ÇaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery: Kathy Saunders of Terranova Natural Perfumes + A Family Affair Draw

kathy saunders terranova

Kathy Saunders of Terranova

Profile:  I was physically born in Oakland, CA but was raised in Berkley, CA along with my older sister and co-owner, Ann Saunders.  I graduated as a dance major at UCLA and obtained my MBA from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.  I’m currently the creative leg of the business, while my sister, Ann, who has owned and operated retail stores in Washington D.C. and Aspen, Colorado, has been instrumental in starting and developing our wholesale business.

 1975 kathy jane ann saunders terranova

Ann, Jane and Kathy SaundersTerranova is a Family affair

My mom and founder, Jane Saunders, was a decorative arts graduate of UC Berkley in the 1930s and was a tremendous trend setter during her day.  With $750 and a dream, my mom started the business, at age 50, as a store front in Berkley, CA back in the 70s.  During this time she became a trend setter in many ways by being the first to use natural botanical oils, essential oils, and vegetable based glycerin in her body products.

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Ann and I had this business coursing through our blood at an early age!  Although the business kept mom busy, she always involved us in her travels.  I remember one trip where we traveled to visit an Indian Chief at a Southwestern Indian Reservation to purchase jojoba oil where it was grown and harvested!  She also included us in her decisions and we always had jobs (and so did our friends).  Our friends thought she was the coolest mom in Berkeley (no small feat in the 70s)!

terranove china white, patchouli, china lily china musk

Having growing up in the fragrance business, we developed a deep love of the nature of fragrance and the memories it creates.  At mom’s shop, we would blend natural essential oils with other ingredients to create “indie” perfumes and sold alternative fragrances such as Strawberry Yogurt, Patchouli (which was big seller in the 70s), and other perennial favorites like China Musk™, China Rain™, China Lily™, and Rain™ (a fantasy, floral musk) which was our first signature fragrance and continues to be a popular, top-seller for us today!

On American Perfumery:  When I think of what it means to be a Indie Natural American Perfumer, I think of ourselves as artists that create fragrances that reflect the free spirit, individuality and authenticity of the individual wearing it.

terranova perfumes island escape

When we started our business in the 70s Berkeley was, and still is, filled with “free spirits” who were looking to express their individuality.  They wanted a scent that they couldn’t get from mass produced fragrances sold at big box retailers and we were happy to fill that need. We also pride ourselves on the ability to create authenticity in all our fragrances.  During the creative process of creating our Island Escapes Collection™, for instance, we actually procured flowers directly from the lei stands in Hawaii to replicate the aroma and capture “The Aloha Spirit.”  Because of our focus on authenticity, our Island Escapes Collection™ (which includes tropical floral fragrances like Pikake, Gardenia, Tuberose, Plumeria, White Ginger, and Tiare Lei™) is the premier fragrance brand in Hawaii!

Thiebaud___Two_Kneeling_Figures 1966

Wayne Thiebaud  Two Kneeling Figures 1966

Favorite American Artist:  My sister, Ann, was an Art History and French Major at the University of California in Davis.  So art and travel has filled her life and is a continuous source of inspiration.  During her studies, she was lucky to have famed California artist, Wayne Thiebaud, as her art teacher.  He represents a fun, colorful, and spirited California style that is reflected in the Terranova® spirit!

pompandcircumstance eugene savage 1940 hawaiian art deco

Pomp and Circumstances Eugene Savage 1940 an example of Hawaii inspired Art Deco

As for me, I love the Pacific!  During my travels to Hawaii, I was moved by the murals on display at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel by Hawaiian artist Eugene Savage and Frank McIntosh.  These stupendous works of art, from the 1930’s and 40’s, were created in such a glamorous time in California and Hawaiian history that we actually have them featured on the packaging of Terranova®’s Island Escape Collection™!

Kathy Saunders, Co owner of Terranova Natural Fragrances

terranova gardenia aire sheablossom perfumes body lotion bath gel gift set

Terranova Gifts Sets !  Gardenia, Aire and Shea Blossom

Thanks to Kathy, Jane and Ann Saunders of Terranova we have a readers choice of Aire, Rain ,Shea Blossom,  Plumeria Pikake Gardenia or Tiare Lei Gift Set (includes a full size all natural Body Lotion, Body Wash,  Perfume Essence and Invigorating Body Sponge).  To be eligible, you must live in the US, be a registered  CaFleureBon reader.  Please leave a comment with what you found fascinating about Kathy Saunders. I am sure they would appreciate it if you LIKE Terranova on Facebook here or instagram @terranovabody. Draw closes May 24, 2015

Please like CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery and your entry will count twice.

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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11 comments

  • Strawberry yogurt as a perfume? Very creative! I am a registered reader, and I’d love to win the Pikake gift set. I am in the US. Thanks!

  • I am one of those free spirited 70’s peoples! I love Hawaii. If I win I’d love to sample the Pikake.
    Congrats on your anniversary!
    I am in the US and have liked the fabulous American Perfumers page.

  • fazalcheema says:

    I really enjoyed that story where the mom took her daughters to the Indian Chief to obtain Jojoba Oil. It must have been an amazing experience. i also find Native Indian Culture quite fascinating and would love the opportunity to observe culture in native setting. thanks so much for the lovely draw. I am already a member of CaFleureBon Profiles in American Perfumery Facebook community. I am in the US

  • It’s fascinating how $750 and a dream grew. I’d love to win the Rain package. 🙂 USA

  • JazzBelle says:

    I’ve been obsessed with Terra Nova’s perfume essences for as long as I can remember! I love the spirit that this company evokes. Jane Saunders was a cosmetics pioneer and so ahead of her time! She also had a great business sense (from $750!), while never compromising her integrity and that of her business.

    What I find fascinating about Kathy Saunders is the fact that she graduated as a dance major and also has an MBA. Kathy’s creativity and artistic sense, combined with her savvy business skills, is very apparent in the way Terra Nova is run. Terra Nova has great customer service as well as gorgeous fragrances and beautiful packaging. I also find it fascinating that Kathy and Ann continued their mother’s legacy and vision, while also growing the company and adapting the products so they remain fresh and modern.

    My favorite thing about this article is the fact that Terra Nova has been an indie perfume line way before niche and indie perfumes were all the rage! I first discovered Rain and became obsessed with it. I love the way it blends with your skin and no two people wearing this scent will smell the same – it becomes almost a part of you. Then I discovered the Hawaiian essences and loved those scents.

    I have yet to try Aire, so that would be the fragrance I’d choose to win for this contest.

    I hope Terra Nova will always remain in the Saunders family and will be around for decades to come!

    I’m in the US and have liked the American Perfumery Facebook page as well as the Terra Nova page.

  • Kathy Saunders loves the Pacific and has fragrances based on Hawaii. Wonderful. I love Hawaii more than I could ever express…….and the ever-present smell of flowers in the air. It’s very hard to decide but I would like to try Plumeria, since those are the flowers I most connect with Hawaii. US.

  • luvmarley says:

    I loved this article. The hippie/dreamer in me loved the success story and the frag lover loved the idea of growing up around scents and learning about them. I am in the US and liked both FB pages.

  • Rain was one of my favorite scents when I first began developing an interest in perfume many years ago. Karen is lucky to have such an inspiring Mother and to be brought up in a family business of scent! I would love to try the Pikake line. Thanks for the draw. I am in the USA

  • Great article….I was young during the hippie days, but always envisioned myself traveling throughout the US in one of those old VW buses. Love the fact that the daughters became involved into this business with their mother and that their mother involved them in her travels to obtain ingredients to create fragrances. I think Rain piqued my interest. Thank you for the opportunity and yes I am in the US.

  • I found it fascinating that Kathy Saunders strives for authenticity in her fragrances and goes to great lengths to achieve it. I live in the US and Liked and followed.