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In the enchanting world of perfumery, where scent weaves with the stars, Kristi Moe stands out as a visionary force. As the founder of ZODICA Perfumery, Kristi has brilliantly merged her passion for astrology with her love for fragrances, creating a unique line of perfumes that speak to the soul of each zodiac sign. Her journey from concept to creation is nothing short of inspiring, and we had the pleasure of delving into her story, exploring the challenges she faced, the triumphs she celebrated, and the celestial magic behind her creations.
Ahead, we unveil the captivating world of ZODICA Perfumery through the eyes of its trailblazing founder, Kristi Moe.
Journey to Founding ZODICA
Can you share your journey to founding ZODICA Perfumery? What inspired you to blend astrology and fragrance, and how did you bring your vision to life?
I’ve always been fascinated with perfume’s magic. Time traveling does exist when you catch a scent of something that brings a forgotten memory into the present as sharp as a photograph. It sounds mysterious but there’s literal science behind how that happens. Our scent brain (the olfactory bulb) is within our emotion brain (limbic system) which is also where the memory brain (amygdala and hippocampus) lives. Scent, feelings and memories are all intertwined. It’s a crucial part of the human experience. Yet for about 30% of the population (including myself) who are sensitive to scent, it can be utterly painful, resulting in the triggering of migraines or allergy attacks. I wanted to reclaim perfume’s magic for those of us who suffer from harsh chemicals often found in scented products.
Since shopping for perfume requires so much trial and error through necessary sampling, I wanted to find a way to personalize scent to cut out some of the guesswork, and pain, of finding a signature scent. When researching what forms our personality, I came across a scientific study that investigated the association of season of birth and personality development. While reading this I started to wonder if astrology could be helpful. I wondered if we share scent preferences the same way we share personality traits. Curiosity led me down the rabbit hole. After doing blind scent studies I discovered scent preference patterns that I then used when designing the fragrances. The end result is that people prefer their zodiac sign’s perfume about 80% of the time.
Personal Connection to Astrology
How has your personal connection to astrology influenced the development of your perfumes? Do you have a favorite zodiac sign to create for, and why or what’s your sign/favorite scent?
Before creating Zodica Perfumery, I had a passing fascination of astrology like most people who occasionally check their horoscope. I never spent much serious time considering it. But after seeing the results of my scent studies, I knew there was a lot more to astrology that I wanted to uncover. Even after eleven years of studying astrology, especially Hellenistic astrology, I feel I’m only scratching the surface! My favorite way to create now is by looking at a natal chart and seeing how the various zodiac signs manifest for that person, business or place. We are so much more than just our sun sign. We are actually a mix of all twelve. My favorite scent is one that I made for my home state of Wisconsin’s natal chart which includes Aries, Gemini, Libra, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Challenges and Triumphs
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while starting ZODICA, and how did you overcome them? What triumphs are you most proud of?
The biggest challenge was simply taking the leap to begin. Having the confidence in myself that I could do it. I think that’s one of the reasons I spent three years in the research phase before I launched… I needed to convince myself of its viability. If you believe in yourself and your idea, you’ll find a way to make everything else happen no matter the challenges that arise. It came to a point where I felt I either had to take the risk or let it go and move on. I wasn’t willing to let it go and that’s when I knew I had to take the big leap, even if it meant failure. I viewed not trying as more of a failure. I didn’t want to go through life wondering “What if?”.
Eight years later, my biggest triumph is waking up every day and seeing that Zodica is not just still in business but thriving. Not only do 45% of small businesses fail within the first 5 years, female led businesses are even more likely to fail. Zodica is still 100% owned by me, is debt-free, and was listed by Inc Magazine on the 2024 fastest growing companies list for the Midwest.
Unique Approach to Fragrance
ZODICA perfumes are unique in that they are crafted based on zodiac signs. Can you explain the process behind creating a fragrance that embodies the characteristics of each sign?
Surprisingly, the process to create a zodiac sign scent started with science. The astrology came later. I was simply trying to answer: Why do we like what we like? I learned what we like is driven by our personality which is set by a few factors including environment. Studies have shown season of our birth influences personality development due to the amount of sunlight hours and fresh nutrients we were exposed to in-utero. It seems possible then that people born at the same time of year would share not just personality traits but also preferences. I set out to find out if this would be true for scent preferences.
After doing blind scent studies, I found patterns. People of the same zodiac sign were liking the same type of scent profiles. This is when I knew I was onto something big. I took the data and then designed the perfumes layering in astrology principles and aromatherapy ingredients. For example, Aries is a fire sign and a cardinal sign that starts the spring season. It’s powerful, being ruled by Mars, the planet of war. As the first sign of the zodiac, it has youthful vigor and competitive energy. The perfume profile, compared to the rest of the collection, is not a wallflower by any means! It gets your attention immediately, wakes you up, inspires action. It’s also our bestseller!
Future Vision
Looking ahead, what are your future plans for ZODICA? Are there any exciting new products or collaborations on the horizon that you can share with us?
Zodica has always been a co-creation with the Universe. I’ve learned to shift my plans as opportunities arise and doors open. Being a part of a community has been a common thread. I started out selling at a little tent at a farmers market. Zodica is now sold in almost 700 indie boutiques in the US and beyond. We will be opening our flagship store in my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin this September and be furthering opportunities for people to connect with each other, with themselves, and with something greater!
