Two years before I launched Fairytale Fragrance Co., I was sitting in a pulmonologist’s office in Philadelphia, being evaluated for a double lung transplant. It felt like the last, desperate chance of hope as my health had deteriorated so much from Cystic Fibrosis (CF) that breathing had become a constant struggle.
Why would someone with damaged lungs want to start a fragrance company? It sounds crazy, I know. But fragrance was something I had always loved. Unfortunately, as my illness progressed, even wearing perfumes became impossible.
My journey with CF began when I was just three years old. My father, a medical doctor, diagnosed me and was told there wasn’t much hope or treatment available in the U.S. at the time. The pediatricians advised my parents to take me to Europe, which had the best treatment at the time. So, we went countless times, meeting with doctors in places like Dublin, Ireland, and Budapest, Hungary.
Traveling across Europe was more than just medical visits. During those trips, my parents would take me to see grand castles and beautiful landscapes. Being where fairytales were born left a lasting impression on me. Stories of courage, hope, and dreams coming true became a huge part of my life, sparking my fascination with all things magical and enchanting.
Cliffs of Moher and O’Brien’s Tower in Ireland - circa 1990s
But my reality was far from a fairytale. I spent much of my life in and out of hospitals, battling relentless pulmonary exacerbations. I remember lying in the ICU during one of my worst hospitalizations after a tracheotomy, feeling completely hopeless. Yet, even in that dark time, I noticed how lovely the nurses smelled. It sounds silly, but I longed to feel beautiful and smell pretty like that again.
Then, everything changed. At the end of 2019, a new medication was approved by the FDA for patients with Cystic Fibrosis. From the very first dose, I felt an instant improvement in my health. And just two months later, I no longer needed the lung transplant. It was the miracle I had prayed for my whole life.
Suddenly, I had a future rather than a life expectancy hanging over me. That’s when I made the decision to follow my dreams of creating a fragrance company. But I wanted it to be more than just perfumes. I wanted to share stories of hope and resilience—the stories that carried me through the hardest times.
I began experimenting with fragrances that were soft and subtle without compromising longevity, using clean ingredients. Scents that even I could wear and made me feel beautiful and alive again.
Looking back, I see how my childhood travels across Europe, captivated by castles and fairytales, shaped who I am. From someone who once had no hope of a future to someone sharing their journey through perfumery, it truly is a fairytale dream come true.
Thank you for being here and for your support. I hope my story inspires you to never give up on your dreams as you never know when they may come true. 💖
