The Fragrance of Luxury: Meet Marie Aude, Founder of Maison Soto

Today I sit down with Marie Aude, the creative force and founder behind Maison Soto, a luxury fragrance house born in the heart of Sotogrande.Discover how Marie translates the essence of this unique place into exclusive perfumes that reflect both luxury and locality. From inspiration and creative process to personal stories and emotional connection to scent, this conversation dives deep into what it means to “bottle a lifestyle.”Whether you're a fragrance lover, creative entrepreneur, or someone passionate about Sotogrande, you won’t want to miss this intimate and inspiring episode.🎙️ Topics Covered:-How Maison Soto was born-What makes a luxury perfume truly personal-The emotional power of scent-Life and inspiration in Sotogrande-Why scent is storytelling0:00 – Welcome to Charlie in Sotogrande – People, passions & places of Sotogrande0:19 – Meet Marie O. Couture – Franco-Swiss perfumer & founder of Mison Sto1:09 – From Paris to Sotogrande – International fragrance career & love for Andalucia3:07 – First Visit in 1997 – Discovering Sotogrande’s plants & flowers in real life4:20 – Why Sotogrande’s Climate is Special – Between the Atlantic & Mediterranean5:54 – Grasse vs Sotogrande – Perfume capitals and hidden natural treasures7:38 – A Perfumer’s Eye for Nature – Spotting rare plants while cycling8:49 – Rock Rose Resin – Andalusian ingredient loved by perfumers worldwide10:49 – Developing the Perfumer’s Nose – Training to recognize 3,000 scents14:09 – Launching Mison Sto in 2022 – A premium Spanish fragrance brand16:43 – Splitting Time Between Geneva & Sotogrande – Staying inspired18:13 – Creating a Brand Identity – Collaboration during the pandemic21:07 – Selling in Sotogrande & Beyond – From Marbella to London and Switzerland22:46 – Made in Spain – Sourcing local materials for sustainable luxury25:32 – Building Without Speaking Spanish – Learning the language while starting up28:56 – Breaking Even After 3 Years – Funding and business growth31:25 – Regulations in Perfumery – Europe’s strict safety standards33:25 – Biggest Challenges in Growing a Brand – From sales to community building35:38 – Where to Find Mison Sto in Sotogrande – Top local shops and partners38:50 – Giving Back to the Community – Future vision for Mison Sto42:16 – What’s Next in 2025 – Focus on home scenting & strategic growth44:32 – Describing Sotogrande in One Sentence – A perfumer’s paradise45:25 – Closing Thoughts – Inspiration, vision, and community spirit👉 Follow Marie and Maison Soto:Instagram: @maison_soto 💬 Leave a comment below — What memory would you turn into a perfume?