My real job is to make rebuilding sexier than destruction. I do this through perfume. Barb Stegemann The 7 Virtues, part of the 2017 Sephora Accelerate Cohort, creates aromatherapy scents with fair trade, organic essential oils and supports farmers in nations rebuilding after war or strife. The award winning social enterprise is launching a new Peace Perfume collection available exclusively online at Sephora May 2018 and at select Sephora stores across the USA beginning August 2018. The new line launched Sephora Canada February 2018 and is one of the top selling fragrances in its short time in stores. The 7 Virtues Peace Perfumes are hypoallergenic scents that are made with natural, organic and fair trade essential oils from Afghanistan, Haiti, India, Iran, Israel, Madagascar, and Rwanda. The new Peace EDP collection includes seven scents that are free of: Phthalates Parabens Formaldehyde UV inhibitors Sulfates All are scents are: Vegan Cruelty-free Infused with organic sugar cane alcohol The 7 Virtues was founded by entrepreneur, human rights activist and author Barb Stegemann in 2010 after her best friend was severely wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Taking on his mission of peace, Barb started purchasing legal orange blossom and rose essential oils from farmers in Afghanistan paying them twice what they could make selling the illegal poppy crop (used for heroin production). Since then, The 7 Virtues has expanded to seven countries. Stegemann s passion for helping farmers globally sparked international attention and led to the development of the critically acclaimed documentary Perfume War, which won Best Humanitarian Film at the Sedona Film Festival 2017 and Audience Choice at the Sonoma Film Festival 2017. The film, which follows two friends fight for peace, is now available on itunes. For more information about the collection and hi-resolution photos, visit http://www.the7virtues. com/new-media-page/.
Barb Stegemann Top Game Changer CBC's Dragons' Den CEO and Founder, The 7 Virtues Best Selling Author of The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen Barb Stegemann s entrepreneurial vision was formed after her best friend a soldier was severely wounded in Afghanistan. Understanding that supporting Afghanistan s economy was key to building stability for its people, Stegemann created The 7 Virtues, a company that sources organic, fair trade essential oils from countries experiencing turmoil (such as Afghanistan, Haiti the Middle East and Rwanda). Despite addressing complex global matters in her talks, Stegemann uses humour to explain how individuals can use business for good and effect change, both at home and worlds away. Stegemann became known to millions of Canadians when she became the first woman from Atlantic Canada to land a venture-capital deal on the CBC TV show Dragons Den (The equivalent of Shark Tank in the USA) for The 7 Virtues Beauty. She went on to become the "Top Game Changer" in the history of the show for creating her social enterprise. Since then, Stegemann has been named one of Canada s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada; won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the emerging Entrepreneur category for Atlantic Canada ; was ranked as one of Profit Guidemagazine's "Top 30 Cool and Fabulous Canadian Entrepreneurs"; and was also made the first female Honorary Colonel in the history of 14 Wing Greenwood base, Royal Canadian Air Force. As a keynote speaker, Stegemann has opened for Erin Brockovich, and is often invited to moderate panels and attend events as a delegate with world leaders such as Bill Clinton. She is the author of the bestselling book, The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, and the subject of the feature-length documentary Perfume War, directed by Michael Melski. The film tells Barb's entrepreneurial story, and has garnered many awards to date, including Best Humanitarian Film, Sedona Film Festival, Arizona and Vanguard Award for cutting edge ideas at the Artemis Women in Film Festival, Los Angeles 2018. A newsmaker, Stegemann has been featured in major media around the world including in The London Sunday Times,The Globe and Mail, The National Post, Tattler, and on CBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and more. Her Peace Perfume Collection is available at Sephora Canada and Sephora USA exclusively. She lives between the U.S. and Canada with her husband Mike and enjoys making massive family dinners from scratch for their adult children Taylor, Victor, Brett, Ella and their partners. For media inquiries please contact Victor Stegemann Victor@The7Virtues.com 902-446-0400 For media inquiries, please contact: Melody Serafino No. 29 Communications E: melody@thenumber29.com 413-531-0180
ORANGE BLOSSOM AFGHANISTAN Ethically sourced neroli natural essential oil from Afghanistan Relaxing in a fast paced life Lulling to a restful sleep A sense of harmony This peace perfume helps protect girls from forced marriage. Their fathers grow orange blossom crops to keep them safe from the illegal opium trade. This precious neroli essential oil travels on the most dangerous highway in the world to bring a brighter future to 1000 seasonal farmers and their families who benefit from our essential oil purchases. ROSE AMBER AFGHANISTAN Ethically sourced rose natural essential oil from Afghanistan Awakening and energizing Evoking a sense of well being Stimulating feelings of love and romance This perfume builds communities. Farmers earn twice the income with our rose essential oil purchases so they don t have to grow the illegal poppy crop. We pay $12,000 USD for one litre of rose oil so that 1000 seasonal farmers are liberated from the illegal opium traders. There are 178 hand picked petals in every bottle of Rose Amber.
VETIVER ELEMI HAITI Ethically sourced organic and fair trade Vetiver essential oil from Haiti. Creating a sense of calm and tranquility Refreshing and invigorating Creating a cooling sensation This perfume helps sustain farmlands devastated by the 2010 earthquake. Our farmers in Haiti are reducing soil erosion by harvesting Vetiver root. Over 2500 seasonal farmers receive fair wages and work in an organic environment. It is considered the best Vetiver in the world. Good for the world. Good for your skin. GRAPEFRUIT LIME ISRAEL AND IRAN Ethically sourced sweetie grapefruit essential oil from the Sharon Region of Israel with lime and basil essential oils from the Shiraz Region of Iran. Providing clarity and balance Creating Harmony Lifting Spirits This perfume promotes peace. A symbolic blend of essential oils from Israel and Iran represents hope for an end to a long conflict. When our founder moderated the panel on the Middle East at the German Marshall Fund she realized these world leaders got along and it was time for us as citizens to get loud with our love. Good for the world. Good for your skin.
PATCHOULI CITRUS RWANDA Ethically sourced organic and fair trade patchouli essential oil from Rwanda. Mood boosting Finding your zen Reducing tension This perfume helps restore dignity to survivors of the 1994 genocide. The patchouli harvest gives widows and adult orphans their economic independence. Over 150 farmers belong to a cooperative that provides a wage that is three times higher than the next crop of coffee. Empowering them to buy homes and school uniforms for their children. Good for the world. Good for your skin. JASMINE NEROLI INDIA Ethically sourced jasmine essential oil from India. Evoking positive emotions Overcoming temptation Meditation This perfume provides financial assistance that supports agriculture in India. It also fosters college programs for the blind to become perfumers. When one sense is weakened, another strengthens. Good for the world. Good for your skin.
VANILLA WOODS MADAGASCAR Organic, fair trade vanilla essential oil from Madagascar Alleviating stress Calming Soothing the overworked This perfume helps provide education and healthcare. Our fair trade, organic vanilla is sourced from a sustainable cooperative in Madagascar that provides families with fair wages. Good for the world. Good for your skin.
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