewed interest, Luo Manli introduced a "free smelling" campaign, attracting patrons with the allure of fragrances before promoting beverages and meals. This approach made the "perfume bar" a trendy destination for young people seeking new lifestyle experiences.
To maintain customer loyalty and attract new patrons, Luo Manli implemented a membership system offering an 80% discount on all purchases. These efforts propelled monthly revenues past 100,000 yuan.
Expanding her target audience, Luo Manli extended special discounts to university students, further enhancing her establishment's reputation and appeal. With growing student patronage, she hired a professor from Sichuan Fine Arts Institute to redesign the bar, creating a cultural atmosphere through artful decor and lighting.
Realizing the vast potential of fragrance applications across industries, Luo Manli collaborated with a Beijing tech company to supply fragrance machines and ingredients wholesale. Equipping dry cleaners, car washes, and other businesses with these tools expanded her market reach significantly.
With timely service and excellent after-sales support, Luo Manli cultivated strong relationships with clients, ensuring steady business growth. Her entrepreneurial strategies resonated well, leading to skyrocketing daily revenues nearing 10,000 yuan.
To accommodate increasing demand, Luo Manli expanded operations, leasing adjacent space to create a combined "fragrance bar" and "tea lounge," offering socializing, dining, and aromatic experiences. Leveraging the scenic view overlooking the Yangtze River, this new venue quickly became popular.
The "fragrance menu" offering meal suggestions based on scents proved particularly successful, with recommendations like pairing woodsy scents with Italian steak.
Looking ahead, Luo Manli plans to establish a chain of "perfume bars" nationwide, promoting this fashionable lifestyle to more young people.
Luo Manli's success lies in fostering a pure "perfume culture" free from brand interference, earning widespread consumer trust and admiration.
Through intelligence and perseverance, Luo Manli transformed a humble "perfume bar" into a thriving business, enjoying an increasingly prosperous life admired by all.