Story & Lesson Highlights with Nisa Ruiz of West Hollywood

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nisa Ruiz . Check out our conversation below.

Nisa , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something that brings me joy right now is creating fragrances and doing a fun makeup look. I’ve been so proud of my creations lately. Just to create it helps clear my mind and brings me peace at the current moment.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Nisa, I am the owner and founder of Tierra Dulce Fragrances. I am a mua, model, and a full time chemist (to pay the bills)
I recently came out with my fragrance brand Tierra Dulce, it is a luxury fragrance oil brand that has unique scents and it is vegan, so it really is from la Tierra. The name was easy because it’s my name and I wanted to honor my Mexican heritage.
I’m pretty determined because I started this cause I couldn’t get a job as a formulator, and this perfume school that I’ve been applying to since 2016. So I said “I’ll just do it myself!” Cause just because the doors are closed doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant for me. Sometimes the closed doors is the path to the open door. And that’s what starting my brand is.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
That’s easy, my mother.
My mother has always seen the light in me.
Always been cheering for me and supporting me. There had been so many situations when she was the only one at the end of my lane, dang I’m choking up now.
I faced a lot of adversity growing up. A lot of people telling me I shouldn’t be this and that and I’m not this and that. At some points of my life I believed it but my mother never let me stay there for long, always letting me know I’m smart, beautiful, and I will be great.
My mommy she instilled the confidence and drive in me. She always said you can and do whatever you want, nothing is impossible. So here I am doing everything I want lol
She even helped me with my start Tierra Dulce is 2017! I’m telling you #1 supporter!
She’s my rock.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes!
I did give up! I gave up starting my brand.
I gave up because I didn’t like the scents I was creating and I was truly tapped out. At the time I was working two part time jobs, an internship, and barely had enough to pay rent and buy groceries. But again I did move to Brooklyn one of the most expensive cities (what can I say I have expensive taste lol)
But even after I got my first chemist job, I still applied for this perfume school in France! I got rejected every single year. I applied for cosmetics chemist positions. I got rejected by every single job posting.
I said well maybe I’m not meant to work in this field. Maybe I should just give it up.
Then one day as I was working, I said no, I’m going to make my own brand. It will be popular, and I will be able to give people who are like me opportunities.
The goal of my brand is to employ others, especially black woman who don’t get job opportunities as often. If we do we have to jump through hoops to get there and stay there.

This has been to have my own fragrance brand since I was 10 playing with my cousin’s perfume: it was love at first sight.
Younger me would be so proud and happy and current me is so proud of myself for not giving up.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A project that I’m committed to and getting my business big enough to provide jobs that pay well and creating an excellent work environment that makes others happy and have a purpose.
Especially black women. As a black woman with a Hispanic last name, I do not get a lot of job opportunities, in this science field. It’s a struggle. When I do get a job, I have to face and endure the ignorance of others about my black American culture. As well jumping through hoops to get a higher position or a higher wage. It’s exhausting.

Because I’ve endured the worst of it. I know what not to do with my business and what to do and how to treat others with kindness because you truly never what they are going through.
I don’t believe in making others jump through hoops especially if there is only a certain backgrounds jumping through them.

So I’m committed to getting my business there so that I can supply the best work environment and benefits!

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Quit my job and take out my 401k, and go see all the continents I want and just go see the world. I really want to travel especially as I enter my 30’s I’m itching to get my passport full these days.
Also just stay somewhere on an island and spend the rest of my days there. I just want to be in nature by the trees and water.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tierradulcefragrances.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: @tierradulce_fragrance

Image Credits
Photos of Fragrances by: Garrett Owens
Design of Tierra Dulce by: Jade Bell