Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenneth Labbe
Hi Kenneth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been a fragrance fan. It started when I was a kid and I would go to visit my grandparents during the summer.
I would ask my grandfather for a spray of his fragrance on Sundays before church. He either wore aqua gel a aftershave or Aramis cologne. I was the best smelling kid in the congregation.
During junior high and high school, I wore the standard (loud) teenage fragrances (Joop, Curve, Drakkar Noir) and got some positive reactions from cute girls (and who doesn’t like positive reactions from cute girls)? So, I bought more and wore more (probably wore WAY too much).
In college I continued to buy the mass designer fragrances, but I really didn’t know anything substantial (I just bought familiar names like Bleu De Chanel etc).
I moved to Maryland in 2003 and continued to rack up an ungodly amount of debt from the Macy’s fragrance counter!
In 2005, I discovered the world of YouTube videos that catered to MY specific fragrance fandom. I was introduced to the world of fragrance reviews. I “met” reviewers like Robes08, Dracdoc, Brandon Thompson and mymickers. They opened an ENTIRE world for me to explore the world of niche and designer fragrances.
I continued to visit the Macy’s fragrance counters – but also wanted to branch out to the world of niche perfumery.
After watching MANY MANY hours of YouTube reviews, I started my Instagram account (@labbe_arome2.0) and added pictures of fragrance bottles I had around the house. Back in those days a picture was all you needed to get hundreds of “likes”. That work paid off because I was contacted by Derek Ford of Scent Gents Magazine (based out of Atlanta). He wanted to include me in his online publication, and wanted me to write fragrance reviews. I had never done such a thing before, but my past passions for writing were something I wanted to explore again. I drafted an email to send to small companies to ask them for samples and/or bottles and to my SHOCK most were happy to send me product to write about.
I went to my first fragrance industry event in New York in 2019. It was the launch party at the Parfums De Marly boutique and they were launching their fragrance -Sedley. I met most of the New York based fragrance reviewers that I had come to know from my many hours spent scouring YouTube. They embraced me and my eyes were opened to the world of niche perfumery.
Soon after that event, I decided to start my own YouTube channel (Labbe Arome). I knew that the market was (and still is) saturated with fragrance content so I needed to stand out. I embarked on a mission. I named myself “The Disabled Fragrance Guy” (I’m a person with a disability)….and I love fragrance. I also know that the fragrance industry caters to THEIR idea of what’s and who’s “beautiful” and that often excludes people with disabilities. So, through my content creation, I want to lend a voice to those who need representation in the disabled community because as of 2018, the disabled community had over a half TRILLION dollars of disposables income.
Imagine if we came across a brand that highlighted a person in a wheelchair holding their product, or an amputee, or a person on crutches like myself. The disabled community would be more keen to discover that brand, make purchases from that brand and recommend that brand to family, friends, caretakers etc. Representation is absolutely possible and it is IMPERATIVE in this space.
Today, I have over 19K Instagram followers, 3K YouTube subscribers. I put out weekly content. I also travel as much as I can to industry events like the Esxence Perfumery Event in Milan, Italy that is held once a year and ScentXplore in New York that’s held the first weekend in December. I believe that by being SEEN at these events, representation can be had and that one day soon, you’ll see the folks that actually BUY fragrances on billboards and not celebrities who get paid to hold a bottle.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The fragrance industry caters to their standards of “beauty”. It’s been a challenge to change the perception of what and WHO is beautiful.
I’ve been told many times that “fragrance is for everyone”. If you’re t truly is for everyone, then I should see disabled people in marketing campaigns, on billboards, in commercials…and I don’t see that (yet).
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my full time job, I am a public affairs specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency. I’ve loved public affairs since college and I love being engaged with the community in all aspects.
My true passion however lies in content creation and fragrance branding/messaging and helping others find what scents move them.
I’m most proud of where I’ve landed in life.. I grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. That’s truly HOME to me. Most of my friends never left, and that works for them and that’s wonderful. I did. I’ve traveled both nationally and internationally. I’ve met AMAZING people. I never thought I’d end up in Washington, D.C. let alone traveling the world smelling creative interpretations of scents. It’s been an amazing ride so far and I’m looking forward to more.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m willing to take the risk. I’m willing to go wherever (even if I’ve never been there before). I’m willing to have the face-to-face (or virtual) meeting.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I love taking (calculated) risks. Taking a risk for risks sake isn’t what I do. If I’m going to do something, I try to weigh the pros and cons and what both myself and the other party can take away from the experience.
Pricing:
- YouTube Review $150-$200
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @labbe_arome2.0
