Matthew Sánchez, a graduate of UCLA, is making waves in the fragrance industry as the founder and CEO of Matteo Parfums. Drawing inspiration from his diverse heritage and the innovative spirit of fictional character Iron Man, Sánchez is not only establishing a brand but also pioneering unique scents that reflect his personal narrative and cultural background.
Sánchez graduated in 2017 with a degree in applied mathematics and chemistry, along with minors in global studies and entrepreneurship. He considers himself a first-generation college graduate and aims to be a role model as one of the youngest Black male and Latino perfumers in the United States. His journey began with a challenging apprenticeship that required determination and resilience. He sent out over 100 cold emails to secure a position under a mentor who had deep expertise in the field, having trained at the prestigious ISIPCA, a renowned perfume studies institute in France.
“I learned so many foundational fragrance best practices, concepts and lessons from her,” Sánchez expressed, reflecting on his apprenticeship experience. The rigorous training involved categorizing ingredients, understanding scent profiles, and the intricate process of creating fragrances. He compared the act of creating a scent to composing music, where each note contributes to the final symphony.
Sánchez’s entrepreneurial venture, Matteo Parfums, officially launched in March 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted him to postpone the launch, allowing him to refine his first fragrance, Celadawn. This scent is deeply personal to him, featuring ingredients sourced from various regions, including Africa, California, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. Notably, he introduced the industry’s first “horchata amber” accord, inspired by the traditional Mexican drink that carries significant meaning from his childhood.
The ethos of Matteo Parfums centers on what Sánchez describes as “imaginative inclusivity.” He aims to blend childhood inspiration with adult sophistication, ensuring that his fragrances tell stories that resonate with diverse consumers. His second creation, Lovers’ Dew, reflects this philosophy, presenting a modern interpretation of an Aztec or Mayan aquatic fragrance.
As the business continues to expand, Sánchez achieved a significant milestone when Matteo Parfums became the first fragrance company to receive one of L’Oréal’s $200,000 Beauty Fund grants. This recognition highlights the potential of his innovative approach in a traditionally Eurocentric industry.
In addition to his fragrance business, Sánchez is also venturing into health technology with a startup called Eroma Health. Inspired by his father’s diagnosis with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, he is exploring scent-based disease detection and management. Sánchez’s research revealed that certain diseases have identifiable scents, prompting him to investigate how olfactory cues could be used in early detection methods.
“I took it upon myself to explore this uncharted territory,” he stated. His initiative recently garnered attention at Bruin Founders, a mentorship program by UCLA Ventures, where he pitched his health-tech concept.
Reflecting on his path, Sánchez acknowledges the non-linear journey he has taken since graduating. He credits his time at UCLA for providing him with the grounding and inspiration to pursue his passions.
“What great adventure ever was a straight line?” he noted. Today, he finds himself traveling globally, sharing his story, and advocating for the potential of scent in both the fragrance and health industries.
With passion and creativity driving him, Sánchez aspires to be a real-life version of Iron Man for the fragrance world. His work not only challenges industry norms but also seeks to enrich lives through the power of scent.