Blog — Meet Our Makers

What makes Gojema special, in our opinion, are their distinctive scents. Inspired by cultures and people from all across the world, it truly shows the thought put into the scent combinations and really the power of smell, emotions, and memories. Scents like Smoked Oak + Bergamot and Wild Sage + Oakmoss are just a few examples of these unique pairings.

When did you start your business and why? Everything started with a bow tie. At 19, while attending art school in Maine, I was starving to find an interesting, well made bow tie ( these were very trendy, circa 2011 ). I remember searching everywhere- local stores, thrift stores department stores, malls, but all I would ever find was the standard, boring, stripe silk bow ties that were far too large for my already-rather-large head. It was on the bus ride home from searching at the mall that a friend from college says “why don’t you just make one?” And...

Erin is another talented maker that I met at the Renegade Craft Fair in Austin last year. I was immediately drawn to her booth because it was aesthetically gorgeous and she had the friendliest smile. Erin was there showcasing her plant-to-body line of skincare called Oxalis Apothecary. She was giving demonstrations, explaining what each ingredient in her products is and what it does. Visitors were able to touch, feel, smell and try her line - myself included. I fell in love with her Rose+Neroli Toning Mist and knew that I wanted to carry her products. I also secretly wanted to...

I first met Ray at the Renegade Craft Fair in Austin, a few months before I launched Bon Vivant. I was there seeking out unique, small-batch makers and I hit the jackpot. There were so many amazing makers and products, I thought I'd never leave. Ray had a booth where he was showcasing his all-natural skincare + fragrance line made in Austin, Fortitude Provisions. I had the pleasure of meeting him and trying some of these provisions, and let me just encourage you to check them out because they're amazing! Ray is insanely artistic and it shines through in his work....

One of the most inspirational and rewarding parts of owning Bon Vivant has been getting to meet the makers of our featured brands. I absolutely love learning more about how they got started and what motivates them to follow their passions. From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to focus on small-batch and artisanal makers and goods. I have tested the products and researched extensively to ensure that every item in our boxes is of the highest quality, and made as ethically as possible. That being said, I am honored to be able to share not only the...