Barb Stegemann understands dollars and scents. She helps farmers in Afghanistan convert their opium crops into fields of rose, orange-blossom and other essential oils used to craft fine fragrances. In 2010, she purchased $2,000 of oils from an Afghan farmer on her personal Visa card, unable to secure a loan from predictably timid banks. With the help of a Toronto perfumer, she then created the 7 Virtues brand. Stegemann is assisting Afghan farmers held captive by the drug trade to find their dignity and earn some small measure of economic freedom. Indeed, her company has invested over $100,000 in Afghanistan to date.
Stegemann’s firm has also designed fragrances from Haiti as well as a politically intriguing blend of grapefruit oil from Israel and lime and basil oils from Iran for a scent called Middle East Peace. Her products can be found in Lord & Taylor, Hudson Bay stores across Canada and other retailers who know a good brand and a good story when they see it. Stegemann and Afghan traders such as her business partner, Abdullah Arsala, certainly do pass the smell test. They deserve our thanks.
Twitter @jessicamcwade
Stegemann’s firm has also designed fragrances from Haiti as well as a politically intriguing blend of grapefruit oil from Israel and lime and basil oils from Iran for a scent called Middle East Peace. Her products can be found in Lord & Taylor, Hudson Bay stores across Canada and other retailers who know a good brand and a good story when they see it. Stegemann and Afghan traders such as her business partner, Abdullah Arsala, certainly do pass the smell test. They deserve our thanks.
Twitter @jessicamcwade