A Letter to Our Founder: Celebrating 40 Years of Camille Beckman

Dear Customers,

This month marks Camille Beckman’s 40th anniversary, and the birthday of my mother, Susan Camille, and my deceased grandmother, Joy Beckman.

Originally, I had written a ten-paragraph ode to the challenges of business; what it takes to stay in business for 40 years, the painstaking details and my many justifications built on product quality and the difficulties of US manufacturing. But then I realized: many amazing companies, fabulous visions and incredible products come and go. What keeps a company in business for 40 years is true LOVE and the EFFORT that ensues only when one truly loves something.

For me, this company is all about my mother. If it were not for Susan Camille, there would be no Camille Beckman, and there would be no love to attach my efforts to. We give our work so many hours of our lives; when we have the privilege of being able to give that effort to something we truly honor and love, it is indeed one of the greatest of privileges in this life.

My mother taught me taste beyond measure. She has immaculate taste, but is simultaneously a simple woman. From her, I’ve learned beauty isn’t about the newest trend, but the love and craftsmanship behind it.

When I speak of beauty, I don’t refer simply to one’s face. I am referring to every detail of our lives. From the plates we eat on to the lotion we wear, every part of our private and public lives offers space for beauty. People may wonder why it matters, and I often tell myself that if it must be done anyway, let us do it with attention to beauty, detail and care. We must eat on a plate each day, so why not enjoy grandmother’s China and truly appreciate its journey and beauty? We must choose an ailment for dry skin; why not make one that feels like silk, makes our skin feel like silk, and has a fragrance we will enjoy each and every day?

When it comes to Susan Camille, the beauty is in the ‘doing’. My grandmother was like this too. They expect you to do your best, and smile whilst doing it. Creation requires effort and love.

Perhaps this is why we have been able to grow in new and unexpected ways this year, despite the competitiveness of the beauty industry. We aren’t really in it for ‘the game’. Truly, when I question why I chose to continue my family’s business, I can only think of and thank my mother, and the women who came before her.

Susan Camille instilled in me, and I think in many of us, a true love for fragrance and where each fragrance story can take us. Every note is something to uncover, and life itself is a chance to constantly learn and create beauty from the mysteries of smell, taste and touch. I hope at least one of my own children has the same love for story telling, fragrance compounding and American manufacturing my mother has passed down to me.

Since I’ve taken over, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’m grateful my family, and all of you, have been patient with me. In all I do, I try to stay consistent with Susan’s vision. In a world where tastes and memories are constantly changing, it can be hard to balance her classic, enduring and impeccable taste with modern desires. I hope in our new collections, you feel these worlds have been properly balanced and executed. We are lucky to have customers with such high expectations and standards; it is an honor to serve humans who care for the fine, small details life has to offer.

Thank you for a lovely 40 years. We hope to serve you for 40 more years to come, and as always, we appreciate you more than you can imagine. Without you, none of this is possible.

Roshan