Here I am, finally seeing the light in sunny Queensland

My first exposure - "what is this aromatherapy stuff anyway?"

I started getting involved with aromatherapy about nine years ago while watching a video at a friends house. She lit an oil burner and added a few drops of geranium. I thought she was a total fruit loop at the time. And then after a few minutes not only did the room smell sensational, but there was a lovely vibe as well. It was this that motivated me to learn more about this aromatherapy 'stuff'.

I continued in my management/IT job, all very high-powered and technology driven, using cutting-edge communications technology. But I also did a great deal of research and read many many books on aromatherapy. After travelling to India on a holiday, I decided it was time for a career change and started studying natural therapies full-time.

Laziness is the smartest motivation

It was here that I was asked to rote-learn a table of essential oils, their benefits and any related contraindications. I thought this was a silly idea given the database technology available in today's day and age. I also realised that I would never be able to learn everything about every essential oil from just one course. I realised that it would take a lifetime to learn it all. Even doctors refer to reference books for lists of medicines!

I knew what databases were capable of, so I set about creating a database program where I could store all the information I was learning and be able to retrieve it in the quickest and easiest way. I made the SASSI program for myself to make my own life easier. But then people heard about it and there was such a buzz about it that I decided to make it available for everyone. So began Serendipity Aromatherapy.

A year in a dark shed in sunny Queensland...

My friend Jon helped out with creating the first version. We may live in sunny Queensland, but we holed up for about a year in a dark and dingy shed in my backyard, nutting out ideas, experimenting with different things and trying to make the software as simple and user-friendly as possible. We released the first version of SASSI in early in 2002. People loved it but wanted more - and so began version two, followed quickly by the latest version which was released early 2003.

Since the software's release this year, I have received requests for developments such as labels for your bottles and a client/database interface. This product is by no means static - and I am constantly working on new features that you have requested. So keep the suggestions coming!

How did we arrive at the price?

One of the issues we had to face when we finished SASSI was deciding on a price. If it is too cheap then it is unconsciously devalued; if it is too expensive the people who need to use it are unable to. We settled on what we felt was a fair price for a fantastic product.

For the cost of just two or three text books you can do much more than merely read and spend hours cross-referencing. You can collate all your data, add to it and cross-reference it. Your database grows as your own knowledge does. We realised that this software easily pays for itself.

Giving something back

We also donate 10% of the business income to charity at the end of each financial year. During the development stages, we were conscious that we wanted to set up an organisation that could not only generate income, but would also be able to give something back to the community. We also wanted an ethical organisation where all who contributed to the product were rewarded fairly. Many people have made this product possible and I thank them all.

Happy blending,
Christina