We imagined them in their workshop, immersed in a fragrant cloud, surrounded by cups of coffee and imaginary paper airplanes, all scribbled with poems and new ideas.
We want to tell you about the world of creativity through the eyes of Sara and Marika, the heart and soul of Cera una bolla, two artisans who have turned a great passion into their everyday work, creating fragrances that tell stories, places, and emotions.
• What is Cera una bolla and where did the apostrophe go?
We took it off and hung it on the garden veranda. In an instant, it became a hammock on which, while rocking our thoughts, a project was born to perfume the world and try to make it a better place every day.
• Who were you before Cera una bolla?
Eh eh... we always struggle when we have to talk about this because it's a part of our lives that has been with us for a very long time, irreversibly shaping many characteristics that have determined who we are now. Before embarking on this path, both Sara and I were professional basketball players. We never talk about that journey, even though it was long, decisive, and satisfying; it's something we tend to keep to ourselves. I can only say that sport—especially team sports—played from an early age and at a professional level shapes you like few other things in the world.
• What elements do you start with when you are asked to create a personalized fragrance?
We start with a questionnaire that we ask our clients to fill out, which is essential for us to identify the path we need to follow. The questionnaire is not only aimed at understanding which scents are preferred over others, but also, and above all, it helps us understand the soul of the brand that we will have to convey through the fragrance.
• What is your laboratory like? Has it grown and changed over time as your project has evolved?
We started out in a garage, which makes me smile when I think about it now! We started out using every available space, from the garage to the closet at home, from the desk to the kitchen. We then moved to a bigger house where we now have LaBollatorio; when we arrived here, it seemed huge... within a year it was already too small, so now we are looking for a much bigger laboratory that can accommodate all the perfume we want to give to the world.
• The production work is divided into two phases: the creative and the commercial. Those with talent and a creative spirit are not always skilled in the field of sponsorship and sales of their product. In your case, how do these two phases of work, so essential to each other, fit together?
They don't fit together, but rather, let's say that over time they have become good traveling companions. It's something truly It's hard to be a salesperson if you're not cut out for it. We always try not to overdo it with calls to action aimed at compulsive shopping. Instead, we try to take people on a journey, a feeling, a path that leads them to choose to buy what they feel they need without forcing their hand in any way. Of course, if we could choose to live solely on creativity, we'd sign up tomorrow! ;)
• It's not talked about enough, but opening and running a business also presents many challenges. Can you remember one that particularly tested you? How did you overcome it?
What we are experiencing now is certainly the biggest challenge. Finding a space that suits our needs and at the same time complies with all the regulations that our business must adhere to is extremely difficult.
The difficulty lies not only in finding something suitable, but also in continuing to carry out all the work while all our energy is focused on finding the space and dealing with the bureaucracy that comes with it.
• You promote a slow, intimate lifestyle linked to the magic of small, big things. Having your own business, on the other hand, pushes you into a frenetic pace. How do you manage to reconcile the two?
Perhaps the image we project is that of a slow life, I don't know, probably because we live in the countryside, travel in a camper van, and our dogs appear very often on our social media. Certainly, the type of product we make encourages people to take a moment for themselves to fully enjoy a special moment. In truth, I am the opposite of slow, alas, and I often pay for this with my health. A frenetic pace is the norm, especially at certain times of the year, so I don't really feel I can say I'm the spokesperson for a slow lifestyle, although our products probably are, intrinsically speaking, that's for sure. I prefer to think that our communication inspires change, an openness to a renewed world, willing to fix all those injustices that need to be changed. I prefer to think that we are spokespeople for a movement that would like to see people have the same rights and move around the world freely, without constraints or barriers, just like perfumes do.
• You are an example of a young, dynamic, and successful business: what advice would you give to someone starting their own business?
I'm not very good at giving
Photo by Cera una bolla
A UNIQUE STORY THAT IS A LITTLE LIKE THE OTHERS
From the heart of a craftsman, to his workshop, and finally to the world. These are stories that are linked together: they begin with a dream that turns into a project.
The path is not always what you expected, and sometimes reality tends to overwhelm poetry. All that remains is to look back and remember why you started, so that you can gather the strength to keep going.
We have told you a story that has inspired us, through the words of its protagonists. Now, to get to know them better, take note:
To discover all Cera una bolla products.
To stay up to date and follow their adventures every day.
