We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Gariepy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I think of risk as a necessity. No, it isn’t the most comfortable thing, but sitting still and stagnating is even more uncomfortable. My perfuming journey started in Pandemic-ridden 2020, when I took the leap of enrolling in classes at The Perfumer’s Studio in Hollywood. It wasn’t a small financial investment, but each risk, signing up for the curriculum, and later committing to the professional-level workshop, brought me closer to what I really wanted. After finishing that training, I was like, dang, I actually have to do this thing, don’t I?

Not long after, while working from home in a digital media job I had been at for years, I hit a breaking point and turned to drafting my business plan. In that moment, a bird literally flew into my house. I walked over to the window where it was struggling to escape and put out my finger. The bird landed there and stared at me—a strange, silent exchange that felt like a sign. Minutes later, my boss Slacked me and told me I was going to be laid off. To me, it was the universe saying: you have no excuse but to take this risk and build the thing you believe in. Every meaningful step I’ve taken since has come from moments like that—choosing risk over comfort, and trusting what might unfold.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started Bodi Botanica with the idea of creating nature-inspired fragrances for people who don’t connect with mass-market scents, and that’s still at the heart of my work. But along the way, I realized I’m a people person. I love creating experiences as much as I love creating perfumes. That’s why I’ve expanded into teaching workshops and holding immersive scent experiences for weddings, brand launches, corporate retreats, and team-building events. I also partner with wellness practitioners, designing custom scents that support their therapeutic practices and give clients something lasting to take home. For me, it’s about using scent not just as a product, but as a bridge between people, places, and moments.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Luckily, as a polyamorous person, i’ve done a lot of dating in this city. I like to call the places I’ve learned about through dating “poly pockets”. Little gems I never would have found if I didn’t open up my relationship back in 2019. Some favorite moments include, eating the pickled beet sandwich at Dune in Atwater, checking out a puppet show at Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater in Highland Park, camping at Chilao campground up the 2 (just 45 minutes from my doorstep), and getting a perfectly made cocktail at Good Housekeeping, also in Highland Park.

Lots of my favorite places are in Altadena, and unfortunately, because of the fires, some of those places are gone or inaccessible. Major shoutouts to hiking in Dawn Mine, having a beer at Rancho, and getting a slice of pizza at Pizza of Venice (which is in Altadena, not Venice).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A want to give a shoutout to the town of Altadena, CA, where I live. Right after I pressed the go button on starting Bodi Botanica, in January, 2025, the wildfires hit my town, hard. Fleeing, being displaced, watching my friend’s homes burn to the ground, it was awful. Not something you expect to happen to you in a million years. In the months since, I’ve watched my community care for each other. I’ve watched my neighbors show up for one another. This seismic event has changed the way I look at life. I now know first-hand, that something massive can come and upend your entire life at any moment, so taking control and leading that shift in a direction that pleases you is a must. I love you Altadreama.

Website: https://www.bodibotanica.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodibotanica/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-gariepy-2685792b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574666774697

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bodibotanica?lang=en

Image Credits
Documenting the Light: Josh Ballinger
Photos from Alo Yoga Summer Soiree in Beverly Hills
Daniella Mora @youhavemycamera

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.