Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion

by Lisa Price, Hilary Beard

In this remarkable memoir, Lisa Price shares the extraordinary story of how she went from bankruptcy to successful entrepreneur—grossing more than two million a year while working from her very own Brooklyn home. Intoxicated by fragrance and scent even as a child, Lisa was famous among her friends for always smelling good. She never imagined that the oils she enjoyed mixing up for her own pleasure would give way to the hugely popular “Carol’s Daughter,” a luxurious, all-natural line of bath and beauty products.

How did a young black woman in financial straits, unable to get a business loan and deeply in debt, churn out a multi-million dollar enterprise? With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts (which Lisa did by following her nose!) But first Lisa had to face down her demons—her fears about money, low self-esteem, and a history of failed relationships. But as she tackled each problem, her confidence soared and her business was unstoppable. She met her husband and business partner, began a family, and bought a large, beautiful space in her Brooklyn neighborhood to sell her products—favorites like Honey Pudding, Mango Body Butter, and Jamaican Punch that stars such as Halle Berry, Erykah Badu, Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Rosie Perez buy religiously.

In Success Never Smelled So Sweet , Lisa Price charts her amazing journey in lively, down-to-earth stories about her childhood growing up in Brooklyn and the often unexpected “accidents” in the kitchen that led to her bestselling scents. From the early cultivation of her sensory gift through cooking with her Trinidadian grandmother to her painful years in a rigid school system where she was berated by teachers and bullied by kids, Lisa speaks tenderly and wisely about the subtle ways in which life can guide us to our inner truth—even as it throws out difficult obstacles along the way.

For any woman who has ever longed to leave the nine-to-five grind and work successfully from home, Lisa Price’s story is a must-read. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, life advice from her own mother, Carol, and the recipes for some of her best-loved products, Success Never Smelled So Sweet is a book to read by candlelight while soaking in a silky rose-milk bath.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2004

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very encouraging to me. The authors are Lisa Price, the owner of Carol's Daughter, a body products company, and Hilary Beard, an author hired by an agency to work with her, but it reads as if Lisa Price were speaking throughout. I guess that means Ms. Beard did an excellent job. Mrs. Price tells about her fears and challenges, about how the universe has blessed her, and the many times she has received inspiration. I feel she is a builder, not a destroyer; a creative person, not destructive at all. Because I'm embarking on writing a screenplay, intending to submit it for production, I'm nervous about the whole process of putting my work out there to be seen, commented on, and loved/hated. She expresses the process she went through in moving from a very dysfunctional relationship with finances, men, and self-care, to a very uplifting and wholesome relationship with finances, her husband and children, and caring for her self. She frequently stresses how important it is to do things that make you feel alive and loved; she focuses on baths and fragrances and body products because that's her passion and because these things have and are helping her and many other people through her efforts. I felt she was like me (not exactly, but a lot of the same fears). I also felt empowered to do good with the gifts I've been given.
It was a challenge to understand her belief system, partly because she doesn't go into much depth; it's definitely not the same as mine, but a lot of the same behaviors are rewarding in her system and in mine. I found it useful to get outside the boundaries of organized religion and realize that God cares about all of His children and will answer when they ask in faith.
I had never heard of Carol's Daughter, the company, before; I want to look it up online and maybe order something from them. She expresses that she has tried to grow organically, as resources come available, without an excess of debt and without outside investors, because she wants to keep control of her company. Her reasoning for wanting to keep control is so that she can continue the values she started it with: giving employment to people who really need it, developing products as she sees a need and feels inspired, not focusing on profits for the sake of earning money but rather focusing on genuinely helping people in a way that people are happy to pay for. I like this outlook and wonder, since the book was written in 2004, how she's doing now.

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, it confirmed, that if a person gets their priorities in order. Then all other matters will fall into place. Especially when you're focused, and determined to accomplish a dream, goal, or vision.

[DCbook•ish]

I haven't read it yet, but... I was able to "meet & greet" w/ Lisa during an event @ Macy's (Bowie Town Center, MD). Very down-to-earth & helpful. Iwish her the best of luck & I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the Kizzie "Stay Put" Hair Pomade & Tui Hair Oil. She also recommended the Hair Milk for my natural curls, so I've added that on my "To Get" list... She even gave me a personal note (although the books are already signed)

[Really Rashida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspirational!