Perfumes Los Angeles: 25 Years of Fragrance Excellence

Every great story has a beginning that shapes everything that follows. 

For Perfumes Los Angeles, that beginning stretches back to the docks of Dubai, through the bustling streets of Mumbai, to the flea markets of New York, and finally to the heart of Los Angeles. It's a story of a father's determination, a family's resilience, and a legacy that continues to create opportunities for others. 

Today, we're sharing this journey with you – not just as a business story, but as a testament to what's possible when you believe in dreams and never give up.

The Beginning: Where Dreams Took Root

Picture Dubai, 1972. At the Port of Jebel Ali, a young man named KK Roowala balanced carefully on narrow planks between ships and shore, carrying sixty pounds of grain on his back.

Between loads, KK studied the patterns of trade, watching which cargo sold highest and which businesses thrived. He began making connections with merchants, offering to broker deals. His initiative paid off. 

Soon, he went from day laborer to broker, keeping 10% of the business he brought to the table. It was a small start, but it was something.

From Setbacks to New Beginnings

With his savings from Dubai, KK returned to Mumbai to start a construction business. But fate had other plans. A trusted partner's betrayal cost him everything he'd built. It was a moment that could have broken many, but KK remembered his mother's wisdom: "Move on and make your way in America."

The New York Chapter

The Roowala family arrived in New York with renewed determination. Their new beginning started in the pre-dawn hours at local flea markets in Queens. Every morning at 5 AM, KK, his wife, and their children would load their car with fragrances, heading out to set up their small stand. Rain or shine, they were there, arranging their bottles with care, building relationships with customers one interaction at a time.

Their dedication paid off. From that humble flea market stand grew their first store on Broadway and 28th Street – one of only five fragrance businesses in the area at the time. But as success grew, so did competition. Eventually, they found themselves competing with 250 other businesses in the area.

A Bold Move West

When the New York market became saturated, the Roowalas made another bold decision – moving to Los Angeles. They opened the first fragrance store in a West Coast mall, and slowly but surely, one store became eleven.

The Next Generation: KB's Journey

From age 14, KB Roowala immersed himself completely in the business, transforming inheritance into passionate stewardship. Those early mornings at the flea market weren't just about selling fragrances; they were lessons in life, business, and values. In those quiet moments setting up their stand, his father would share stories of his journey, teaching KB the importance of treating every customer with genuine care and respect.

When KB took over Perfumes Los Angeles in 2014, he carried these lessons with him. But he also brought a new vision – one that would multiply the opportunities his family had found. Today, that vision has helped over 1,500 entrepreneurs start their own fragrance businesses, many of them first-generation immigrants just like his father.

The PLA Legacy Today

What started as a family's dream has grown into something extraordinary. Today, our story continues through the lives we touch and the relationships we build. Nearly 57% of our customers prefer shopping in-store, not just because of our selection, but because of the experience we create. Our team, fluent in both Spanish and English, ensures that everyone who walks through our doors feels at home.

KK Roowala’s legacy of treating each customer like a family lives on in everything we do:

• Curating over 4,000 authentic fragrances: from designer classics to niche luxury scents.

• Maintaining the highest standards of quality and authenticity.

• Offering fair prices that make luxury accessible to all.

• Providing expert guidance from our passionate team.

But perhaps our proudest achievement is continuing his mission of creating opportunities for others. Today, that vision has become reality through:

• Partnerships with over 1,500 entrepreneurs building their own businesses.

• A thriving community where 40.5% of our partners order twice or more monthly.

• Success stories range from 5-item starter orders to $20,000 monthly purchases.

• Minimum 30% profit margins for our partners.

This growth isn't just about numbers – it's about people. 

Our community of 30,000+ annual customers and our perfect 5-star rating from over 1,900 reviews on Facebook tell the story of trust built over generations. Each review represents a personal connection, a dream supported, a relationship nurtured – just as KK taught us from those early days in the flea markets.

More Than Just Fragrances

Each bottle on our shelves tells a story of possibility, echoing the same potential KK discovered on those Dubai docks. The same dreams he carried to America, the same determination that turned a flea market stand into LA's largest fragrance store. 

While 25 years of business deserves celebration, we truly commemorate the tapestry of stories, dreams, and successes you've helped us create. We're celebrating 25 years of your stories, your dreams, and your successes.

Be Part of Our Story

We invite you to become part of this continuing legacy. Whether you're:

• Searching for your signature scent among our carefully curated collection.

• Start your own business with our proven partnership model.

• Building your fragrance collection with expert guidance.

• Or taking your first steps into the world of fine fragrances.

Our doors are open, just as they have been for the past 25 years. Our team is ready to share their expertise, their passion, and the warmth that has made us LA's favorite fragrance destination for over two decades.

Visit us at our perfume store in the heart of Los Angeles. Experience the warmth of a family business that's grown through three decades of caring for our community, one customer at a time. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you write your own chapter in this ongoing story.

When you walk through our doors at Perfumes Los Angeles, you step into a legacy spanning generations.

Come visit us today and become part of our story.

AZ Roowala

Executive Manager, Perfumes Los Angeles

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AZ is a fragrance expert with over 17 years of experience at Perfumes Los Angeles. Specializing in retail and wholesale operations, he offers personalized advice and builds trust through honesty. With a deep understanding of industry trends and customer needs, he is a trusted leader in the world of fragrances.