Barbara Stegemann has boundless energy. Nothing can stop this Pointe-Claire-born entrepreneur, founder and CEO of The 7 Virtues perfumes, a social enterprise that makes fair trade perfume from essential oils sourced from countries rebuilding after wars and conflicts.
Posted yesterday at 11:00 a.m.
For example, patchouli comes from Rwanda, it gives widows their economic independence, vetiver comes from Haiti, it helps support farmland devastated by the 2010 earthquake, vanilla comes from Madagascar and helps provide education and health care, the orange blossom and the rose come from Afghanistan, where it all began for Barbara Stegemann.
In 2006, his best friend, Captain Trevor Greene, a Canadian army soldier serving in Afghanistan, was seriously injured. This episode is the trigger. Barbara Stegemann then wishes to change the world, nothing less.
mission of peace
She wants to continue the mission of peace and decides to encourage Afghan farmers to grow orange blossom rather than poppy seeds, since it is illegal. She thus buys $2,000 worth of orange blossom oil, through an NGO, to make perfume. Without any experience, but with great determination, in 2010 she launched her perfume The 7 Virtues in Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE 7 VIRTUES
Barbara Stegemann in Haiti
In 2012, she went on the show Dragon’s Den to CBC (the English version of In the eye of the dragon) and manages to convince the businessman W. Brett Wilson to finance his company, which allows him to multiply the fragrances and the sales of perfumes all over the world. In 2013, Barbara Stegemann was invited to participate in a trade mission to Haiti with former President Bill Clinton and other companies selected for their innovative business models. Today, The 7 Virtues is Sephora’s best-selling own fragrance brand.
Of course, the situation in Ukraine concerns him deeply. ” My heart is broken. I know the ravages of war. »
Afghanistan, Rwanda, these are places that I got to know. I know their wounds, but I also know their resilience and already Ukraine have shown their resilience.
Barbara Stegemann, founder of The 7 Virtues
“I have seen great initiatives to support Ukrainian refugees, such as that of my friend, Chief Jose Andres [il sert des repas aux réfugiés ukrainiens à la frontière de la Pologne et de l’Ukraine], she adds. This is an initiative that I support, while continuing to look for additional opportunities to help organizations that are already on the ground. »
A fragrance for menstrual fairness
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, in collaboration with the organization Days for Girl, The 7 Virtues launched Lotus Pear, a fragrance made with Egyptian geranium and rose, part of whose proceeds from sales help advance menstrual equity for women and girls in Nepal. “How, even today, in certain countries including Nepal, when young girls have their period, they cannot go to school, they are ashamed, stigmatized? asks Barbara Stegemann in an interview.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE 7 VIRTUES
The perfume Lotus Pear made with Egyptian geranium and rose helps advance menstrual fairness for women and girls in Nepal.
“We need to help them, distribute washable menstrual hygiene kits and change mentalities. Young girls must go to school, get out of poverty, become independent, choose the life they want to lead. It’s so important. It concerns all of us, she said. In fact, reusable sanitary napkins, tampons and feminine hygiene products should be free in all countries. »
Barbara Stegemann talks about her philosophy which is based on the seven virtues, wonder, truth, balance, courage, justice, wisdom and beauty.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE 7 VIRTUES
Barbara Stegemann presents her perfumes at Sephora.
I am a social entrepreneur who believes in giving back to love [ROL – Return on love] and not just the return on investment [ROI — Return on investment]. Younger generations want to buy products that make sense, that are sustainable, ecological, but that serve a cause.
Barbara Stegemann, founder of The 7 Virtues
“Maybe one day, all brands and companies will help support a cause,” she adds.
The businesswoman has fond memories of her early years in Montreal. “I often come back to Montreal, a city that I adore, even though I moved to Nova Scotia when I was 8 years old,” emphasizes the one who is very proud of the path she has traveled.
“When I think that I sell perfume in Paris, me who lived in a fishing town in Nova Scotia! You must never give up ! I started in my garage. How many times I was discouraged, I was told that I wouldn’t make it! We learn, we surround ourselves with people who inspire us and who give us good advice, and very often, it’s when we get close to the goal that we give up. So I’m telling you: you have to keep going,” recalls the entrepreneur, who also offers conferences on motivation.