Today we’d like to introduce you to Umbelina Cantu.
Hi Umbelina, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I wanted to share the story behind Wild and Woman, because it’s a journey that deeply influences these fragrances and my unique brand.
It all started unexpectedly one evening in Laguna Beach. I was bartending, mixing margaritas, when a local women’s boutique owner caught a whiff of my Amber perfume. “What’s that scent?” she asked. When I told her it was my own creation, she insisted on carrying it in her shop. The next day, I packaged it up — and it sold out in just two days. That spark ignited something bigger. Calls began pouring in from Steamboat Springs, Montauk, and Dallas — boutiques eager to stock this scent their customers had discovered on holiday in Laguna.
I’ve always been driven by a love for crafting beautiful, ethical fragrances, and now the roll-on perfume oils bring that vision to life.
The perfumes are more than just scents; they’re a reflection of passion, serendipity, and a commitment to empowering individuality. I’m dedicated to using sustainably sourced, cruelty-free ingredients to create fragrances you can truly feel good wearing.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey hasn’t been without its bumps, but that’s where the growth happens. What began with just $300 of personal investment has evolved into a self-funded brand built entirely without outside capital. As a woman-founded small business, I’ve embraced slow, intentional scaling — learning from every challenge and celebrating each breakthrough along the way. That mindset has opened the door to collaboration and expansion, allowing new teams to join and help shape the next chapter. We’re currently exploring a refined rebrand and elevated packaging direction, as well as reformulating our fragrances to meet Ulta Beauty’s Clean standards. My goal is to see Wild and Woman on their shelves one day, expanding the brand into its full potential. Growth remains the goal — and I’m endlessly grateful for it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Wild and Woman. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Wild and Woman is a lifestyle-beauty brand rooted in self-expression. We began with curating MCT oil-based perfume oils named after female personas designed to celebrate individuality — each scent meant to embody a feeling, a mood, or a moment of freedom. Known for our aesthetic our approach has always been intentional: we create products that feel personal, not mass-produced. What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and design — every detail, from the scent notes to the creative direction, reflects our belief that beauty should feel effortless. What I’m most proud of is the organic growth of the brand; we’ve built a loyal community of women who see Wild and Woman as more than a product — it’s a lifestyle.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I was born and raised in Texas, so let’s just say California was a world away from oil towns and oversized portions — it was the complete opposite. My first taste of Southern California came during a summer internship with Paul Frank Industries in Costa Mesa, where I discovered a community of people who expressed their stories and creativity with freedom and confidence. Collaboration wasn’t just encouraged — it was a way of life. I was inspired by entrepreneurs who built their dreams simply by taking a chance on their creativity. Out here, life feels beautifully simple: as long as the sun is shining and you’re in the ocean, desert, or mountains on a Monday, it’s not a bad life.
Pricing:
- $56 for 15ml roll on
- $10 for 1ml sample vial
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wildandwoman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_and_woman/
Image Credits
Lauryn and Taylor Alvarez
