Sell Us Your Item
For a $0.49 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion [Hardcover]

Lisa Price , Hilary Beard
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.


Image
Save on Popular Books This Summer
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more.

Book Description

April 27, 2004
In this remarkable memoir, Lisa Price shares the extraordinary story of how she went from bankruptcy to successful entrepreneur—grossing more than two million a year while working from her very own Brooklyn home. Intoxicated by fragrance and scent even as a child, Lisa was famous among her friends for always smelling good. She never imagined that the oils she enjoyed mixing up for her own pleasure would give way to the hugely popular “Carol’s Daughter,” a luxurious, all-natural line of bath and beauty products.

How did a young black woman in financial straits, unable to get a business loan and deeply in debt, churn out a multi-million dollar enterprise? With $100 in cash, her own kitchen, and the simple notion that people should follow their hearts (which Lisa did by following her nose!) But first Lisa had to face down her demons—her fears about money, low self-esteem, and a history of failed relationships. But as she tackled each problem, her confidence soared and her business was unstoppable. She met her husband and business partner, began a family, and bought a large, beautiful space in her Brooklyn neighborhood to sell her products—favorites like Honey Pudding, Mango Body Butter, and Jamaican Punch that stars such as Halle Berry, Erykah Badu, Maya Angelou, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Rosie Perez buy religiously.

In Success Never Smelled So Sweet, Lisa Price charts her amazing journey in lively, down-to-earth stories about her childhood growing up in Brooklyn and the often unexpected “accidents” in the kitchen that led to her bestselling scents. From the early cultivation of her sensory gift through cooking with her Trinidadian grandmother to her painful years in a rigid school system where she was berated by teachers and bullied by kids, Lisa speaks tenderly and wisely about the subtle ways in which life can guide us to our inner truth—even as it throws out difficult obstacles along the way.

For any woman who has ever longed to leave the nine-to-five grind and work successfully from home, Lisa Price’s story is a must-read. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, life advice from her own mother, Carol, and the recipes for some of her best-loved products, Success Never Smelled So Sweet is a book to read by candlelight while soaking in a silky rose-milk bath.


Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The creator of Carol’s Daughter, a bath-and-beauty-products company, presents her life story, along with aromatherapy recipes, in this lightly enjoyable read. Price grew up in a loving, strict African-American family in Brooklyn and later pursued careers in singing and television. She also ran up huge credit card debt, and wound up owing the IRS tens of thousands of dollars—at 28, she was forced to declare bankruptcy. It’s undeniably fascinating to learn how, a few years later, she managed to start Carol’s Daughter with $100 in cash; she slowly built the company—without loans or credit—until she paid off her enormous debt. With such an honest and inspiring tale to tell, it’s unfortunate that Price devotes so much of her time to describing celebrities she’s met along her road to success. A brief encounter with Prince gets a whole page, for example, but her decision to declare bankruptcy takes up little more than a paragraph. Readers might also raise an eyebrow at Price’s repeated belief that "God is in my corner" and that He employs Oprah and other celebrities as messengers to ensure that Price’s business continues to thrive. While Price does seem to be unusually blessed, this materialistic spirituality undercuts a potentially empowering message about discipline and entrepreneurship. Stronger are her descriptions of her family; her mother, Carol, particularly stands out as an inspiration. She raised not just the author and her brother, but six more adopted children, all the while fighting chronic illness. Photographs.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Price, creator of Carol's Daughter, Inc., a line of bath and body care products, offers an inspirational story of overcoming low self-esteem and crushing debt to develop a successful business doing what she has always loved. Enamored of fragrances since childhood, when her grandmother filled the kitchen with recipes of her Caribbean heritage, Price struggled to overcome false starts and failed careers and relationships. Finally, her journey of self-discovery helped her realize that what she really loved and what she was good at doing could be developed into a viable enterprise. She put her considerable energy into concocting scents and selling them. Price intersperses her triumphant story of business success with recipes for food dishes and potpourri, as well as sound advice on repairing debt or troubled relationships, starting a business, and boosting self-esteem. Readers interested in starting businesses or aromatherapy will enjoy this encouraging book. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 240 pages
  • Publisher: One World/Ballantine; First Edition edition (April 27, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1400061091
  • ISBN-13: 978-1400061099
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,042 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

And the recipes and insights that she shares with you are so generous. thesavvybamalady  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Success Never Smelled So Sweet is the most inspiring and authentic book/memoir that I have read in a long time. The Good Girl Reviewers  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a remarkable story... June 29, 2004
Format:Hardcover
There is nothing in the world like seeing someone take a passion and making it into something that not only benefits them, but is a blessing to others as well. SUCCESS NEVER SMELLED SO SWEET is such a book, as it shares the life story of Lisa Price, the founder of Carol's Daughter, Inc., a line of bath and beauty products. To be able to read such a remarkable story is indeed a blessing that so many others are now able to receive. Through her memoir, we're able to see not only a glimpse into the growth and development of a million dollar empire, but also into the strength of one woman who chose to follow her dreams, despite hard times and obstacles along her path.

Lisa Price shares her early childhood in Brooklyn and her love for scents as she spent kitchen time with her Trinidadian grandmother. She gives the reader an inside look at the troubles she faced growing up, the problems in school as well as her inner turmoil with her self-esteem based upon what others were saying about her. Just when she feels she has hit the bottom as far as her professional life goes, she steps out on faith and though in major debt and unable to get a business loan, she starts her business. Lisa doles out anecdotes, recipes, and heart-breaks, all the while sharing a part of herself that is warm, inviting, and encouraging to those who may also have troubles finding their way in life. I particularly loved how she shared her products with people she worked with who later became very famous people; yet, she never seemed to change from the gracious and kind-hearted person she was. Additionally, she includes some of her favorite recipes as well as pictures through-out the book to give it more of an endearing quality about it.

Lisa Price's determination, passion, and drive for what she does slides off the pages of this book and into your very soul. This book is truly an inspirational story that anyone who reads will benefit from, as you are able to see that it was not until she let go of her fears, her self-doubt, and inability to break away from the past and move forward with what the future may bring that she was able to truly receive the blessings in store for her. There are exact passages and lines in this book that I felt were written by me on my own journey towards following my passion and entrepreneurship, things I could relate to so closely that they left me in tears. I give high praise and thanks to Lisa for sharing her story as well as to the person who referred this book to me as I'm one who normally do not read this genre. I don't recall any other book that I've ever read which has touched my life so much...

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Savor the Smell of Success And Be Inspired! October 20, 2004
Format:Hardcover
As one who truly believes in mind-body-spirit connection, I have always enjoyed aromotheraphy and natural skin and hair care products, as a result, when I discovered Carol's Daughter in an issue of Essence a few years ago--I was immediately smitten. At the time, of course I had no idea that Lisa Price was the beloved Lisa..Lisa...Lisa (says Oprah), I was just extremely drawn to the quality of her homemade products and the originality of her business concept. After reading Success Never Smelled So Sweet--I am so delighted that I followed my heart and supported such a positive and rewarding enterprise. Success Never Smelled So Sweet is the most inspiring and authentic book/memoir that I have read in a long time. In it you will follow the life of Lisa Price and her journey toward becoming the woman God created her to be. With persistence, personal reflection, and the ability to stay positive, overcome adversity, with the support of family and friends and much prayer, she took a hobby (creating homemade aromotheraphy products) and created a cult following. This book will remind you--and women everywhere to never give up and to follow your dreams, never money. Then money and success truly follows. How sweet success really is when you do what you love.

I loved this book--it has positively influenced my life as I continue on my journey toward fulfilling my dreams. Don't miss your chance to own a copy and buy a copy for a friend who has a dream brewing in her heart but lacks the courage or resources to act on them. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Reviewed by M. Lorraine for The GOOD GIRL Book Club www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The Sweetest Story November 27, 2006
Format:Hardcover
I had recently saw Lisa along with Jada Pinkett-Smith and Mary J. Blige on the Tyra Banks show. I was inspired by what Lisa said so I picked up this book I got 2 Christmases ago.

I read this book in less than 2 days. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It inspired me to pursue my passions even more. Lisa was real and raw in this book about the trials and tribulations she faced before she began a multi-millionare. From bankruptcy to deaths to success, Success Never Smelled So Sweet was a beautiful read to me.
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars So Inspiring!
I LOVED this book! Lisa takes you back to the very beginning of her journey, then through how she got started with her business, and where she is with it all today. Read more
Published 2 months ago by R L
4.0 out of 5 stars It was an interesting read.
It is always interesting to read about the life, challenges, and struggles of others. But mostly how they became successful in achieving their goals.
Published 3 months ago by Dee Dee
5.0 out of 5 stars Carols Daughter biography
The book was in very good condition and the information it contained were excellent for the purpose for which I read the book. All is well. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Liz
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
I enjoyed this book. I wasn't looking for a book on becoming an entrepreneur or anything. I just happened to find this in the non-fiction section and it caught my interest. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Yourstruly
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was really great!!!!
This book was really good. It told us about how Lisa Price, a low-income woman, who had bankruptcy, debt on top of debt, and no money, follow her dream that became a success today,... Read more
Published on March 8, 2011 by msbrittney
1.0 out of 5 stars my order never arrived
i cant review this book b/c it never arrived at its destination.
this is the first time a book i ordered on amazon did not arrive but there is a first time for everything
Published on March 27, 2010 by R. johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars wise and informative
this is a book of love& recipes for the soul& spiriti was one of the customers who used to shop in her brownstone i was introduced to her products by a friend at the time i would... Read more
Published on January 24, 2010 by S. JONES
4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read
I am the owner of a grass roots natural hair care company. I read this book for inspiration and direction and it lived up to most of my expectations. Read more
Published on May 25, 2008 by Tamara C. Thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars www.valderbeebeshow.com
Lisa Price; bath and pampering products; Carol's daughter. All are metaphors for her life. Her mother, Carol, left Lisa the gift of smell and the passion for aroma. Read more
Published on March 4, 2006 by Valder Beebe
4.0 out of 5 stars Women and Biz
Lisa Price gives a very honest and candid account of her insecurities and obstacles faced as she grows into a woman who is discovering herself as well as her dreams. Read more
Published on September 16, 2005 by Cynthia
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Listmania!


Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...


Create a guide


Look for Similar Items by Category