We speak with María Luisa Rael Arnal, Co-founder and Sales Director of OrientFragance, a company created with the aim of bringing Arabic perfumery closer to the European market in a professional and structured way.
1.Name, position and company
María Luisa Rael Arnal, Co-founder and Sales Director of OrientFragance (TimeforYouSelf, S.L.)
2.Tell us about the company you work for. What is its story?
OrientFragance was created with the aim of bringing Arabic perfumery closer to the European market in a professional and structured way. After years of experience in the sector, we identified an opportunity in the import and development of brands with a strong identity and distinctive value.
From the beginning, we have worked with a selective approach, focusing on brands that offer quality and that we can support in their positioning within the professional channel.
Today, we operate throughout Europe, incorporating new lines such as Korean cosmetics, and we are currently in a growth phase with new projects and a clear ambition for international expansion.
3.What does your day-to-day work in the company involve?
My day-to-day work focuses on managing the commercial area, purchasing and the direct relationship with brands and clients. I am responsible for product selection, negotiating directly with the brands and evaluating new opportunities.
I also manage the regulatory side, ensuring that all products comply with current regulations, and I supervise the sales strategy and positioning within the professional channel, taking care of the brand’s presence at the point of sale.
4.What is your differential value?
Our differential value lies in the combination of specialization, professional structure and strategic approach. We do not only import and distribute; we also analyze each brand and work selectively, collaborating only with those that bring real value.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive service that covers everything from product selection to commercial and regulatory support, as well as development at the point of sale.
5.What challenges do you think you will face in the coming years?
One of the main challenges is to continue growing in an increasingly competitive market while maintaining our selective approach and high standards when selecting brands.
It will also be key to structure new lines within the company, incorporating categories such as niche perfumery, differentiating each segment and adapting each proposal to the retail channel.
All of this will be accompanied by a clear international expansion strategy.
6.What does being part of the Beauty Cluster bring to you as an organization and to you as a professional?
Being part of the Beauty Cluster allows us to stay in contact with other companies and professionals in the sector, share knowledge and better understand the evolution of the market.
For us, it is an opportunity for growth, for generating synergies and for contributing our experience in the field of perfumery and distribution.
On a professional level, it means continuing to learn and staying connected to innovation within the beauty sector.
7.Coming back to you. How did you enter the beauty sector?
My professional career has always been linked to product development and product management, especially on the technical and regulatory side. This allowed me to gain an in-depth understanding of the sector from within.
Over time, this experience became part of the OrientFragance project, where I have been able to contribute a more complete vision, combining the technical side with commercial development within the world of perfumery.
8.Speaking of “beauty”, how would you define it?
Beauty is a form of identity. In perfumery, it is the ability to evoke emotions, memories and sensations, creating a unique connection between the fragrance and the person.
9.Any hobby, superpower or hidden passion you would like to share?
I am passionate about everything related to perfumery, especially fragrance selection and product development. I also greatly value personal time and balance, as they are essential for maintaining clarity and focus in everyday life.
10.What is the last book you read or film you watched?
I am not someone who reads regularly, but I recently discovered “In Search of Perfumes” by Dominique Roques, a book closely linked to the world of perfumery that has sparked my interest in the origin of raw materials and the stories behind each essence.
11.Business is based on…
Trust, consistency and long-term relationships, always bringing real value to both brands and clients.
