Dare to Disrupt
Dare to Disrupt 50th Episode LIVE: Disrupting the Fragrance Industry with Asia Grant
This special 50th episode of the Dare to Disrupt podcast was recorded live at the Smeal College of Business. It features a compelling conversation with Asia Grant—creative entrepreneur, content creator, and founder of Scent Social Club. Through its Nolita Perfume Tour, Scent Social Club offers an immersive experience that helps participants discover their signature fragrance. An award-winning perfumer, Asia has spent hundreds of hours researching, developing, and sourcing fragrances. She is also the founder of Redoux, a New York City–based fragrance and skincare company.
Asia and Ryan discuss her pursuit of prestige alongside a deeper mission to become the person she was meant to be, her experience balancing a full-time role at IBM while building Redoux in her parents’ basement during the pandemic, and how she strategically built a network in New York City’s beauty industry. They also explore supply chain challenges, the inspiration behind Scent Social Club, social media strategy, and more.
At the top of the episode, enjoy a bonus fireside chat between host Ryan Newman and Penn State Smeal College of Business Dean Corey Phelps, recorded live to kick off the event. They reflect on key lessons and takeaways from the first 49 episodes of the podcast, discuss different approaches to problem-solving, and explore concepts from Dean Phelps’ book, Cracked It! How to Solve Big Problems and Sell Solutions Like Top Strategy Consultants.
This episode and live event was sponsored by the Smeal College of Business, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, and OriginLabs.
Episode Chapters
0:00:00 – Fireside Chat with Smeal Dean Corey Phelps: Problem-solving, Innovation, and Disruption
0:26:38 – Asia Grant – Fearless from the Start: Public Speaking and Big Goals
31:47 – Why Penn State: Networks, Opportunities, and Growth
38:19 – Chasing Prestige to Betting on Herself as a Student
45:26 – The Motivation and Fear That Fueled Her Creativity
46:50 – No Job Offers, No Problem: Building Her Own Beauty Brand
51:44 – Networking Her Way to Revenue and Recognition in New York
59:43 – When to Pivot: Reinventing After Supply Chain Setbacks
1:07:59 – Audience Q&A: Advice and Insights on Building Partnerships and Managing Social Media
The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.
