Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding

Today’s honoree: Akuura Kulak & Aroma Sanctum Perfumes!

Akuura and Kasen. Photo by Joyce Copland.

Akuura Kulak has found a unique way to combine her passion and talents with her love for horses: she donates a portion of her equestrian fragrance sales to various deserving equine organizations. Akuura kindly answered our questions about her project.

HN: Can you describe your business for us?

AK: Aroma Sanctum Perfumes is a natural perfumery in Salem MA. that I started in 1996. I have a lot of chemical sensitivities, so I can’t work for the commercial industry, so I began teaching myself about aromatherapy and essential oils when I was very young. I only use the most natural and safe ingredients in making my line of quality perfume oils  and body products, which are sold in the shop and online all over the world. Nothing is made from animal ingredients or tested on animals. I also specialize in custom perfume design for individuals and duplicating discontinued scents.

HN: Please tell us more about your equestrian-specific scents!

AK: One of my favorite smells in the world is the sweet smell of horses — I find it intoxicating, and decided to see if I could create a perfume like it. Horse Whispers is an elegant leather scent that both men and women can wear. I wanted to capture the positive emotions we feel when we are with horses- the affection and trust- as well as the comforting scent of the saddle leather , hay and the warmth of the horse’s body. (I left out the manure/barn smells, figuring they wouldn’t appeal to everyone!) I used Italian bergamot, orange blossom, sandalwood, styrax (a resin from a tree used as a perfume base), and a beautiful leather note, among other things.

HN: What inspired you for this particular project and donations?

AK: I get inspired by many scents in the natural world, and horses are important to me in so many ways. I have drawn, painted and photographed them for as long as I can remember. I started riding again a few years ago, for physical therapy to help my arthritis, and it has helped tremendously! I feel so much gratitude towards the horses at the therapeutic center where I ride (Windrush Farm, another Standing Ovation nominee), and every day witness them helping so many others. I felt a strong need to give back in whatever way I can to these amazing healing beings, and decided to make Horse Whispers part of an ongoing donation project.

HN: How do you select which organizations to work with?

AK: Every month I am sponsoring a different horse organization — horse rescues, equine therapy programs, equine veterans programs, mustang preservation groups. We cross post on our social media about the scent and the project, and I donate a percentage of my sales of the fragrance to them. I have started with local organizations and groups in the New England area that I know personally, and now am researching and contacting others around the country. The scent really is geared towards equestrians, so I thought it would be a good way to get the word out into that world, and hopefully help raise money and awareness about horses in need, as well as equine therapy programs that are changing people’s lives.

HN: Where can we learn more about your business?

For more information about my business and the donation project visit my website www.aromasanctum.com. Horse Whispers is available as a perfume oil on the House Blends page, and in natural body products as well.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.