Trader Profile-Bohobo Aromatherapies
As the seasons shift and nights draw in, here at TFI HQ we are enormous fans of Bohobo Aromatherapies for creating the cosiest and calming of atmospheres with their incredible products. If you haven’t already, we’d urge you to hunt them down at the next edition of The Frome Independent – their smells are truly transformative! Meet Birgitta Bellême, founder of Bohobo…
Tell us a bit about you and your business…
We make natural aromatherapy based products for practical holistic ritual, here in Frome. We began Bohobo Aromatherapies nine years ago after our oldest daughter was born. We wanted to create a business that reflected our lives, our holistic approach to living and our connection to nature. As we as being Bohobo Aromatherapies I am a writer and Miles is an abstract landscape painter.
Where do you get your inspiration – what motivates you to do what you do?
I studied aromatherapy 25 years ago but even before that I was always curious smells and the stories they express. They don’t even have to be ‘nice’ smells. A deep whiff of earthy horse poo can produce top notes of vetiver and be as equally as intoxicating to me as paradisiacal ylang ylang.
Why did you choose to come and trade at the Frome Independent?
We moved to Frome in April 2015 and started trading on a suitcase pitch in May. The energy and enthusiasm of the market makers, traders and comers produces an electric atmosphere. Trying the different street food, mooching about the stalls, discovering passionate artisans and their glorious products. Really very simply, we love the market!
What do you like about market trading – why not just sell online or through retail outlets?
Being a deliciously scented business in online times means that we need formulate words to convey a scent in a pretty precise way, and we do that, but nothing can compare to spraying our Chakra Balancing Spray around head of loose charcoal curls and having that person truly understand, on a physical and emotional level, how the oils have been layered and why, without me even saying a word. Being at the market means we get to glimpse how our customers interact with our products in a real way and also gives our customers the opportunity to interact, squeeze, pinch and even smooch us (pinching and smooching optional).
Tell us about your own favourite or best-selling product. How much work goes into creating it, why do you think this is your strongest product?
My favourite product would be a tie between our Chakra Balancing Spray and our Rewild & Ritual monthly holistic subscription box. Our Chakra Balancing spray is made with intent and by the moon with eleven precious essential oils and infused with smokey black quartz (insert breath here). It was one of our first products and has been featured in Vogue, as well as beautiful side tables all over the world. I think it is our strongest product because it offers everyone the opportunity to recreate their day within it. Rewild & Ritual is our monthly subscription box containing tools for holistic wellbeing. Each month centres on a theme to help us rewild deeper into ourselves. They contain natural beauty elements, meditations, things to taste, to burn and do. A heartfelt exploration of our senses delivered to your door.
What is your favourite Frome shop, or stall to visit at The Frome Independent?
My favourite stall to visit at The Frome independent is Kay Morgan Jewellery. The shapes and colours of her creations ignite joy.
And finally, some quick fire questions….
Favourite book?
Divisadaro – Michael Ondaatje
Describe your dream day off –
Waking in the sunshine, sipping hot chocolate, stretching, meditating, cooking, exploring somewhere new and reading but not necessarily in that order.
What are you listening to right now?
Planetary Strengths and Weaknesses – London School of Astrology
What are you cooking/ eating / drinking at the moment?
It’s October so I am always souping – recipes on our Instagram and also in our Seasons Rituals – a holistic wellbeing journal, available in preorder.
Thank you Birgitta! If you or a dear friend is in need of a treat, head along to The Bridge on Sunday 6th November, where you’ll find Bohobo Aromatherapies wonders for all budgets, or sign up to their monthly Rewild & Ritual holistic subscription box for a treat delivered to your door!
