In today's episode of Elevate Your Career, Nicole is joined by Troy Arnsten, co-founder and president of the globally renowned affordable luxury brand Voluspa. Troy shares his journey from humble beginnings to creating a fragrance empire. They discuss his early experiences, from his first job as a teen in a quirky role to his transition from a mechanical engineer to a risk-taking entrepreneur in the fragrance industry. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability in the face of uncertainty and the challenges of starting a business in a market not yet saturated with products. Troy and his partner’s bold move from Minnesota to California marked the birth of Voluspa, started with a mere $3,000. He recounts the initial struggles of establishing the brand, from hand-pouring candles in their garage to their breakthrough moment getting into Saks Fifth Avenue. His journey emphasizes the importance of innovation, quality, and maintaining a distinct niche in a competitive market. Troy's experience highlights the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, illustrating that the path to success is often paved with perseverance and a willingness to take calculated risks. Troy offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of diversity in income and client base, learned from a challenging phase in the business. He also discusses the evolution of Voluspa, focusing on team-building and creating a collaborative and creative work culture. Join Nicole and Troy for this fascinating and inspiring conversation! Enjoy! What You Will Learn In This Show: Troy's journey of overcoming challenges and the crucial role of perseverance in navigating dark days and uncertain times in business.How a mechanical engineer with a blue-collar background pivoted into the fragrance industry.How Troy and his partner started Voluspa in California with just $3,000.How Voluspa carved out a unique space in the competitive fragrance industry by focusing on luxury packaging, quality formulations, and targeting specific market segments.The importance of not over-relying on a few clients or income streams.Troy's approach to building a collaborative, creative, and agile team, and the importance of cultural fit and collective effort in driving a brand's success.The value of learning from failures and unsuccessful product launches as essential steps towards understanding the market and refining products.How personal success and brand success can be interlinked and how maintaining control over business decisions can lead to long-term growth and sustainability.Why Voluspa chose to manufacture in the U.S., and how they innovated with natural ingredients like coconut oil for a cleaner, sustainable product.And so much more... Resources: Voluspa