For example, The OC was developed with the inspiration of their grandmother's Chinese New Year soup. 

“As a kid, I absolutely hated soups. The concept of drinking food didn’t sit right with me, but, my favourite thing about this particular one, were the goji berries which she added. They would get so plump and I loved biting into them,” Wee shares. “Cheyenne, on the other hand, loved soups but hated the goji berries. She thought them akin to having raisins in the broth. We found it so funny when we realised we both shared the same core memory with such opposing views on the same core element, that we decided to build a scent centred on that ingredient”.

The result? An aromatic and citrusy blend of blood orange, goji berries and amber.

Working with family has its ups and downs. Thankfully for Wee and Naidu, the duo already had a close relationship prior to starting the business, which helped set the foundation for their communication.

“Scents are by nature subjective, so we definitely clash occasionally. Even though we are unalike in many ways, we hold the same values, which have been our strongest and most comforting anchor. It’s actually quite nice working with family because it allows for full transparency, at least for us,” Wee explains.

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Below, the founders share more about working together as a family, balancing their time and embracing equity.

What does the International Women’s Day 2023 campaign theme ‘embrace equity’ mean to you?

Cheyenne Naidu (CN): For us, it means acknowledging that different groups/individuals have different needs, not everyone benefits from the same thing in the same way. To embrace equity is to embrace our differences and address our biases. We think it’s important to recognise that we all don’t walk the same path to success.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to turn their passions into reality?

Sarah Wee (SW): We know this sounds cliché but honestly, you never know until you try. As two people that were genuinely not interested in business, we found our way to this path quite organically. All it took was a decision to get off the couch. Next thing we knew, our little experiment in the kitchen had evolved into a full-fledged business.

How do you balance your time between your various ventures?

SW: Having a great partner definitely helps. We instinctively take the lead on different things at different times because we are aware of each other’s schedules. Having that open communication helps us maximise our efficiency when time is short. Honestly, with today’s economy and work culture in general, it is not rare for people to hold more than one job or pursue more than one passion at a time. When you want something bad enough, you make it work.

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What about your greatest accomplishment to date?

CN: A big turning point was when our first client approached us and asked if we were interested in scent branding. They had heard about Nitwick and wanted us to develop a signature scent for their space on Mohamed Sultan Rd. They gave us full creative control and it was the first time Nitwick moved outside of candles. We got to experiment with different mediums and play with the space. That experience moved Nitwick in a whole new direction and really pushed us to see how far scents could take us. 

What keeps you motivated?

CN: We keep each other motivated, to be honest, and it helps that we are family. Nitwick behind the scenes is really just us cracking up and solving puzzles. When we’re feeling uninspired or exhausted, we know we can look to each other for an energy boost. 

What are your favourite scents which you have created?

CN: Nauti by Nature is one of our favourites at the moment. It pairs notes of seaweed with juniper berries. We wanted to mix our past and present; our favourite childhood snack with our favourite present-day drink, gin (which is made from juniper berries). The odd combination works surprisingly well.

What or who are your inspirations?

SW: Most of our scents are inspired by stories from our childhood or our mixed heritage. Having this insight into different cultures is interesting because we realised they find comfort in similar elements and it’s fun to identify these patterns. Scents are our way of weaving this all together.

How do you build confidence in yourself and what are your tips for others?

CN: One of the biggest lessons learnt is how important having the right mindset or perspective is. Challenges are endless, there is always something around the corner you are not expecting. With each problem we work through, the more confidence we gain.

Nitwick opened up a new world for us, one that we had never considered before, but the more we put ourselves out there, the more opportunities came our way. It just shows us that we are only limited by our imagination and ability to innovate. Not every idea will be your best idea and that’s okay because it teaches you what works and what does not. 

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