Meet Tanya Thompson | Founder: The Aroma Labs

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Thompson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
I founded my business as a way to cope with the grief of losing my co-parent. Widowed at 30 with two young daughters aged 3 and 6, I found solace and connection through creativity. Crafting candles, scrubs, and lotions with my daughters not only lifted my spirits but also led to heartfelt gifts for teachers, bus drivers, mail carriers, and friends. People were curious about our creations, so I invited them into my home to join us, sparking a love for the shared experience of crafting.

This passion guided me through higher education, making me the first in my family to earn an associates, bachelors, and masters degree. My business model took shape during a class project. Along this journey, my daughters became integral to the process. They assisted with staffing, designed our logo and marketing materials, contributed to product development, and aided in implementation.

Throughout this endeavor, I’ve instilled valuable lessons in my daughters: the importance of connection, resilience, determination, and a business-oriented mindset. By navigating challenges and strategically improving our lives and future, I’ve shown them the power of hard work. They’ve witnessed my efforts in building my brand, changing consumer perceptions, and leading a team, all of which have become invaluable life lessons.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Tanya Thompson here. Four years ago, I was able to turn a basement hobby into a gender-neutral experience designed to give anyone a greater sense of identity.
But it was born out of my grieving process.
You see, thirteen years ago I lost my husband.
And part of my grieving process was to physically make things.
Whether it was candles, a shower scrub, or a lotion…
It was an opportunity to get out of my own mind.
In a way, it was a two-fold experience because not only did help me through my grieving process…
But it allowed me to put my emotions into an activity that genuinely helped people.
A way of giving back.
Often times I would give them away as appreciation gifts to friends, family, sometimes my girls’ teachers, and bus driver (because let’s be honest bus drivers don’t get enough credit for keeping our kids safe, right?)
But as a single widowed mom with two little girls, I just didn’t have the money to keep buying the resources I needed.
So over the last twelve years, I spent countless hours training my mind through education so I could breathe life into the passion that helped me through my grieving process.
As of 2020, I earned my associate’s degree, bachelor’s, and master’s in business administration.
And with the help of my two daughters who helped create the logo, color design, and decorate the shops…
I was able to open up what you now know as The Aroma Labs.
What (I hope) was a calm soothing experience where you got the opportunity to create a unique scent that belongs only to you.
After all, you were born with a unique smile, laugh, and fingerprint…
So why should you walk around smelling like everyone else, right? At least that’s what I think!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would bring them to my cherished city of Kalamazoo, specifically downtown Kalamazoo, which is now adorned with predominantly women-owned storefronts. We would relish a special trip to the Kalamazoo Mall, the first outdoor walking pedestrian mall of its kind. This holds a nostalgic charm for my grandmothers, who used to spend afternoons on the mall, engaging with others and working as a skilled seamstress at a prominent retail center.

During our visit, we would meet the passionate shop owners and indulge in their creative offerings such as tea, chocolate, art, and delicious main courses. Our evening would be filled with laughter from a comedian at The State theater, live music at local bars, and artisan cocktails at charming bistros. Downtown Kalamazoo offers a unique and vibrant experience, making it a delightful addition to any traveler’s itinerary.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to express my gratitude to my “home team,” comprising my four daughters, husband, and furry companion. They bring light to my toughest days with their unwavering love and support. I also want to pay tribute to my beloved grandma, who recently passed away. She was the only person who truly understood and connected with me during my struggles. A selfless giver of her time and talents, she firmly believed in the power of love and kindness. Her encouragement and attention empowered me to become the woman I am today.

Website: thearomalabs.com

Instagram: thearomalabs

Linkedin: Tanya Thompson

Facebook: thearomalabs

Yelp: thearomalabs

Image Credits
I own the rights