Growing up, Detroit native Blake Hare has always loved smelling good. People always complimented him on how he smelled and he never forgot. In fact, that was one thing he said that built his confidence as a man.
After graduating from college in 2016, Hare wasn’t quite sure what he was going to do. But he knew he wanted to be able to give back to his community, the youths, and help build Black men up in any way that he could. So, in 2017, Hare begin, little by little, designing a fragrance that would not only radiate in a room but help the man wearing it radiate too.
It took him three years to get his fragrance exactly the way he wanted. But when he was ready to launch, the world was in the middle of a pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak in the U.S. He wondered how he would even be able to get people’s attention in the midst of all of that. And that scared him, he said. But it also strengthened his resolve to push harder.
“We were in the wake of a crisis among Black people,” Hare said. “George Floyd had just been killed by a police officer and the world saw it, not to mention the many other Black men being gunned down in the streets like animals by police. And I knew that was breaking our confidence … and that was when I realized, I now have a Black son of my own and the time to start building his confidence is right now.
So the 28-year-old with sweating palms and mind racing began to type these words on his phone into an Instagram post: “The name matches the bottle and the smell compliments the luxury of the name, Superb.” He pressed share and before he knew it, the post had been re-shared over 100 times.
The day before Father’s Day 2020, he launched Superb for Men and the rest is history. Now he wants to build your confidence one bottle at a time.
N’DIGO is happy to introduce you to Blake Hare and his incredibe (smelling) fragrances Superb for Men and Superb for Her. It’s time for you to step up your condidence level……
N’DIGO: Before we start, tell us a little bit more about yourself.
You graduated from Western Michigan University in 2016. What was your
major?
Blake Hare: Yes, I did; I received my Bachelors of Science in Business
Management with a minor in marketing and general business.
How did you get into creating fragrances?
After graduating from WMU and even prior to going to college, I always
knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and own a business. The
question over the years was always “What product to create?” I
chose fragrance because of everything it entails as a product. From
the scent to packaging, to the bottle design, the most intriguing part is the unforgettable memories a scent can create. To create a product that can evoke emotion from consumers has an opportunity to be around for the marathon.
When did you know you wanted to become a perfumer?
Before I took a deep dive into fragrances, like learning about
the notes, the right colors to portray, and putting it all together, I
never knew there was a label for it. But I guess that does make me a
perfumer then, and I would say 2016, I knew.
How did you get your interest in the perfume industry?
My interest came from my lifestyle and who I am as a person.
Growing up fashion was a huge part of my upbringing. And as I got
older, the fragrance became the finishing touch on what I wore. I’ve
always had a keen nose for (superb) smell, and an entrepreneurial spirit. I knew that was the realm I belonged in.
Have you ever doubted that decision?
Never. This feels less like work because it’s just me giving a piece of myself into every product. I believe that’s why the response has been so strong for Superb because the product is truly genuine.
Did you have a mentor?
I didn’t have a mentor, nor do I have one now. But, I’m hoping I meet the right person for that position in my life very soon.
What is your inspiration behind Superb for Men?
My inspiration comes from wanting to create something that emulates
confidence and provides luxury to every customer. I’m a confident person, and I know luxury evokes a particular emotion out of everyone, making them feel Superb. I want to inject that same Superb feel into the world thru my product. In my opinion, having a product that represents you gives a slight advantage to impact the world because you are never alone in how you feel or how something
makes you feel.
When did you create Superb for Her?
I started working Superb for Her at the top of the calendar year but always had the intention to release a women’s fragrance. I tested the waters when I released Superb for Men on Father’s Day 2020. Every day was a learning process – proper application in order to create the brand that I envisioned.
Superb for Her wasn’t unfamiliar territory in terms of how to make it but of course, I have/had to market it differently.
It launched on Black Friday (11/26/2021).
Are there be any additional products for your brands?
Yes, we have candles, working on body butter, goals to get into hand
soaps, lotions, shampoo, shaving cream, and even toothpaste! The whole
cosmetics world is attractive to me, and I know Superb can be a household
name in the industry.
What is the factor behind your success?
The most significant factor behind my success is my mentality. It has bred my resiliency and grit to persevere through anything thrown at me to focus on the bigger picture. Life has so many phases (of ups and downs), and I strongly believe that in order to reach success, your mentality is the frontrunner to become your greatest self.
Let’s talk about your support system. Any special shout-outs?
The biggest shout-out would go to my parents for instilling the right
values in me to be the best man I can be. These include traits
that transitioned me perfectly for entrepreneurship. A few qualities
that come to mind are accountability, leadership, and hustle.
But in the same breath, I have to tell my soon-to-be fiancée Ayana that “I love you and thank you for everything you do to support me, I know it isn’t easy but I appreciate you so much!”
How important is family to you?
Family is #1 for me; it’s the grounds of how I became who
I am. I’m the oldest of 2 younger brothers, and my first goal in life was
to make sure I can be a positive role model to them and show them all their dreams are possible to obtain. Most importantly, not to be a big brother who was just going thru the motions of life aimlessly. That mindset fostered my leadership and gives me permanent fuel to keep going. I will be the big brother forever.
I receive renewed fuel from my son Jaxon Hare, born May 6th, 2020. That day my fuel turned into Fatherhood. I can’t thank God enough for giving me the blessing of that title. Providing for my family and creating a legacy for generations to come has birthed a new fuel in me and I feel recharged and ready for the journey ahead!
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on releasing a 2nd fragrance for the
men’s line. It’s my goal to release a new scent every two years for
each fragrance (line). Also, look out for our body butter that has a target
release of Summer 2022.
What’s the golden rule you live by?
The golden rule I live by is to never become blind to your own vision,
regardless of whether someone else doesn’t see it. It doesn’t matter if it’s friends, family, or your significant other. Only you can envision where you want to be!
If you could have anyone endorse your fragrances, who would you
choose?
I would choose one of the most influential couples of all time, Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Hands down. I’m inspired by Jay-Z and how he has carried himself in the industry. The couple has created so many avenues of business and embodies black excellence, confidence, and luxury. Superb definitely fits the Carter’s. NO DOUBT!
A man is more than just his clothes. How essential is finding and wearing a
good fragrance?
It’s imperative. I view fragrances as a compliment to your
personality. So yes we are more than our clothes and finding that
perfect fragrance almost tells someone how you’re feeling today. A
luxurious event deserves a luxurious fragrance, a special evening
with your partner deserves a special fragrance, and celebrating
accomplishments deserves an accomplished fragrance. Superb is
your essential fragrance of luxury.
Some people think that wearing certain fragrances on a daily basis robs it of
its exclusiveness, which means that special occasion perfumes must not be
worn when running errands, and fruity perfumes need to hibernate during
winter. What is your stance on this subject?
I agree 1000%! Those some people are smart. (LOL) Especially once you get
into the fragrance levels like your Eau de Parfum (EDP), Eau de Toilette (EDT), and Eau de Cologne (EDC) and much more you’ll know how to properly use each. Superb is an EDP and not intended to be used as your “running your errands” scent. Granted, I would want to smell Superb everywhere I go but personally its meant to be on reserved for special occasions.
Is there a correct way to wear Superb for Men? And the worst way?
My motto for applying fragrance is 1 (for the money) so a spray for the
wrist, 2 (for the show) which would be to hit your wrist and then apply to your
neck and 3 (is for anybody who gets close) which is to apply on your
wrist and tap around on your clothing. You’re good to go and ready to
bless anyone who has the pleasure of being in your presence while
you’re wearing Superb.
Should one wear more or less?
For Superb less is more… it’s plenty of it.
Describe Superb for Men using three adjectives?
Angelic, Unforgettable, and Superb.
Where can N’DIGO readers find you and your products?
You can find our products online; which also list our in store
locations Detroit, California, and Chicago.
Visit www.superbforher.com and www.superbformen.com
On Instagram @superbforher and @superbformen
Sylvester Cosby is the Digital Editor and a Contributing Writer for N’DIGO.
