Get Familiar with Local Business Owner Josua Hunt. Owner of Exotic Scentsations.
When did you start your business?
October 2019
Why did you decide to become a business owner?
There’s nothing greater than being the keeper of your own destiny. Having the freedom to make your own choices. There’s nothing more challenging than knowing that your wins or losses depend on the perfection of your craft.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
What else, to make money? Lol! My mission was the growing need to have peace of mind, to have my own. So many of our years are wasted working, toiling away at someone else’s business all just to make a good living. I started my own company because I wanted to chip away at my own business and eventually have a great living!
What services or products do you offer?
Exotic Scentsations offers a vast array of hand-dipped incense, oil warmers, incense oils, perfumed body oils, diffusers, skin care products, ie lotions, body butter, massage oils, and raw shea kinds of butter. We also offer a variety of novelties.
How do you advertise your business?
Thanks to the quality of the products, word of mouth has been the greatest form of advertisement. We advertise on Instagram @exotic_scents413 and Facebook @scentsations413.
Our website is www.exoticscentsations.com.
Do you use any professional services for your business?
Leonard Underwood (Upscale Socks) for business advice and guidance. James Hall (Lwyrenterprise) for company apparel. Urban League of Springfield for business support.
What made you choose your company’s location?
The convenience of being close to home. The exposure of being in an open mall. The peace of mind of having 24-hour security and the ability to meet so many new people who shop daily. Eastfield Mall is filled with potential.
What are your company goals?
Our current goal is to have a storefront with an even larger variety of oils and merchandise. Our ultimate goal is the establishment of a strong brand with national recognition and a presence in small and large stores.
What made you start a company in this industry?
What started as a hobby slowly transformed into a business. Then with the legalization of marijuana and people’s growing need to cover up their elicit smoking habits, Exotic Scentsations was born.
How did you come up with the name of your company?
Exotic because it was different. Exotic is rare. Exotic is unique. Scentsations are spelled with a “C” because we make the sensational smell good. Put both together and you have Exotic Scentsations.
How would you describe the work environment?
Exotic Scentsations is a family-oriented business. Since we are a family-oriented business, we experience both the highs and lows of owning a business. What can be seen as a challenge by most is simply viewed as an opportunity for us.
What is unique about your business?
Everything is authentic. The names of our products (Ghetto Fabulous, Purple Kush) range from the new school or pay homage to the old school (Egyptian Musk, Patchouli). Every aspect of Exotic Scentsations is designed, produced, and labeled right here in Springfield Massachusetts.
How much time do you spend working on your business each day?
That can vary. Working during the day is hard in itself. At the very least I try to dedicate 3 hours a day. However, that can easily balloon into more. The weekends are more than likely sun up to sundown or into the wee hours of the morning. Event weeks or the night before, are all about preparation so that could last all night.
Where did you get the idea for your business?
Old school memories. Moms Saturday night parties where Egyptian Musk incense and libations flowed easily with the slamming of dominoes and Michael Jackson crooning. Incense has been a staple in many households for years. The need for enhanced smells. The idea was to help cover one’s faults and hide the obvious.
What market does your company serve?
Exotic Scentsations is a part of the very vast aromatherapy industry. We serve a variety of people, from the 50-something cashier looking for a relaxing scent in her shed, to the 18-year-old college student looking to smoke in his college dorm but trying to avoid detection.
