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Our Team
At The Fragrance Boutique, we invite you to meet our team of dedicated artisans and fragrance experts who are passionate about crafting exclusive scents inspired by the mesmerizing elements of Laguna Beach. With meticulous attention to detail, we blend invigorating waves, delicate wildflowers, and endless summers to encapsulate the essence of our coastal haven. Join us on a bespoke fragrance journey and experience the beauty of Laguna Beach through the expertise and creativity of our team.
Meet the Owner
James Conti
As a lifelong educator and avid surfer, James spent decades teaching at Southern California’s most respected private schools, including The Pegasus School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School. As an AP U.S. History teacher, he wasn’t just lecturing about facts; he was building a generation of thinkers. He founded Pegasus’s nationally recognized debate program, empowering shy but smart students to speak up. That same spirit of transformation now lives at The Fragrance Boutique.
With a heart rooted in connection and a life shaped by the ocean, James is as passionate about people as he is about scent. He’s surfed around the globe, learning about cultures, values, and what truly matters: presence and respect for all. He still surfs four to five times a week and brings his love for nature into every sustainable choice made at the boutique.
James is also the co-founder and CEO of Wings for Crossover, a nonprofit that connects students in need with school communities in Ghana. These exchanges have been life-changing for everyone involved, affirming James’s belief that the most powerful growth comes from human connection.
Today, James is known as the "Scent Professor." He’s blended his teaching expertise with an encyclopedic knowledge of fragrance, transforming The Fragrance Boutique into more than a store—it’s an immersive, educational journey. Customers are guided through the history, science, and emotion of scent, uncovering personal narratives along the way. Under his leadership, the team at TFB has become a community of storytellers and scent scholars, trained to offer a deeply personal, elevated experience. Each visit is designed to inspire, educate, and connect—because for James, fragrance is never just about perfume. It’s about people, memory, and meaning.
Boutique Manager & Perfumer
Breanna
Introducing Breanna, a skilled perfumer and painter who has been working at The Fragrance Boutique for almost six years, exploring the how much vanilla it’s possible to include in a fragrance before she’s the cause of a national shortage. Her favorite fragrances include Baccarat Rouge, Fantasy, Prada Candy, Cloud, Show Fairy, and Bare Vanilla, and she loves helping customers make warm, gourmand fragrances. Aside from painting and perfumes, Breanna is passionate about reading, Stardew Valley, cooking (with varied success), gardening (also with varied success) and petting the dogs that people bring into the store.
Perfumer
Sonny
Introducing Sonny, our exceptional perfumer and talented artist, as well as the gallery owner of Studio 333, just across from The Fragrance Boutique in the alleyway. Sonny’s expertise in fragrance creation, combined with an artistic flair, brings an enchanting touch to every custom scent. Studio 333 also offers unique event enhancements, including gallery space reservations, art classes, and more. Experience the artistry of Sonny’s fragrances and immerse yourself in a world where scent and creativity intertwine.
Perfumer
Susanna
My name is Susanna, and I’ve been obsessed with fragrance since my high school bath and body works days. My background is in organic chemistry, and I’ve been at the fragrance boutique since February. I like both soft and bright scents (as long as it’s not too floral), and my favorite note is black currant.
Perfumer
Mia
Introducing Mia, a talented perfumer and the face of much of The Fragrance Boutique's stunning photography. Mia spends her summers with the shop, capable of anything that comes up!
Perfumer
Cecil
Meet Cecil, one of our skilled perfumers at the fragrance boutique. Ever since she was young, she always loved fragrance. One lifetime of perfume shopping addiction later, she has joined our staff hoping to make unique fragrances for everyone who comes in. Outside of the store, Cecil is a radio show host and loves video games, playing guitar, and relaxing
Perfumer
Alexis
Alexis has a soft spot for the sensory and the soulful—drawn to the quiet power of fragrance and the comfort of being around animals. There’s something thoughtful and a little mysterious about her, reflected in her love for Stygian Blue, a color that feels deep, rich, and introspective. She notices the small details others might miss, whether it’s a subtle scent or an animal’s mood, and that gives her a calm, observant presence. Altogether, she comes across as someone who is gentle, perceptive, and quietly expressive in her own unique way.
Perfumer
Corinne
Introducing Corinne, our skilled perfumer at The Fragrance Boutique. With a keen sense of creativity and expertise, Corinne meticulously crafts captivating scents that enchant the senses. Discover the artistry behind Corrine's creations and immerse yourself in the world of bespoke fragrance.
Perfumer
Sydney
Introducing Sydney, our talented perfumer at The Fragrance Boutique. With an extraordinary sense of creativity and precision, Sydney crafts enchanting scents that captivate the senses. Experience the magic behind Sydney's bespoke creations and immerse yourself in a world of personalized fragrance.
Human Resources
Ally
Meet Ally, a critical part of the team who effortlessly maintains the HR side of business, and is a critical part in bringing our newest products to life!