From humble beginnings in hypermarkets to scaling two fragrance giants globally, Yvan shares how staying grounded, listening to customers, and taking bold career risks helped shape two of the most talked-about fragrance brands today.
In this episode of Hustle Inspires Hustle, host Alex Quin sits down with Yvan Jacqueline, President of the Americas for Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés. They unpack the world of luxury fragrance branding, retail strategy, and the power of genuine customer connections. From starting in hypermarkets to leading two top-tier fragrance brands carried in major department stores like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale's, Yvan shares how purpose, risk-taking, and people-first values fueled his career. You’ll also hear about groundbreaking products like functional fragrances and their revolutionary scent diffuser system, all rooted in science, innovation, and unmatched customer experience.
00:00 — Intro: Meet Yvan Jacqueline, President of Parfums de Marly & Initio
02:20 — Moving to the U.S. to build brand presence
05:45 — How Parfums de Marly became #1 at Nordstrom
07:50 — Yvan’s career shift from hypermarkets to luxury fragrance
13:15 — The importance of doing every job with pride and integrity
18:05 — Traveling to build global fragrance presence
23:00 — In-store experiences vs. online fragrance marketing
27:00 — Initio’s unique approach to functional fragrance
33:30 — Customer trust, education, and staying true to brand DNA
38:40 — Packaging innovation and detail in luxury marketing
44:10 — Organic TikTok impact and connecting with Gen Z
51:00 — Closing thoughts on values, leadership, and being remembered
"People think fragrance is for others, but it’s about how you feel."
— Alex Quin
"Perfume has a powerful emotional connection—it’s not just a scent."
— Yvan Jacqueline
"Great sales happen when clients talk about the product at home."
— Yvan Jacqueline
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Alex Quin is a full-stack marketing expert and global keynote speaker. Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of UADV Marketing - a member of the Forbes Agency Council.
