Tara Derakshan is one of the two founders behind the popular fragrance service Sniph. She will tell us more about how she and her co-founder, Lisa, are transforming a traditional industry through innovation and passion. Tara shares how we can all create a magical scent wardrobe, as well as why she would rather ask for forgiveness than permission. Also, discover which scent best characterizes the STINAA.J woman.
So tell us, Tara, what is your story?
I’m a curious, scent-loving person with a passion for discovering and exploring the finer things in life. Beauty and fragrance have always been huge passions of mine, and I have long used different scents as a way to express myself.
My bathroom is filled with perfumes and scented candles, let’s not even go there… An old boyfriend of mine even started hiding them in different cupboards because I kept buying so many, haha!
Working with fragrance was not something I originally planned, though. My background is in tech and marketing, and I used to travel a lot for work. That was when I realized the incredible power scents carry and how they allow us to step into different roles, shift our mood, or simply become more present in the moment.
Today, my life revolves around helping others discover amazing emotions and experiences through scent. The more fragrances you get to discover throughout life, the better. Life is simply too short for anything else.
Would you say that you are a born entrepreneur?
Absolutely. I always knew that one day I would run my own company; I just did not know when or what it would be. For a long time, I was searching for the right idea and the right timing.
I have always loved solving problems and making things happen.
Would it be fair to say that you built a company out of passion?
Sniph was definitely born out of a genuine passion for fragrance and scent. That passion made my co-founder Lisa and me realize that there was no easy way to discover new fragrances to fall in love with.
Personally, I love everything that makes life feel richer and more enjoyable, so anything connected to our senses truly inspires me. Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful and deeply connected to emotion, which is why I feel very passionate about working in the world of fragrance.
What was the factor that made Sniph go from an idea to an actual company? 
We decided to simply test the concept, and once we had reached our first 100 customers, we realized there was a genuine demand for what we were trying to create. That was when we decided to go all in.
At the same time, timing played a big role. Both of us were working within marketing at different companies, and we had reached a point where we finally felt we had enough experience and enough confidence in ourselves to take the next step.
Ultimately, I think it came down to a feeling of: “If we don’t do this, somebody else will.” The idea felt too strong to ignore, and we realized we really had nothing to lose.
We share a similar ambition to challenge and innovate within a traditional industry. Tell us more about!
With Sniph, we wanted to take something traditionally seen as exclusive or difficult to navigate and make it more accessible. Our goal has always been to help people discover and experience amazing fragrances from some of the world’s leading perfume houses.
Most people tend to stay loyal to one fragrance because buying a full bottle of something new can feel like a risk. We wanted to change that by turning fragrance into a service rather than just a product.
Instead of committing to one bottle, our members get the opportunity to discover 12 different scents each year, for roughly the same cost as one traditional luxury perfume bottle. We curate fragrances from some of the world’s most respected perfume houses and deliver them directly to your home.
The idea is to help people create a personal fragrance wardrobe for different moods, moments, and occasions. Simply put, we want to send a little surprise to your mailbox every month.
Has your strategy for the company evolved, or has it stayed the same?
We originally started as a “Black Box” subscription service, and over time, we expanded the concept to also include full-size bottles for members who discover a fragrance they truly love and want to commit to.
As the company has grown, we have spent a lot of time listening to what our members are asking for and adapting the experience accordingly. At its core, though, the business model has remained very similar: helping people discover new scents and build a fragrance wardrobe for different moods and parts of life.
We are so proud that you selected a specific scent for our customers. Tell us how you chose a fragrance for the STINAA.J woman!
For Stinaa.J, we selected CLIVE CHRISTIAN – OC X Feminine because we truly felt it reflects the essence of the Stinaa.J woman. To us, she is someone who wants the very best for herself while still feeling comfortable and confident in who she is. She is constantly on the move, and making a lasting impression matters to her.
We believe this fragrance captures the many different versions of a woman, shaped by the different roles she steps into throughout life. It also feels like the perfect scent for summer.
Clive Christian creates some of the world’s most luxurious fragrances, combining traditional craftsmanship with a highly contemporary perspective. X Feminine from the Original Collection is a deep and sophisticated fragrance with notes of Egyptian jasmine, peach, and musk. It has a captivating way of reinterpreting classic perfumery and is truly a scent that turns heads.
What would you like to say to future founders and entrepreneurs? What is your best advice for someone thinking about starting their own business?
Something that has really defined us at Sniph is that we would rather ask for forgiveness than permission, haha. At some point, you simply have to stop waiting for everything to be perfect and focus on finding your very first customers.
Once you have them, keep going. You do not need to have every detail figured out before you begin. Trust your ability to solve problems and grow along the way.
This interview series was created to highlight and empower female entrepreneurs by allowing them to share their stories in their own words. If you would like to discover more of Tara and Sniph, follow them on Instagram, where they share stories behind their fragrances as well as inspiration for living your best life.
Visit Sniph’s website to learn more about their fragrance subscription service and discover your next favorite scent. If you have any questions or thoughts you would like to share, feel free to contact us at info@stinaaj.com.
