Ela Essentials: Scents to boost productivity

CEBU, Philippines — A young Cebuana entrepreneur has launched an essential oil aroma therapy company to help companies boost their productivity levels.

Mikaela Pacubas, whose family business is into establishment care, the Pacubas General Services Inc., developed the brand “Ela Essentials” to stimulate the need for companies to adapt the fast growing scent marketing particularly in advanced economies like United States and Europe.

"We want to encourage business owners to make use of scents as an effective tool to drive success," said Pacubas, whose newly formed brand operates under the umbrella of the group's Surebright Manufacturing Industries Inc.

Pacubas learned that scent plays a crucial role in boosting productivity in the workplace as pleasant odors have a variety of positive effects on people's behavior.

Based on scientific studies, scent or aroma therapy improves focus and memory at the same time reduces stress and boosts energy, that’s why big and successful companies have recognized the big contribution of setting the mood in the workplace.

“Scents are often used in retail outlets to entice customers to frequently visit them and shop more,” she added.

In workplaces, scents help improve job performance as employees get more inspired to work and less likely take absences.

The power of aroma therapy is also widely used in spas to make clients feel relaxed and at peace.

In the Philippines, according to Pacubas, the adaption of companies to aroma therapy in the workplaces or in the retail shops is still in its infancy. Unlike, the US and Europe this type of industry is already mature.

Ela Essentials aims to be at the forefront of scent marketing in the Philippines to help elevate businesses and other platforms come up with the right environmental design and ambiance to drive revenue Ela Essentials provides complete services such as replenishment of essential oils, equipment installation and maintenance.

At present, Ela's corporate clients are hotels, restaurants, small office, spas and business process management companies, among others.

Ela Essentials offers 12 kinds of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, sandalwood, Lily of the valley and others.

Looking forward, the brand plans to expand its product line, such as offering fusion oils and customized scents for those that want to translate their brands to signature smells.

The Pacubas family has been in the industry of establishment care for 68 years with Pacubas General Services Inc. providing manpower, building and property maintenance for 53 years and Surebright Manufacturing for providing janitorial, industrial and commercial products for industry, personal and car care.

She assured that their raw materials are sustainably sourced and procured from responsible supplier provenances with ingredients sourced from different places like Spain and the Middle East.

Besides growing big in Cebu, Pacubas said they will make the brand accessible to key cities in the country including Manila.