In Indie Perfume Brand Spotlight, we question different brands to find out more about their brand and the people behind it. This time we question Boris Zrnic of Boka.
About You
Tell us who you are?
My name is Boris Zrnic and I’m the owner/perfumer of Boka. I was born to two Serbian immigrants in Chicago, IL, USA. I’m the middle child of three and currently live outside of Seattle, Washington with my fiancé and our two ragdoll cats
How did you get into the perfume industry?
I’ve had a passion for perfume since I was a little kid. My dad would wear the standards such as, Drakkar Noir and I was always trying get a few sprays. As I got older and started working at age 16, I would go to Macy’s and pick out a signature scent. Fast forward to 2020, after years of reading perfumery books and exploring the vast world of indie and niche perfume, I decided to begin my journey as a perfumer.
What was the first perfume you ever purchased?
My first perfume purchase was CK One.
What is your favourite meal?
My favorite meal is a medium rare ribeye with mashed potatoes and grilled veggies
Where is your favourite place?
My favorite place is a family gathering where we enjoy good Serbian food, rakija and coffee
Do you have an interesting party trick or any hidden talents?
I can draw better than average
Who would play you in a film of your life?
Maybe Jake Gyllenhaal
About your Brand
Describe your brand in one sentence.
Describe your brand in one sentence. Small batch fragrances handcrafted in the U.S. utilizing the finest oils and essences.
Where does the name of your brand come from?
Boka is my childhood nickname
Who are your perfumes for?
For anyone that wants to be transported to a particular time or place; someone who wants to experience uniqueness and wearability
Tell us about your latest perfume.
I wanted to make the best Vetiver scent to me, and the result was Zelen. My second perfume is releasing in a few months and I’m excited to share more details in the coming weeks!
If someone wanted to try your fragrances, which one would you recommend they try first and why?
Zelen is a Vetiver for everyone; I made it in a way that the Vetiver remains the focal point throughout, but also doesn’t get too earthy, for those who may not be in love with the note.
What challenges do you want to overcome for your brand?
One of the challenges we face, is being able to reach our potential clients outside of North America. I am working diligently on this.
What is unique about your brand?
It took me three years to launch Boka because I wanted to make sure it was as unique as possible and that every bottle sent out, is a piece of art. From the shipping box, book cloth wrapped box, to the hand sealed eco-friendly wrap, everything is custom. The cap used for Zelen is hand chiseled Carrara marble and no two are the same. Boka is hand-crafted here in the US.
Find out more about Boka on their website
About the Author
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