One of the most important lessons I’ve learned through Scented Pages Workshop is the power of listening to customers. After our first markets and online sales, we received feedback ranging from scent preferences to practical packaging issues, like wanting leakproof caps for travel.

Instead of seeing these as criticisms, I saw them as opportunities to improve. We set up a systematic way to collect customer feedback through surveys, Instagram polls, and direct conversations at markets. We categorized them into themes—like fragrance strength, bottle design, and story card readability—and created an “action list” for each production cycle.

For example, one customer suggested we make smaller “discovery sizes” so people could try multiple literary scents before choosing their favorite. We tested this idea and found it not only increased sales but also encouraged customers to gift them to friends, expanding our reach organically.

We also worked with a local supplier to improve our bottle seals, reducing leakage issues by 90% in our next batch. These small but critical adjustments made customers feel heard, transforming them into repeat buyers and community supporters.

This process taught me that innovation doesn’t always mean creating something entirely new; sometimes, it’s about refining what you have based on real-world input. It showed me that data and empathy can work together to build a business that is responsive and resilient, preparing me for a future where I can continue creating products that truly meet people’s needs.