Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamera Stewart.
Hi Shamera, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story brings together two things I love: fragrance and bringing people together. Professionally, I work in meetings and events, so creating experiences where people can connect has been a big part of my life. Through my own interest in fragrance, I found another way to do that.
I began sharing fragrance reviews, layering combinations, and recommendations online as @vafragrancegirly in August 2024. I love talking about how a scent makes you feel, the memories it brings back, and the confidence it can give you. Sharing that interest allowed me to connect with people who were just as excited about fragrance as I was.
In February 2025, I founded Virginia Scent Society because I wanted to create more opportunities for those connections here in Virginia. I wanted people to have a place to talk about their favorites, discover something new, and meet others who shared their interest. Since then, the community has grown to more than 1,500 members and followers across platforms, and we’ve hosted events throughout the state, including fragrance swaps, shopping experiences, and gatherings with brands and local businesses.
My background in event planning has helped me bring these ideas to life, but the people are what make them meaningful. Seeing someone come to an event alone and leave with new friends is one of my favorite parts of this work.
Today, I’m continuing to grow as a fragrance creator, community founder, and event curator. I’m proud of what I’ve built while balancing a full-time career, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. At the heart of it all, I want to help people feel confident in how they show up and create spaces where they feel welcome, connected, and excited to be themselves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been balancing a full-time career with creating content and building Virginia Scent Society. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, including planning events, coordinating with partners, promoting experiences, and staying engaged with the community. Even when you love what you’re doing, finding the time and energy for all of it can be difficult.
I’ve also had to learn to give myself permission to start before I have everything figured out. It’s easy to overthink an idea or feel like every detail needs to be perfect before you put it out into the world. Building something of my own has meant trusting my experience, being willing to learn as I go, and getting more comfortable with being seen!
Another challenge is figuring out how to make the work sustainable while keeping the experiences welcoming and worthwhile. I care about what people walk away with, and I want to continue growing without losing the personal connection that makes this community special.
I’m still learning, but I’ve become more confident in my ideas and more intentional about where I put my energy. Seeing people show up, connect, and come back reminds me why I started and gives me the motivation to keep going.
We’ve been impressed with Virginia Scent Society, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Virginia Scent Society brings fragrance lovers together through swaps, social gatherings, shopping experiences, and collaborations with brands and local businesses across Virginia. Our events give people opportunities to discover new scents, share their favorites, and connect in person.
We’re especially known for our fragrance swaps, where guests exchange bottles, samples, and decants from their collections. We also offer interactive activities and workshops that make exploring fragrance fun and approachable. You don’t need a huge collection or know every fragrance note to join us. Curiosity is enough!
What sets us apart is the combination of my professional event planning experience and my love of fragrance. I’m intentional about creating welcoming experiences where people feel comfortable coming alone and meeting someone new.
I’m most proud of the connections people are making through Virginia Scent Society. Seeing guests return, bring friends, and form friendships reminds me why this work matters!
My hope is that fragrance brands, retailers, and larger companies recognize how much enthusiasm and opportunity exists here in Virginia. We have a passionate community eager to discover and experience their products, and I want to see more investment in local events, brand experiences, and a wider fragrance selection in our stores. Through Virginia Scent Society, I’m helping make that community more visible and showing why Virginia deserves their attention.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love the She’s So Lucky podcast, and I’m a huge follower of Jodie Taylor’s Substack and her content on leveling up. I’m drawn to conversations that encourage me to think bigger, trust myself, and be intentional about the life I’m building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luma.com/virginiascentsociety
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vafragrancegirly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/virginiascentsociety
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@vafragrancegirly
- Other: Virginia Scent Society IG: https://www.instagram.com/virginiascentsociety/
