Nicole
Eckels

Entrepreneur Nicole Eckels launched Sapphire Group (Glasshouse Fragrances) in 2006 with a spark of imagination and a belief in the power of fragrance to transform the everyday.

Since its launch over a decade ago, Glasshouse Fragrances has quickly grown to become the leading brand in the Australian fragrance market.

Current Work:

Nicole was born and raised in New York and began her career as a makeup artist and then moved into a career in Corporate sales. After a Sales role in San Francisco, Nicole decided she needed a more challenging outlet. She flew to the sunny shores of Australia with her son, looking for a sea change. It was in Australia that she found her 'true calling'. While shopping in a major department store for bath and body related products and Nicole couldn't find what she was looking for. Noting the high-end brands from Europe and non-fragranced, low-end brands, Nicole saw a clear gap in the market and, from a spark of imagination, Glasshouse Fragrances was born as both and brand but also as the makers of the products.

Glasshouse Fragrances officially launched in 2006 with triple scented candles after Nicole spent months researching, strategizing, and developing a business plan. Although Nicole had no knowledge of manufacturing, her drive, commitment, determination and entrepreneurial spirit were the essential ingredients to the company's quick growth. Glasshouse Fragrances quickly began to dominate the fragranced candle market.

By taking a unique approach and anonymously gifting potential stockists, Nicole soon established a wide distribution and has not looked back since. Glasshouse Fragrances is now a house hold name in Australia and has expanded the range of products to include eau de parfum, body lotion, shower gel, bar soap, fragrance diffusers and many more.

Sapphire Group's portfolio also includes Circa, a range of home fragrance-based products designed to meet the needs of every consumer. Glasshouse Fragrances and Circa combined are stocked in over 1000 doors in Australia and New Zealand.

Nicole maintains a hands-on role in the Sapphire Group as the company's CEO.