Escents Says Happy Mother's Day
At Escents, we love our Moms! We love them so much, we wanted you to know how much we appreciate them for all that they've done for us. Here's a little video of our Escents staff explaining why they love their Moms, just in time for Mother's Day!
Escents Aromatherapy Takes on West 4th!
Posted by Admin on 12/2/2011
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Escents is proud to welcome a ninth store to its lineup this weekend; the newest is on West 4th Avenue in Vancouver. Close, but still far enough away from our Broadway location, this new store will have charm all its own, with its cozy fireplace, garage-style door that will let in plenty of light and air in the summer, and a spacious open concept.
The store will feature the full line of Escents essential oils, aroma blends, bath and wellness products that you've come to love. We invite you to pop in for a visit - our elves are working diligently to get everything ready for you.
Here's some photos from earlier today as we were hard at work:
Stay tuned for grand opening details and specials!
Where would like to see the NEXT Escents store open up?
 Our Run for the Cure in Memory of Jessica Leavitt
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 9/29/2011
to Wellness
 On Sun. Oct. 2, Escents will be entering a team in Run for the Cure. We are dedicating our run to the memory of Jessica Leavitt, Escents' Operations Leader who passed away suddenly on September 17th. She is survived by her husband and her daughter and son. Jessica had been with Escents for years, and was truly the embodiment of all this company stands for. The thing we will remember her most for was her positivity; she signed off every email with "Make it a great day!" and she truly lived by her words. She always gave her best and expected nothing less from every single member of her team, and her passing has left a giant hole in our hearts. We can only seek to follow her example and do our best to always, "Make it a great day."
Breast Cancer Awareness
We aren't always able to do anything about the cards that are dealt to us in life, but with breast cancer there are many things that can be done to reduce the risks and potentially its severity. Awareness is the key. That's why we believe so strongly in all the various activities the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation does. Their goal is to not only fund research for the cure, but also to raise awareness to minimize the impact of this disease.
Risk Reduction
Some risk factors, such as age and family history, are non-modifiable, meaning there is nothing that can be done to change them. There are, however, a number of modifiable risk factors, such as body weight, physical activity, alcohol use, exposure to tobacco smoke, etc, that can be changed to reduce your risks of developing breast cancer. Read more about established risk factors.
Early Detection
If breast cancer can be detected at an early stage of development, the chances of successful treatment are usually better. It can allow for a greater variety of treatment options like less aggressive treatment or breast conserving surgery. The 2 most common forms of breast screening are clinical breast examinations and screening mammography. You can also learn to become more " breast aware" by knowing how your breasts normally look and feel so that if you notice any significant changes you can have them checked by a doctor.
Run with or Support the Escents Team
Want to get involved with Run for the Cure? We are inviting everyone to join or support our team and receive special rewards for their efforts. Our goal is to raise at least $1,500, but we hope to do even better.
There are 2 ways you can get involved:
1) Run with the Escents team. Join our team and get a free Red Rose Soy Jar Candle, plus a 15% discount on any single purchase at our retail stores. You'll also get a special Escents team t-shirt.
2) Donate to support the Escents team. If you support our team by making a donation, you'll get a FREE Red Rose Hand Repair Cream, plus a 15% discount on any single purchase at our retail stores.
Jacqui MacNeill
Running for the Cure!
Posted by Admin on 9/14/2011
to Wellness
All of us here at Escents are busy preparing for the CIBC Run for the Cure on October 2nd by fundrasing and lacing up our shoes. We would love to have you either join our team for the race or make a donation to help us reach our goals and we are provding some fun incentives to do so!
While we have a lot of enthusiasm for the race amongst our staff, there was some hesitation from some who had perhaps never entered a race before, or even run, period, and many nuggets of advise have been passed around as we encourage our fellow staffers to join in the fun of race day.
Here are just a few of the tips we have compiled to help you along if you're new to running or are joining in the the run on October 2 just for the spirit of community and awareness for a great cause.
Equipment: It's important to wear a comfortable and supportive shoe for any phyiscal activity, and most of us can find something suitable to wear for a 5k run. If you're considering a longer term training schedule (perhaps looking at a 10k or something even longer in your future), it really is best to visit a running store to be properly fit for a good pair of shoes. Running doesn't require a lot of equipment like skiing or rock climbing, so investing in a pair of shoes to train with will be next to the only thing you have to buy. This brings us to sports bras. Ladies, if you're planning to stick with a running program, this is another item you may want to spend some time and money on and get one that really works for you.
Start Slow: You can't expect to go out running for the first time and be able to keep going for any great distance at any great speed - it just doesn't work that way. Having a beginner's training program can be very helpful in easing you into running with a walk/run routine that gradually increases your indurance. We like the Couch to 5K Progam (there's even a phone app to help you) and any of the recommendations by renowned running coach, Hal Higdon. At the very least, these resources can show you that there is no shame in walking and that progress should be gradual and also fun.
Nurture Yourself: Try to eat well and fuel your body with nutritious, fresh choices. Hydrate before, during and after a run. Another part of any training program (and life) is rest. Make sure you get enough sleep and don't overtrain; your muscles need recovery time to get stronger for your next run.
Enlist Help: With the cooler days ahead of us, it's not always going to be all that enticing to leave a warm spot on the sofa to head out for some exercise. If you have your family supporting you and holding you accountable to any changes you'd like to make, it will be that much easier to reach your goals. Consider making a date to walk or run with a friend so you can spend some time together; it's unlikely that you'll wimp out on your training if someone is waiting to do it with you.
Record and Celebrate: As you train, keep track of how you're doing on a calendar or in a training log. When you have a discouraging day, you can easily look back and see just how far you've come, and you'll also have evidence to support a celebration when you reach a milestone (like finishing your first 5K!)
Above all, it's important to Make It Fun! We're encouraging all of our staff to come out for some fresh air, some time away from our roles at Escents, and walk/run/shuffle the 5K and we are going to have a blast. Please consider joining us.
In the spirit of community, what tips do you have for new runners? Please share your thoughts; we'd love to hear what you have to say.
Life According to Escents Dads - Part 2
Posted by Escents on 6/19/2011
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Happy Father's Day! This is our follow up post where our staff answers the question, "What's the best piece of advice your Dad ever gave you?" Enjoy your day with yours! My Dad's given me lots of useful and often hilarious advice. Things from "it's probably not a good idea to burst out in laughter during a serious meeting with the VPs of AMD," to "Don't overestimate your puddle-jumping abilities while jogging with people you want to impress." The one that's really stuck out recently, though, is "Always remember that a car is an expense, not an investment." My Dad is pretty awesome. Eve, Victoria My dad has a lot of wisdom to offer. Although the truth may not always sound the best, he doesn’t shield me from the harsh reality but rather wants me to be a strong woman that can be independent. The biggest lesson my dad has taught me is that “there is no free lunch,” something so simple yet so important. I’m taught to work for what I want rather than expecting it to be offered to me on a silver platter. This keeps me grounded as a person, knowing that everything I possess came from a good effort of my own. Hope, Richmond "When I was around 7 years old, my father had tried to get me interested in taking up a martial art. At the time, for some reason, I wasn't interested. Several years later, I took up fencing as a teenager, which was followed by Jiu-jitsu, which then resulted in an 18-year love affair with the martial arts. I only wish I had jumped on it when my father first tried to introduce it to me. Nevertheless, my father has always encouraged me in my training since then. He was always the one cheering the loudest at fencing tournaments (often to my embarrassment), and the first to brag about me when I earned my first black belt. I have since become a full-fledged instructor running my own Jiu-jitsu school in Richmond, BC. The accompanying picture is a class photo from the day my father came and actually tried training in my class for the first time." Lori, Head Office  - Lori (centre) with her Dad behind her.
I don't remember a lot of official pieces of advice from my Dad, aside from "look out for that guy!" when he was teaching me to drive and things like that, but I know I've learned a lot from him by watching him. Through example, he's taught me: put your family first and choose them every day; if you love someone, then tell them whenever you can; be grateful for every day (he often wakes up and says, "I'm above ground, it's a good day!"), live one day/hour/minute at a time; and hockey teams play better if you cheer for them loudly. My Dad's one of my heroes and I am so very happy that he's mine. Happy Father's Day (I forgot to send you a gift, so you're reading it...) Tara, Head Office  - Tara's Dad
And finally, we have a short letter from Jacqui (founder of Escents) to her beloved Dad. All of us at Escents know him well and are quite used to seeing his helpful face in our stores, and she quite eloquently shared her thoughts with him for this post: Dear Dad, For all the times you encouraged me to do the right thing, shake it off and get on with it, don’t have regrets or look back, what is done is done…. Your advice and support have gotten me through a lot. Happy Father's day to a guy who really is the best dad in the world. Thanks for teaching me the ropes! Things that are my dad… Crazy, Fun, Thoughtful, Generous to a fault, Honest, Caring, Supportive All of these you are dad. I love you and have learned to be human because of all you are. Jacqui, Escents President & Founder  - Jacqui's Dad
Life According to Escents Dads - Part 1
Posted by Escents on 6/13/2011
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When Mother's Day was approaching, we wrote about our Moms, and in honour of Father's Day on June 19th, we will be sharing some stories from our staff about the best pieces of advice our Dads ever gave us. Here is the first installment: My Dad is a very strong and motivated man who goes after what he wants and that is the reason why he has accomplished so much. He is a loving and caring father who has taught both my sister and I many things that will stock with us. The best advice that my Dad has ever given me is something that I try to live by and use everyday: "there are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened. What type of person do you want to be?" It is a question he asks me all the time and it what inspires me to do my best in whatever I take on. My Dad has played a huge role in the person I have become and that is something I will be forever thankful for. Nikki, Coquitlam Centre  - Nikki and her Dad
The best advice my Dad gave me was about marriage: don't marry someone expecting them to change because it won't happen. Marry someone who can talk because looks fade. Jessica, Victoria  - Wee Jess and her Dad
 - Jessica and her Dad on her wedding day (to a great guy who talks and is also pretty cute!)
Ever since my family has immigrated to Canada, I only got the chance to see my Dad once a year due to the fact that he needs to stay in Hong Kong for work to support the family. My Dad treats me like a princess and always tries to provide me the best. During my toughest times in terms of schooling and life wise, he always provided me with unconditional support. One of the most influential advices that he has given me is to “never give up”! He said, if I am not as intelligent as others, then I should put extra time and effort into reaching my goal. I took this advice from him which has led me to a person who is now always willing to try and willing to learn with full commitment. Kathy, Richmond  - Kathy with her Dad
Stopping to Smell the Roses... in Turkey!
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 6/6/2011
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If you follow Escents on Facebook, you may have noticed all the pics I've been posting of my study trip to Turkey with our franchise partners in Taiwan. I'm back in Vancouver now, and can't help but think, 'Wow, what a trip it's been!' Our primary destination was the rose farm where we were all going to witness and learn about the distilling process of Rose Essential Oil. But the farm was way off the beaten path, so we visited a number of Turkey's cultural destinations so we could appreciate the history and traditions of the nation as well. Once we got through all the travel craziness of actually getting to Turkey with late flights, missed connections, missing luggage, and of course, jetlag, we finally got to Turkey and began our journey. Dwelling in Ancient & Modern Caves After meeting up with Escents' Taiwan partners and tour group, we all hopped on a bus and drove up through a very rural and remote countryside area of Turkey. Our first night was spent in a hotel that is called "Cave" hotel. Yes, it is a cave and yes, it is a hotel. In this area, the soil easily erodes to create caverns. These caverns, when re-enforced, can be inhabited, like the hotel we stayed in. The next day, we set out to see the fairy caves and underground cities of Cappadocia. Carved out in the 7th and 8th centuries, these vast dwellings were where Christians were forced to hide from invading Arabs. Exploring these caves and viewing them from waaaay up above in a hot air balloon was truly a magical experience!  - Hallway of Our "Cave" Hotel
 - Fairy Cave Church
A Look at How Rose Oil is Made Our next stop brought us to the rose farm to witness the process by which Rose Essential Oil is made. The remote area in Turkey win which the farm we visited was situated is a perfect location for rose harvest with a climate of gentle sunshine, ensuring minimum release of the aromatic ingredients from the flower. When we first walked into the factory, the smell was absolutely intoxicating. The smell of roses was everywhere, in the gardens, in the factory, in the storehouse, everywhere! We were given a thorough tour of the gardens and the factory. It was amazing to see how rose oil all comes together from the growth of roses to their harvest to the steam distillation process that transforms the them into the oil we use every day.  - Rose Petals Entering the Distilling Process
 - Surrounded by Roses!
Putting It In Perspective Did you know that it takes 10,000 pounds of rose flowers to make a single pound of Rose Essential Oil? It's hard to imagine, but that's a LOT of flowers! I should know, having immersed myself in them, literally. It's no wonder why pure Rose oil is so expensive. This is why we offer both 100% Pure Rose Oil and 10% Dilute Rose Essential Oil, so it can be enjoyed whatever your budget is. And for those who simply want to enjoy the smell of roses, we also offer our Red Rose Essential Oil Blend, created to smell more like a rose when you sniff the actual flower. I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to visit Turkey, meet 35 of our Taiwan franchise partners, see the process of creating rose oil, and experience the culture surrounding this remote farm and the nation it calls home. But you don't need to go all the way to Turkey to make a connection to that part of the world, or any other part for that matter. The plants of the world unite us all. And essential oils, the purest essences of plants, give us the opportunity to get in touch with parts of the world we may never see through the power of scent, every day of our lives. This is but one of the ways that me and all of Escents' Taiwan partners are dedicated to giving back to the world, providing the opportunity for everyone to "Feel Good... Naturally." Jacqui MacNeill
Tales from Turkey
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 5/27/2011
to Culture
Some updates on Escents President & Founder Jacqui MacNeill's trip to Turkey.
What We Love at Escents - Part 4
Posted by Escents on 2/14/2011
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This is part 4 of our special Valentine's Day series, in which we ask our staff to tell us what they love in their lives so you can get to know your Escents Aromatherapy team a little better, and be inspired to think of what's on your own list.
What We Love at Escents – Part 2
Posted by Escents on 2/6/2011
to Culture
This is part 2 of our special Valentine's Day series in which we ask our staff to tell us what they love in their lives so you can get to know your Escents Aromatherapy team a little better, and be inspired to think of what's on your own list.
What We Love at Escents - Part 1
Posted by Escents on 2/2/2011
to Culture
As a special Valentine's Day series, we are asking our staff to tell us what they love in their lives so you can get to know your Escents Aromatherapy team a little better, and be inspired to think of what's on your own list.
Introducing Away Essential Oil Blend
Escents introduces Away Essential Oil Blend, created by Samantha from Escents Richmond, a winning citrus-based energizing blend from our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics contest.
Escents Planting Day
Escents staffers plant an aromatherapy garden at the Strathcona Community Garden in Vancouver.
Lavender Adventures - Part 2
Posted by Escents on 8/18/2010
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Escents Staffers Tara and Nina compare English Lavender with the French variety used mostly in Escents products at a Vancouver Island Lavender farm.
Lavender Adventures - Day 1
Posted by Escents on 8/10/2010
to Culture
Escents Staffers Tara and Nina venture out to Vancouver Island to start their Lavender farm adventure.
EYA-Escents Initiatives in Development
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 8/5/2010
to Community
Escents President and Founder Jacqui MacNeill in conjunction with EYA (Environmental Youth Alliance) brainstorms ideas on how they can work together to foster understanding of how plants play an integral role in our lives.
Introducing Air Essential Oil Blend
Posted by Escents on 7/19/2010
to Products
Escents Victoria Manager Dawn Hartshorne shares her inspiration behind Air, her winning essential oil blend from the recent Escents Aromatherapy contest.
An Interview with Jacqui MacNeill
Posted by Escents on 7/6/2010
to Culture
An interview with Founder Jacqui MacNeill about the history and vision behind Escents Aromatherapy, as well as her personal habits in using essential oils.
Introducing Time Essential Oil Blend
Escents Broadway manager Jenny Lo shares her inspiration behind Time, the winning essential oil blend she created for our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics.
Introducing Faith Essential Oil Blend
Escents Staffer Dawn Hartshorne explains how she came up with her creation, Faith Essential Oil Blend, a winning blend from our recent Escents Aromatherapy Olympics contest.
Aromas from Nature - 100% Phthalate Free
Jacqui MacNeill discusses the potential dangers of products containing phthalates, an ingredient not found in Escents collections but in many common household products.
What We Love at Escents - Part 3
Posted by Jacqui MacNeill on 2/9/2010
to Culture
This is part 3 of our special Valentine's Day series, in which we ask our staff to tell us what they love in their lives so you can get to know your Escents Aromatherapy team a little better, and be inspired to think of what's on your own list.
Escents Announces Partnership with David Suzuki Foundation
Escents Aromatherapy is excited to announce its Escents Earth initiative, a commitment to transform itself through a variety of activities into an even more "green and eco-friendly" company. To launch Escents Earth, Escents is proud to recognize a new partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, one of the world's leading conservation organizations.
Since 1990, the David Suzuki Foundation has worked to encourage ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. The Foundation uses science and education to promote solutions that conserve nature, with the goal of helping to achieve sustainability within a generation. For the month of May, 5% of all sales of the Escents Naturals Collection will be donated to the David Suzuki Foundation. Escents is increasing our existing commitment for a greener world for three major reasons:- we believe that being eco-friendly is critical to future generations
- we desire to be socially responsible in support of the communities we live in
- our customers value and protect the Earth around them
Escents is an earth-friendly, cruelty-free company whose products are:- cruelty free
- paraben free
- phosphate free
- biodegradable
- free from synthetic dyes
- petroleum free
- safe to use for anyone - babies, children and adults
- all products contain essential oils
We will be sharing more information about our green activities as further plans are developed.
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